The annual LSU Block and Bridle Club All-Student Rodeo kicks off today at 7 p.m. in Parker Coliseum.
University students will don cowboy duds and showcase their rip-roaring rowdy sides in a variety of contests including bull riding, barrel racing and wild-cow milking – in which participants pull a hair out of a heifer’s tail.
But the rodeo, which has been held for more than 40 years, is more than just a country-good time and fund-raising event for the Block and Bridle Club.
A portion of proceeds will go to Special Olympics.
The international organization is “dedicated to empowering individuals with mental retardation to become physically fit, productive and respected members of society through sports training and competition,” according to the Special Olympics Web site.
The Block and Bridle Club chooses a different charity to donate proceeds to each year.
Pamela Netterville, an environmental management systems junior and Block and Bridle Club member, said the club chose Special Olympics because it “touches” the hearts of club members.
“We helped with Special Olympics last year, and someone said everybody thinks [it] has a lot of money,” she said. “But they’re really underfunded.”
Netterville said the Block and Bridle Club will donate 10 percent of this year’s proceeds.
Each year, judges choose a Rodeo Queen. Netterville has sat on the rodeo royalty throne for the past year.
To win the queen competition, participants must give interviews and participate in a horsemanship contest in which participants ride their equestrians along a pattern.
The reigning queen’s responsibilities include promoting the rodeo.
“We have met once a week since school started to get ready for this rodeo,” Netterville said.
Beau Fiegel, a political science freshman, plans to ride a bull at the rodeo.
This will be Fiegel’s first bull-riding experience. He said he initially was excited, but after watching a televised rodeo he got scared.
“I’m pretty freaked out now,” he said.
Fiegel said he was unaware that rodeo proceeds would go Special Olympics.
“I feel a little better, then,” he said after finding out he would be riding a bull for a good cause.
The rodeo will run through Saturday.
Today’s and tomorrow’s competitions are open to all students, and Saturday’s contests are championships for the previous two days’ competitions.
The Block and Bridle Club also will host the third annual Kid’s Fun Day from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. Kid’s Fun Day will include a petting zoo and games.
Daily admission is $3 for students and $5 for non-students.
Students interested in participating in contests at the rodeo should go to the barn attached to Parker Coliseum between 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. the day they plan to to sign up and pay fees.
For other information call 229-3423 or 765-2710.