College rodeo team hosts annual exhibition rodeo for kids in Uvalde
The cheers were loud. The smiles were huge. The verdict was unanimous - everyone had a fantastic time at the 12th Annual Southwest Texas Junior College Kid's Rodeo.
More than 500 students from daycare, pre-k and kindergarten students attended the event hosted by the SWTJC Rodeo Team. Schools represented included Dalton Early Childhood Center and the Kirchner and Powers Child Development Center at SWTJC.
"My team members did a good job this year," coach Roy Angermiller said. "It's always good to see our rodeo kids interact with the young students."
The event, held Tuesday, Feb. 28, began with a prayer, followed by the playing of the National Anthem, as a rodeo team member paraded through the arena on horseback carrying the American Flag.
Before the first event, Angermiller gave a brief history of how rodeo began when cowboys working on ranches would compete against each other in events like steer wrestling, calf roping, and bull riding. Eventually, cowboys from ranches in different parts of the state challenged each other for bragging rights and rodeos became a part of the culture.
This year's kid's rodeo included bronc riding, calf roping, goat tying, team roping and barrel racing.
Angermiller thanked the county for allowing the event to be staged at the County Fairplex.