And while there are plenty of side attractions to keep patrons interested, make no mistake about it - when the chutes open on the 83rd edition of the Belton Fourth of July PRCA Rodeo, the competition will steal the spotlight.
A total of 297 cowboys and cowgirls from eight states, New Zealand and Australia will compete tonight through Saturday at Bell County Expo Center. Each of the four performances begins at 7 p.m. and tickets are available at the door.
Of the almost 300 competitors, 40 are ranked in the top 25 of the PRCA’s Texas circuit and two are among the top 10 in the world rankings.
The Gatesville tandem of header Tommy Edens and heeler Coby Jones leads the state circuit’s team roping standings and the local cowboys are ranked seventh and sixth, respectively, in the world.
They also highlight a group of nine area competitors scheduled to ride during the four-day span, which will feature traditional rodeo events the first three performances and an entire night of bull riding on Saturday.
“Saturday night is what we call ‘Bullapalooza,’” rodeo coordinator Keith Smith said. “It will be all PRCA bull riding along with some junior bull riders. We’ll buck about 40 bulls.
“People like to see that stuff. It’s a really cool event because it’s man vs. beast.”
Little River’s Jason Stone is the only area cowboy entered in bull riding.
The area’s other competitors will be Jarrell’s Jason Cooper, Salado’s Ryan Dunlap and Killeen’s Billy Dean Adamson in team roping, and Rogers’ Sandra Richter, Rockdale’s Jennie Carter and Salado’s Shelly Lilley-Owen in women’s barrel racing.
Other cowboys of note will be team roper Dee Rampy (ranked No. 9 in the state circuit’s heeling standings) of Bertram, No. 7-ranked calf roper Bud Ford of Everman, No. 9-ranked bareback rider Jared Smith of Williston, Fla., and saddle bronc riders Justin Browning (No. 8) of Dublin and Bryan Hammons (No. 9) of Victoria.
The saddle bronc event will also feature Stephenville cowgirl Kaila Mussell-Goulet.
Throckmorton, who has called a Belton rodeo annually since 1988, will handle the announcing. David Bailey will provide the stock, and rodeo clown Donnie Landis will be the barrelman.
There will be a stickhorse grand entry prior to Thursday’s performance and the First Cavalry Division’s Horse Detachment be featured in a demonstration at 6:30 p.m. Friday.
edrennan@temple-telegram.com
