The rodeo addiction starts early for some area youth whoparticipate in lazy B?s Jr. Rodeo.
Lazy B?s is a local program that offers children the opportunity tocompete in various rodeo events each month from March toOctober.
Now in its second year, the rodeo ?is the only program of this typein the area at all? and has had competitors as young as 2 and asold as 18, according to organizer Tindra Hammett.
A regular rodeo will take place Saturday at the Cowboy Church HorsePark on Alabama 75 in Albertville.
Sign-ups begin at 8 a.m. and competition will start at 9 a.m.
The event will run in conjunction with old West Days, an annualevent sponsored by the Cowboy Church that features horse rides, achuck wagon cook-off, an old west costume contest and more.
Lazy B?s Rodeo finals will be Oct. 22 at the Northeast AlabamaAgribusiness Center in Rainsville.
? goat tail untying for ages 6 and under,
? breakaway roping,
? calf riding for ages 7-9,
? steer riding for ages 10-13, and
? bull riding for ages 14-18.
The event began as an idea of rodeo enthusiasts Jeff Battles ofAttalla and Paul Kirby of Boaz to give area children theopportunity to experience rodeo first hand.
?Some of the kids didn?t even know what rodeo was,? Hammettsaid.
What started with two children riding against each other has growninto a competition between 165 young cowboys and cowgirls.
?We?ve had some kids at first that didn?t even have a horse,?co-organizer Kristy Collins said. ?Of course, once they get startedand find they really like it, a horse usually comes into playpretty quickly.?
Lazy B?s will split competitors into two groups next year: beginnerand advanced.
Local stock contractor Kenny Smith donates livestock to use in theevents, and more than 40 volunteers run the program.
The Cowboy Church of Marshall County plays a big role in theprogram by providing volunteers, a short devotion before each rodeoand a facility for the event.
Competitors wear traditional rodeo gear, including a long-sleevedshirt and a western hat.
The program follows state regulations and requires those competingin certain events to wear a protective vest, mouth guard andhelmet. Organizers have safety equipment for the children to use,but they encourage parents to buy pieces specifically for theirchildren.
Lazy B leaders want the program to be an activity any child canparticipate in, regardless of ability or the child?s familyfinancial situation. the leaders even lend their horses andequipment to children who want to compete but don?t have thesupplies to do so.
There are no required costs to enter the regular events, but a $5jackpot fee per event is optional. Concessions are available andall children eat free.
?We want to make this as affordable as possible,? Collins said.?We?re just trying to keep these kids out of trouble and keep thembusy.?
Hammett said rodeo competitions also help children mature. Whilearea school and recreation programs offer many team sports, Hammettsaid rodeos give participants ?an individual challenge.?
?A true competitor really just competes against himself,? she said.?Rodeo is something you can compete in for the rest of your life aslong as you stay healthy whereas, for many kids, other sports arecut off at the high school level.?
For more information, contact Collins at 256-601-0718 or via emailat .
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