Posted 9:59 am Friday, May 16, 2008
Lindale Rodeo: Bucking Into High Gear
By LAUREN GROVER
Staff Writer
LINDALE — The gate bangs open and Rockin’ Robin flies out with Cobin Williams on her back. Five … six … seven … eight seconds, and the crowd lets loose. The young cowboy’s perseverance earns him 80 points, a solid bronc riding score.
Staff Writer
LINDALE — The gate bangs open and Rockin’ Robin flies out with Cobin Williams on her back. Five … six … seven … eight seconds, and the crowd lets loose. The young cowboy’s perseverance earns him 80 points, a solid bronc riding score.
Without a pause, the Lindale Championship Rodeo had a muddy kickoff Thursday night with fast-riding cowgirl beauties, gritty riders and lasso-swinging calf ropers. With more than $60,000 in the prize pot, some 700 contestants strapped on spurs and broad-brimmed hats to compete in a rodeo that’s gained recognition as the No. 4 event in the United Professional Rodeo Association.
“This takes a lot of home practice,” Lindale resident David Thadford said during the women’s breakaway roping event. “As opposed to the rough stock (like bronc riding) where riders mostly practice at rodeos.”
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Thadford estimated about 25 percent of the competitors already held their professional rodeo card through previous competition. The East Texas area boasts a notable reputation for molding rodeo winners.
The 2007 Steer Roping World Champion Trevor Brazille competed in Lindale at youth rodeo camps when he was a boy, Thadford said.
A community gem, the rodeo has brought folks to the Lindale Arena for 21 years now. Thursday night saw 2,000 in attendance, organizers said. First-timers got a particularly sweet thrill as horses shot along the railing near enough to throw mud on spectators.
The All American Cowboy Chicks of Rutherford perform during the introduction part of the rodeo.
“I just love all of it,” said 88-year-old Elizabeth Ray, of Lindale, who settled into a folding chair just inches from the railing. “I grew up around horses, but I haven’t been to one of these in a long time.”
Her daughter, Sharon Ray, said the wilder the event, the more nervous she gets.
“This one isn’t so bad,” she said as cowboys lassoed and tied down calves. “But the others, I feel like I need a tranquilizer.”
Near the other end of the arena, 4-year-old Cade Hornecker stood glued to the railing, watching every movement of the horses and riders.
“He is loving this,” said mom Tara Hornecker, who attended with husband John and their 8-month-old Ty. “It’s a lot of fun.”
Country singer Casey Rivers opened the rodeo Thursday with a show at 7 p.m. By 9:30, the crowd was just as lively for barrel racing.
Some 1,000 local students will be visiting the rodeo grounds at 9 a.m. today to learn about its history and livestock.
The Lindale Championship Rodeo is just getting started — events begin tonight at 7:30 p.m. and again on Saturday. The Lindale Arena is located on Texas Highway 16 just west of downtown.
Updated Friday, May 16, 2008 at 11:45 a.m. CDT
Updated Friday, May 16, 2008 at 11:45 a.m. CDT
