Rodeo finals shed light on sport

[Note: this story has been modified since its original posting.]

Sitting on top of a bucking horse, James Earl Carter has only a suitcase-type handle called a bareback riggin to hang on to. His other hand can’t touch the horse, or he will be disqualified and his efforts are wasted. He squeezes the horse’s neck with the heels of his boots, hoping to keep on top for just 8 seconds.

“There ain’t no other sport like it,” said Carter, 18, of Ellsinore on Wednesday night while watching video of one of his recent efforts.

He’s talking about rodeo.

Cowboys in rodeos take pride in putting on shows for spectators, especially Carter, who is into the rough-stock events like bull riding and bareback riding. People come to rodeos for the action. They want to see a rider get bucked off, flipped up to the rafters, and run to the fence, completely unharmed, Carter said.

“It’s kind of like hockey, but without the pads,” he said.

Competitors warmed up for the Missouri High School Rodeo State Finals on Wednesday at the Boone County Fairgrounds north of Columbia with the Open Jackpot. There were contests, open to any competitor, in barrel racing, breakaway roping, calf roping and team roping to raise money to help qualifiers attend the national rodeo finals.

Those like Carter, who ride in the rough-stock events, were there to mingle with other state competitors and watch the jackpot. They will wait until later in the week to compete. Others like Sam Burke, from Charleston, competed in the team roping, a timed event.

Team roping consists of two riders on horses trying to rope cattle. The first member of the team, the header, tries to rope the head of the steer, then the heeler goes for its back legs. If the header fails, the team is finished for that round. If the heeler only catches one leg, a penalty is added.

Unlike many high school state competitions, the competitors mostly pay their own way. Their schools don’t provide uniforms or other trip expenses, and Burke said he thinks this is what separates rodeo from other high school sports.

“The money, the practice, the preparation, it’s all on us,” he said. “If we’re gonna drive, like, nine hours to get here, we’re going to care.”

The high school rodeo competition starts today. Rodeo performance events will be held each night in both timed and rough-stock events. Preschool and daycare students from around the area will be invited to watch a free rodeo slack performance Friday morning, made up of entrants that didn’t get to compete the night before, because of the luck of the draw.

Saturday night is the “Tough Enough to Wear Pink Night.” A filly will be raffled to raise money for the breast cancer awareness fund and all competitors will wear pink shirts. Another raffle for a colt will also be held Saturday to raise scholarship money for students.

The top 12 finishers from each of the 12 events will compete again Saturday night, and the top four from each event will go on to nationals, held this year in Springfield, Ill. Points from the entire rodeo season are added to points earned at the state competition for the final totals.

There will also be a Western trade show with numerous vendors selling western attire, jewelry and decore. A shooting competition, held at the Cedar Creek Rod and Gun Club, and a cutting competition during the mornings are also part of the competition. Admission to the rodeo costs $5, except for the free show on Friday.