Maury Co. Fair kicks off with wild ride at inaugural rodeo
“It’s gonna be wild and western on a Thursday night,” yelled the rodeo announcer, just moments before fireworks kicked off the Maury County Fair Rodeo on Aug. 31.
In idyllic late August weather, under the blue supermoon, world-ranking cowboys from all over the U.S. convened on the fairgrounds to put on a jaw dropping show and kick off the 75th annual Maury County Fair and Exposition.
Bull riding, bareback and saddle bronc riding and barrel racing kept the audience on the edge of their seats.
More: Rides, food — and rodeo: Maury County Fair set for Labor Day weekend
Maury County and regional residents near and far showed up and showed out in their best western wear; the packed grandstand was a sea of boots, bejeweled belts and cowboy hats. The crisp 75-degree air was clouded by the smell of horses and cowboy cologne.
Even babies and children were dressed to the nines: one little girl galloped up and down the bleachers in cow print bell bottoms.
The rodeo was organized by one of Columbia’s own, Josh Cragar, a 17-time rodeo international finals qualifier and four-time bareback riding world champion.
Before the event kicked off, “the most famous cowgirl of all,” according to the announcer, paid a visit to the arena.
“Gentlemen, please rise, if you are a willing and able body, and remove cover,” said the announcer, but the crowd had taken off their hats long before Old Glory entered the arena.
Kylie Frey performed the national anthem, while mounted on Nucklehead, a 2,300-pound rodeo bull, as Kirsten Peterson, a trick rider, rode the flag around the arena.
Peterson returned later in the evening to the delight of the audience to perform several tricks, flying around the arena accomplishing aerobatic feats from the back of her horse.
Johnny Allen was the evening’s rodeo clown, and he kept the crowd laughing all night long. He made his rounds in the crowd, throwing T-shirts and teasing spectators, in addition to a short comedy act during the night.
Bare back bronc riding is the most physically demanding event of the rodeo, the announcer said. The rider must stay on for eight seconds to have a qualifying ride.
Staying on is not the only goal of the ride though. Points are gained by the performance of the rider and the animal. Two judges are allowed 25 points for the animal and 25 points for the contestant, for a possible full score of 100.
Matthew Smith had the night’s bareback bronc high score of 84 points.
The line-up was chock-full of local riders, including a young bull rider by the name of Wyatt Reed Connor.
“You’ll have an opportunity to meet the future [of rodeo] here tonight,” said the announcer, referencing Connor.
At just 11 years old in sixth grade, he has begun to make a name for himself on the rodeo circuit. Kamdyn Sims, also 11, has known Connor all his life.
“He’s only 10 days younger than me,” she said.
Sims is a barrel racer and pole bender herself and was looking forward to the barrel racers and seeing Connor ride.
“I’m excited to see him get thrown!” she said.
The rodeo was an impressive display of horsepower and its harnessing. The arena was crawling with EMT professionals at the ready in case of emergency. One contestant was injured, but he walked out of the arena without assistance.
This article originally appeared on Murfreesboro Daily News Journal: Maury Co. Fair kicks off with wild ride at inaugural rodeo
