Maury Co. Sheriff's Rodeo rides without a hitch at park arena - Columbia Daily Herald

Thousands gathered to enjoy the annual Maury County Sheriff's Rodeo at Maury County Park Arena on Friday and Saturday to watch world class cowboys rope and ride.

Families eagerly watched the competitions with excitement as some of the most high-ranking cowboys in the world roped calves, rode bucking broncos and tried to stay on an angry bull for eight seconds. Cowgirls also showed their roping and riding skills, especially during the barrel racing competition.

Trevor and Haverly Pennington of Columbia have been attending the rodeo for 15 years straight with their three children.

"The sheriff puts on a great rodeo. It's a wonderful community event," Trevor Pennington said.

"I love how family-friendly it is," Haverly said.

Children lined up to ride the mechanical bull, play in the Kids Zone and eat sweet treats, like snow cones from Kona Ice food truck.

A highlight for children under 12 years old was the calf scramble in which a herd of children chased a calf around the arena trying to snag a ribbon off its ear or tail to win a $50 bill.

Former Maury County Sheriff Enoch George, who founded the rodeo in 2002, faithfully sat in the stands with his family on Saturday, including his wife and a slew of grandchildren.

"I never miss a rodeo," George said. "The sheriff does a great job each year. It keeps getting bigger and bigger."

George said he started the annual rodeo to help families in need in Maury County.

"We needed something that would benefit people. Families needed funds for Christmas and Thanksgiving and financial assistance," George said.

George, who grew up roping and riding on a farm in Maury County, said some were skeptical of the idea of a rodeo, but he knew deep down that it would be a hit with the community.

"Some people thought it wasn't a good idea, that no one would come," he said.

But the crowd has been growing from the rodeo's inception, reaching almost 6,000 attendees over the two-day weekend.

The proceeds from the rodeo go toward helping families by providing Thanksgiving meals, warm coats for winter, and funding programs like Shop with a Cop during the Christmas season.

Dozens of competitive riders from around the U.S. competed in multiple categories, including bull riding, calf roping, cowgirl barrel racing, cowgirl breakaway roping, cowgirl's barrel racing, saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, team roping and tie-down roping.

Sanctioned by both the International Professional Rodeo Association and the Professional Cowboy Association, the competitions earn some national rankings.

Kerri Bartlett is editor of The Daily Herald.

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