Ardmore rodeo raises money for first responders

Published 6:15 am Wednesday, July 25, 2018

Every summer about this time, residents in the state-line city of Ardmore start making plans to attend the Ardmore Police and Fire Rodeo. This year, the event is slated for Aug. 3 and 4 at John Barnes Park in Ardmore, Tennessee.

In addition to bareback riding, roping, steer wrestling, team roping, saddle bronc riding, cowgirl barrel racing and bull riding, local riders also get a chance to compete in the ranch bronc riding event.

According to rodeo producer Jim Bucker they introduced the event last year and it was a big hit. Unlike the standard saddle bronc riding event, the rules for ranch bronc riding are more lax. Riders can use both hands instead of one and ride on the saddle of their choice. Buckner owns Circle J & K Ranch, the bull riding company putting on the Ardmore rodeo.

“It (ranch bronc riding) allows your local cowboys to to enter,” Buckner said. “It’s popular because it gives them a chance to showcase their talents to the hometown crowd. The spectators love it.”

Prospect, Tennessee-based Circle J & K Cattle Ranch is sanctioned by the Southeastern Professional Rodeo Association. This year, Buckner said SPRA joined forces with Premier Bulls Tour to attract higher caliber bull riders to their sanctioned events, including the upcoming rodeo in Ardmore.

“With higher quality contestants the action is better, which we hope will draw more people in,” he said. “My goal is to put on the best performance we can.”

Last year about 250 contestants from across the Southeast competed at the Ardmore rodeo, and ticket sales generated nearly $20,000 for local first responders. According to Lt. David Posey, the two departments used the money to buy new equipment and pay the lease on a shared training facility.

Posey expects the event will bring in at least that much this year.

“The community and businesses in town supports this thing so well,” Posey said. “The rodeo saves a lot of tax money because it provides us the money to buy the equipment we need.”

On Tuesday, July 31, a street dance featuring the Southern Strays, free hot dogs, drinks and cotton candy will kick off the rodeo. Free to the public, the street dance will start at 6 p.m. at John Barnes Park

In addition to the two-day rodeo, local cowgirls will have the chance to compete in the Ardmore Rodeo Queen Contest, where they will be judged on personality, appearance and poise.

The winner of each division will be awarded a crown, sash and buckle with their title on it. The first and second runners up will receive trophies and there will also be a prize for horsemanship in each division. Miss Rodeo Queen Ardmore will be crowned during Saturday evening’s intermission.

Tickets to the rodeo can be purchased in advance at FNB Bank (formerly Peoples Bank), Adams Western Wear and Ardmore City Hall for $12 per adult ages 13 and older and $8 for children ages 5-12. Children under 5 get in free. Prices are higher at the gate. To enter the rodeo event or for more information, call the Ardmore City Police Department at 256-423-2146 or visit their Facebook page at Ardmore Police and Fire Rodeo.