The annual Rotary Classic Rodeo is back at the Mississippi Horse Park Feb. 13 and 14, featuring contestants from across the country.
The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association event begins at 7 p.m. each night. Children 12 and under are admitted free on Friday. Children 3 and under are admitted free on Saturday. Children 4 to 12 are admitted for $5.00 on Saturday. Also, on Saturday, attendees can enjoy pony rides and a petting zoo on the arena floor from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Adult tickets are $25 at the door or $20 in advance.
Events include bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, bull riding, steer wrestling, tie down roping, barrel racing, team roping and women’s breakaway roping. The rodeo has been nationally recognized by the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association with a number of annual first-place Justin Boots Best Footing Awards for the Southeastern Circuit. Contestants compete for prize money, which helps them qualify for the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas in December.
“The Rodeo” began 22 years ago at the Horse Park and since 2007 has been the Starkville Rotary Club’s main fundraiser. Proceeds from the rodeo support humanitarian, educational and community service activities. The Horse Park is a division of Mississippi State University Extension and is located at 869 East Poor House Road.
Title sponsors include Clark Beverage Group, FASTnet – Powered by 4-County, Oktibbeha County Co-op, Parker Ram, Rick’s Café, the Starkville Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, Tractor Supply Co. and WCBI.
Advanced tickets can be purchased at the Oktibbeha County Co-op, Greater Starkville Development Partnership and Tractor Supply Co. in Starkville and Columbus.
For more information, call the Mississippi Horse Park event info line at 662-325-0508, follow on Facebook at MS Horse Park or visit the Rotary Rodeo website at rodeo.starkvillerotary. org.
