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A rompin' stompin' good time

| 14 May 2013 | 10:59
    Photos by George LeRoy Hunter A cowboy getting flung.
    Photos by George LeRoy Hunter A cowboy getting flung.
    Cowboys from all over the U.S. came to compete at the annual charity rodeo.
    Cowboys from all over the U.S. came to compete at the annual charity rodeo.
    A cowboy tries to hang onto a bucking bronco.
    A cowboy tries to hang onto a bucking bronco.
    A little cowgirl gets the crowd in a patriotic mood riding with 'Old Glory'.
    A little cowgirl gets the crowd in a patriotic mood riding with 'Old Glory'.
    Pro Rodeo cowgirl Joylynn Leech of Wantage.
    Pro Rodeo cowgirl Joylynn Leech of Wantage.
    Amelia Murphy (4) of Wantage makes her way along an obstacle course. Murphy won the best dressed cowgirl contest for the second year in a row.
    Amelia Murphy (4) of Wantage makes her way along an obstacle course. Murphy won the best dressed cowgirl contest for the second year in a row.

AUGUSTA — Cowboys and cowgirls of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) took part in the 2013 Sussex Christian School Pro Rodeo at the Sussex County Fairgrounds on Friday, May 10. They came from all over the United States to compete in the charity rodeo, which is part of the First Frontier Circuit that runs from Virginia to Maine.

Several local competitors from Sussex County also made an appearance including Wantage, resident Joylynn Leech. Leech who has won numerous titles on the rodeo circuit and is a mother of two children finished fourth out of 11 competitors in the barrel racing contest.

Canadian Cowboy Sylvain Meunier gave his American counterparts a run for their money. Meunier's entrance gave the Sussex Christian School Pro Rodeo a little international flavor. He hails from Quebec, Canada.

The clouds looked ready to let loose rain the entire time during the rodeo but nothing happened until it was over. But there was plenty of thunder at the rodeo...from the hoofs of horses and angry bulls trying to shake off determined riders.

Everyone from hungry young guns in their 20s to seasoned veterans in their 50s went all out in various contests. It was man against beast in a dazzling display of skill and machismo. But the men weren't the only ones testing their mettle because the women were getting down and dirty too.

Despite some hard knocks and rough landings none of the participating rodeo cowboys and cowgirls got seriously hurt. They wore their bumps and bruises like a badge of honor.

Barrel racing, bull riding, saddle broncs, steer wrestling, tie-down roping and team roping kept the crowd captivated. The focus of the rodeo was not just on the professional cowboys and cowgirls. The Annual Sussex Christian School Pro Rodeo is an interactive experience. Audience participation is encouraged and there was a hardy kids rodeo complete with live animals provided by Painted Pony Rodeo of Lake Luzerne, N.Y. Visiting children dressed up like cowboys got the chance to have fun and interact with ponies and baby cows.

There was a best dressed cowboy and cowgirl contest. Seven year old Garrett Coerts of Sussex County won the 2013 Sussex Christian School Pro Rodeo best dressed cowboy title. Four year old Amelia Murphy of Wantage won the 2013 Sussex Christian School Pro Rodeo best dressed cowgirl title. This is the second year in a row Murphy has won the title.

There are plans already being made for next years Sussex Christian School Pro Rodeo according to Leech, who also helps to organize the event.

Proceeds went to the Sussex Christian School. Franklin Sussex Automall of Sussex was the main sponsor of the 2013 Sussex Christian School Pro Rodeo. Eastern Propane of Oak Ridge, The Chatterbox Drive In of Augusta and Ferguson Funeral Home of Sussex were among the many other sponsors.