VIDEO: The Rodeo Is In Town; Roping Up Proceeds For Local Hospital

PONTOTOC, Miss. (WCBI)- Rodeo cowboys and cowgirls have descended on Pontotoc to help raise money for a worthy cause this weekend.

For the third year the Pontotoc County Agricenter is the site of the Steers and Steel for Lebonheur Rodeo event to raise money for the hospital.

“We get sponsors at the very beginning to help us cover all of the costs so that everything that’s made at the event can go straight to Lebonheur. We raised a little over about 30-thousand the past two years this year we’re expecting an even bigger turnout so we’re super excited. We have people here from Alabama Tennessee Arkansas, Kentucky Missouri and Oklahoma,” says event organizer Misty Tucker.

“The cowboys and cowgirls they’re like a family. They come together. They help one and other. I mean anytime a benefit’s around, they’ll come together in brotherhood and sisterhood and just help one and other,” says Tucker.

And even a mother-in-law and daughter in-law from Faulkner Mississippi came to participate in the barrel racing competition.

“I made my living at barrel racing. I used to train horses. I used to rodeo. Now I just do it for fun because I’ve gotten a little older and just can’t give it up,” says Pam Short.

“It’s all about timing and being team with your horse. You kind of have to be together as one and kind of be on the same page,” says Brittany Short.

People from all over come to partake in the festivities.

“It takes a lot of hard work and dedication. You have to ride just about every day and practice. It takes a lot of hard work to get into it,” says Samantha Chapin.

Locals love that the event takes place so close to home.

“I love it. I think it’s a great event to have in the hometown. I really brings out people from all over and it helps have a good name for your town,” says Chapin.

Because Lebonheur Childrens Hospital takes patients whose families could not normally afford the cost of treatment, rodeo has proven to be a very good venue for raising money for the hospital.

“I’ve actually had a close friend of mine’s son, he actually went to it a couple of years ago and they helped him anyway, I mean when they left it end up not costing them a dime. I mean it’s just a great place,” says Tucker.

For some, the event hits very close to home.

“This past year my son lost his brother in an accident in June and then he was a patient at Lebonheur, Colt Hope, and we did it actually in memory of him this year. So it’s kind of more dear to our heart this year than ever before. Leboneur was fantastic in helping with the family and everything just to get through just a tragic accident,” says Bryan Wood.

Categories: Local News

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