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Annual Citrus Stampede Rodeo is a major fund-raiser for 4-H, but a lot is riding on it for cowboys.
By JORGE SANCHEZ
© St. Petersburg Times, published November 16, 2001
It's the cowboy way to have fun: Jump atop a Brahma bull or a wild bronco, open the gate and try to hang on for eight seconds while the enraged beast does its darndest to sling off and then trample you.
This kind of action only comes once a year to Citrus, as the Citrus Stampede Rodeo rides into the livestock pavilion at the Citrus County Fairgrounds for shows at 7:30 p.m. today and Saturday.
The Citrus Stampede Rodeo features the seven classic rodeo events, plus some special entertainment. Tickets at the gate are $12 for adults and $5 for children age 4 to 12, with children 3 and under admitted free.
The events include steer and bronco riding (with a saddle and bareback), along with team roping, calf roping, womens barrel racing and steer wrestling.
The rodeo is a professional event, sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys' Association. Cowboys have been competing all year for points to qualify for the National Finals Rodeo two weeks from today in Las Vegas.
"That's the Super Bowl of rodeos, and it's possible that our rodeo will be an important qualifier for some of the cowboys," said Lori McKettrick, rodeo chairman and member of the Citrus 4-H Foundation board of directors.
The rodeo is a major fund-raiser for the county 4-H clubs. The Citrus County 4-H Foundation and area businesses sponsor the rodeo as a way to raise funds for local 4-H projects. Proceeds are used to pay for scholarships to 4-H summer camp, volunteer training and college scholarships.
Other highlights of the rodeo will include a special exhibition by trick rider Williard Powell. Wearing an authentic American Indian costume, Powell will ride "Roman style" which means to stand atop two horses and jump through a flaming hoop, landing on his feet back atop the galloping horses.
As a special salute to veterans the Citrus County 4-H drill team will perform maneuvers with its mounts decorated with patriotic ribbons and flags, and area Masons will unfurl a huge American flag across the rodeo during the opening ceremonies.
For people who want to experience the a taste of what it's like to ride a wild bull, there will be a mechanical bull ride along with a kiddie corral and western merchandise vendors.
Popular national rodeo announcer Roger Mooney returns this year. Mooney is a top rodeo announcer who recently performed at the Calgary Stampede and last year's National Finals in Vegas.