Organizers say both kids with dreams of being a professional bull rider and kids just looking for a good time should participate in an upcoming rodeo activity.
The Bill Pickett Youth Rodeo Association is putting on its first ever youth rodeo Saturday, June 15, at the Williamson County Expo Center, 5350 Bill Pickett Trail.
Gerald Anderson, Rodeo Association board member, said he and a few other members started the event after noticing there was a lack of youth rodeos in central Texas.
“We decided to put together a youth rodeo to give children in central Texas and the Taylor area an opportunity to showcase their skills in youth rodeo or just get an introduction to rodeo,” Anderson said. “So what Bill Pickett youth rodeo is to help enrich, enhance and educate the youth about the history and legacy of western heritage and rodeos.”
Events include team roping, mutton busting, chute dogging, barrel racing, bull riding, breakaway roping and dummy roping.
Anderson, nephew of Pro Rodeo Hall of Famer Bill Pickett, said he hopes there’s a lot of signups for mutton busting, an event where kids hold onto a running sheep, since it’s a good welcome to rodeo for children.
“It’s an event where you can test yourself. That’s what rodeo is about,” Anderson said. “A lot of it is facing fears and overcoming those fears. Mutton busting is an important entry level event for a kid wanting to experience rodeo.”
Each event winner will receive a customized belt buckle, Anderson said.
Anderson added that money collected from tickets and entry fees will go back to select competitors after the event in the form of scholarships.
“The scholarship system is based on providing equipment and money for kids to continue their rodeo lifestyle,” he said.
The association’s founding board members are Anderson, Troy Cervenka, Mike Cooper, Becky Cooper, Darrell Espinoza, Tami Espinoza, Kendall Metcalf and Tom Stanfield.
Anderson said the organization, which expects to receive a 501(c)3 nonprofit status next year, wants to combat the decrease in rodeo participation.
“What’s happening is rodeo is not as popular as it used to be,” Anderson said. “We’re trying to encourage the next generation of rodeo athletes to get involved.”
The Bill Pickett Youth Rodeo Association encourages parents to register their kid as a contestant by calling the Espinozas at 512-2850484 or 737-233-4959.
