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Ropin' the wind: Cowboys compete in charity rodeo
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| The eighth annual Eagle's Nest Ranch Benefit Rodeo drew crowds to the grounds behind Lake City Christian Academy Friday and Saturday nights. MADELYN TROYANEK/Lake City Reporter |
By TONY BRITT tbritt@lakecityreporter.com
Chasing, riding, busting and lassoing horses and cows was a common site in eastern Lake City this weekend as the eighth annual Eagle's Nest Ranch Benefit Rodeo was held at Lake City Christian Academy.
The World Wide Rodeo Association was making a return trip to the school and several hundred residents were in attendance to see cowboys from around the state battle for prize money in a variety of events.
Tana Espenship, Lake City Christian Academy administrator and director of the weekend's rodeo, said the school holds
the charity event as an annual fund- raiser.
She said the rodeo developed to support students in reaching out and learning about terminally ill children and buying their Christmas gifts.
"We've raised more than $90,000 over the years," Espenship said.
"We want to do whatever we can to help the different children in the community."
She said other money from the fund-raiser goes to other Christian and Christmas programs.
"This is our way of giving back to the community," Espenship said. "It teaches our children compassion, love for your fellow man and I believe children, especially teenagers, they don't understand what's important in life until they see someone less fortunate than themselves."
R.D. Hunt, a rodeo judge from Callahan who works with the rodeo circuit, estimated more than 150 competitors were at Friday night's competition and expected at least that many Saturday night.
"The weather has really been a surprise, but the crowd has been great," Hunt said.
With events such as bullriding, calf roping, a calf scramble, steer wrestling and barrel racing,
Hunt said the audience had plenty of action for entertainment as event competitors tried to win their share of prize money.
They don't ride for ribbons, they ride for money," Hunt said. "They pay their own fees here and it's the luck of the draw."
The World Wide Rodeo Association circuit puts on 45-50 rodeo events each year.
Jaime Sessions, a local competitor from Branford, has been competing since she was a youngster. She was waiting for her turn to serpentine at full speed through standing barrels.
"I love competing - it's a way of life," she said. "I like winning money, the competition and having friends and family out here."
Sessions, 27, says she was born into the sport, both of her parents rode in rodeo events and it was "in her blood."
"Barrel racing is my favorite event," she said. "I've been barrel racing since I was old enough to sit up. I was brought up to barrel race and that's what I love to do."
While Sessions gets her excitement from participating in barrel racing and other events, Bambi Werner is normally watching her 14-year-old son, Dylan, who is a
bullrider.
Werner, who is from Bushnell, drove close to two hours for her son to compete in this weekend's rodeo, as
he competes for prize money or a chance to earn a college scholarship.
"He's been competing since he was 11 years old," she said. "He likes it, but it affects me badly. I don't like it. Bullriding is not for everybody. Every time you tell somebody you're a bull rider, they want to come out and try it. This just isn't for everybody."
The World Wide Rodeo Association was making a return trip to the school and several hundred residents were in attendance to see cowboys from around the state battle for prize money in a variety of events.
Tana Espenship, Lake City Christian Academy administrator and director of the weekend's rodeo, said the school holds
the charity event as an annual fund- raiser.
She said the rodeo developed to support students in reaching out and learning about terminally ill children and buying their Christmas gifts.
"We've raised more than $90,000 over the years," Espenship said.
"We want to do whatever we can to help the different children in the community."
She said other money from the fund-raiser goes to other Christian and Christmas programs.
"This is our way of giving back to the community," Espenship said. "It teaches our children compassion, love for your fellow man and I believe children, especially teenagers, they don't understand what's important in life until they see someone less fortunate than themselves."
R.D. Hunt, a rodeo judge from Callahan who works with the rodeo circuit, estimated more than 150 competitors were at Friday night's competition and expected at least that many Saturday night.
"The weather has really been a surprise, but the crowd has been great," Hunt said.
With events such as bullriding, calf roping, a calf scramble, steer wrestling and barrel racing,
Hunt said the audience had plenty of action for entertainment as event competitors tried to win their share of prize money.
They don't ride for ribbons, they ride for money," Hunt said. "They pay their own fees here and it's the luck of the draw."
The World Wide Rodeo Association circuit puts on 45-50 rodeo events each year.
Jaime Sessions, a local competitor from Branford, has been competing since she was a youngster. She was waiting for her turn to serpentine at full speed through standing barrels.
"I love competing - it's a way of life," she said. "I like winning money, the competition and having friends and family out here."
Sessions, 27, says she was born into the sport, both of her parents rode in rodeo events and it was "in her blood."
"Barrel racing is my favorite event," she said. "I've been barrel racing since I was old enough to sit up. I was brought up to barrel race and that's what I love to do."
While Sessions gets her excitement from participating in barrel racing and other events, Bambi Werner is normally watching her 14-year-old son, Dylan, who is a
bullrider.
Werner, who is from Bushnell, drove close to two hours for her son to compete in this weekend's rodeo, as
he competes for prize money or a chance to earn a college scholarship.
"He's been competing since he was 11 years old," she said. "He likes it, but it affects me badly. I don't like it. Bullriding is not for everybody. Every time you tell somebody you're a bull rider, they want to come out and try it. This just isn't for everybody."
. wrote on Jan 30, 2008 11:01 AM: