A sea of cowboy hats filled John M. Parker Coliseum this weekend at the University’s Block and Bridle Club rodeo. The annual event raised money for Youth Oasis, a local non-profit organization that benefits at-risk youth. The event kicked off Thursday night with a student rodeo and continued Friday with an added money open rodeo, where professional riders could compete. Student finals were held on Saturday afternoon. Stock contractors provided the animals for the event, including bulls, calves and steers. The rodeo had many different events for both men and women, including bareback bronco riding, goat chasing, calf roping, steer wrestling and wild cow milking. Men and women equipped with cowboy hats, chaps and spurs participated in the various events. Both professionals and first-timers participated in the events. The event that many associate with rodeos, bull riding, is also one of the more difficult events. The rider has to stay on the bull for at least eight seconds and is scored not only on how well he stays on the bull but how difficult the bull is to ride. After eight seconds, the rider must get off the bull, which is usually still bucking. Makensie Moore, assistant rodeo manager and animal science junior, said bull riding is the most popular event among audience members because of the danger that goes along with it. “It’s more exciting, and it’s pretty hard to do and people get hurt,” Moore said. “There are people that would like to do it one day but never would.” Moore, who has been riding horses her whole life and doing rodeos since high school, participated in barrel racing, pole bending and breakaway roping. Megan Gravois, rodeo manager and agricultural business senior, said Block and Bridle has been holding the student rodeo since 1929. “We only took a hiatus during World War II,” Gravois said. “In 2005 we did not do a rodeo because of Hurricane Katrina.” Gravois said about 1,000 people participated in the rodeo, including those working the rodeo and participating in events. Gravois said that rodeos are popular for a variety of reasons. “It’s just something very different than what people are used to in Baton Rouge,” Gravois said. “Everyone goes back to when they were little kids, wanting to be cowboys.” Erin Kliebert, animal science junior, said this rodeo was her first. “I had never been to a rodeo and I wanted to see what it was like,” Kliebert said. “I liked watching the barrels and poles event.” Gravois said her favorite part of the rodeo is the satisfaction everyone gets after weeks of planning. “Everybody is working hard to put on something they enjoy and love doing and having fun while doing it,” Gravois said.
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