Meet the Member AJae Griffin
story by Michele Toberer Anna Jae Griffin goes by AJae, and the Mississippi native has been a cowgirl for a lifetime, and a Southeastern Professional […]
above: Stacy Benton picking up at the 2015 SPFR in Philadelphia, MS - Jeff L. Homan Photography
story by Lily Weinacht
Stacy Benton of Athens, Tennessee, worked the SPRA finals for the third time during the 2015 finals, picking up broncs and bulls, but his involvement in rodeo doesn’t stop there. He rode bulls for nearly 16 years and currently competes in team roping as a header, while also leasing roping calves and steers to stock contractors, primarily for the SPRA. The first of his family to rodeo, Stacy grew up on his family’s farm helping raise Tennessee Walking Horses. A friend in high school was a tie-down roper, and with his help, Stacy started roping calves and entering rodeos as well. “But I wasn’t big enough to rope calves, so I started riding bulls in the early ‘90s,” says Stacy. “The dad of one of my buddies was a pickup man, and I watched him and thought it was pretty cool, so he got me started.”
Stacy picked up his first rodeo in the late ‘90s, and hasn’t missed a rodeo season since. “I enjoy riding a horse and knowing I’m out there to help somebody out and make their ride a bit better. I was always on horseback growing up, so being on horseback all the time picking up interested me.” He’s picked up for stock contractors including Bill Hudson and Danny Hedrick, and J Bar J Rodeo. Working SPRA and SRA rodeos keeps him on the road nearly every weekend between the first of April and the first of October. “I’ll rope at the rodeos I pick up, or if it’s close enough, I’ll pick up then enter the slack in another rodeo, but it limits you on what you can and can’t do,” Stacy explains.
His family travels with him as often as they can between school and running their farm near Athens. “We have 25 acres and I lease another 110 to run cattle and steers on, so we have about 130 acres to tend,” says Stacy. His wife of 13 years, Kristi, their daughter, Karli, and Stacy’s step-daughters, Bayli and Kassi, are key to running the farm. “Karli and Bayli are barrel racing, and they all help when I’m sorting cows or riding horses. It’s a family deal.” They have nearly a dozen horses, half of which can be used for picking up. “I usually take three or four pickup horses with me, and I always have an older horse and a younger one that I’m starting. Some work better in bareback, others in saddle bronc, and you always have to have something you can drag bulls out on. I have some really broke horses you’d think would be great at picking up, but when it comes down to matching a bucking horse, it’s not their style. All of my pickup horses have a little quirk to them, and I think that’s what makes them the better horses. One of mine is liable to buck when you put a saddle on him and another can always get untied, but then you go pick up and they’re all business.”
On the rare weekend that he’s home during rodeo season, Stacy and his family may enjoy a relaxing afternoon fishing on the river, but rodeo is always on his mind. “I enjoy the cowboy lifestyle, being on a horse every day and working cattle. I also work at a stockyard on the side, so it’s always something different, and I’m thankful to be able to do that. My goal, either roping or picking up, is to make it to the bigger rodeos, whether it’s the IPRA finals or the NFR. I’ve done well around the house, and it’s worked out pretty good so far!”
story by Michele Toberer Anna Jae Griffin goes by AJae, and the Mississippi native has been a cowgirl for a lifetime, and a Southeastern Professional […]
story by Michele Toberer Anna Jae Griffin goes by AJae, and the Mississippi native has been a cowgirl for a lifetime, and a Southeastern Professional […]
story by Michele Toberer Trey Moore started out as a farm kid in Summerville, Georgia when a buddy from school introduced him to the world […]
Phone: 205-372-3182
Email: sprarodeo@aol.com
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Rodeo Newstm (ISSN 1934-5224) is published 12 times a year, semi-monthly May-Nov; once in Dec Jan, Feb., March, and April by Publication Printers, 2001 S. Platte River Drive, Denver, Colo., 80223. Iris Ink, Inc., parent company of Rodeo News is located at 3604 WCR 54G, Laporte, Colo., 80535. Subscriptions are $30 per year. Periodicals postage paid at LaPorte, Colo., and additional mailing offices.
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March 15, 2020
Bareback Riding
1 Kenneth Glick $1,398.60
2 Blake Arp $518.40
3 Nace Boswell ® $252.00
Saddle Bronc Riding
1 Kenneth Glick $1,083.60
2 Joe Farren $685.26
3 Cody Pringle* $481.14
4 Eli Troyer $360.00
Calf Roping
1 Trevor Colby $842.40
2 Shane Overby $631.80
3 Jud Gully $558.00
4 Ryan Bibb $421.20
5 Cooper Christensen $418.50
6 Ty Owens $279.00
7 CoCo Hurst $210.60
8 Cody Skelton $139.50
Breakaway Roping
1 Riley Edwards $799.20
2 Zoey Carpenter $711.45
3 Krystal Peavy $599.40
4 Jordan Wade $444.15
5 Talese Berry $189.00
6 Ajae Griffin* $99.90
7 Jadi Gibbs $99.90
Steer Wrestling
1 Matt Oubre $820.80
2 JT Ellison $786.78
3 Cooper Christensen $552.42
4 Laine Moore $324.00
Team Roping – Heading
1 Billy Berry* $2,520.83
2 Clint Keller $1,140.48
3 Charlie Day $648.95
4 Joey Denney $483.84
5 Laine Moore $461.70
6 Briar Hamilton $340.20
7 Kaston Peavy $172.80
8 Tyler Hoagland $170.10
9 Kyle Smith $170.10
Team Roping – Heeling
1 Shane Edmonson $2,130.03
2 Zac Dobbins $1,175.04
3 Bubba Bozeman $643.95
4 Ethan Wheeler $483.84
5 Devan Gilbert $461.70
6 Jake Wells $340.20
7 Mark Gentry $311.04
8 Stephen Bland $170.10
9 Fireball Hester $170.10
Barrel Racing
1 Julie Goodrich $1,937.52
2 Angela Hudson $1,042.92
3 Katelyn Nicholson $868.32
4 Lauren Pringle $861.30
5 Shay Atkins $687.42
6 Moriah Warnock $506.52
7 Beth Ellzey $503.55
8 Zoey Carpenter $415.80
9 Maggey Gann $267.30
10 Ryan Johnson $237.00
11 Lindsey Phillips $180.90
12 Zoe Pledger $148.50
Bull Riding
1 Justin Bryant $1,428.30
2 Dylan Hallmark $810.00
3 Kevin McKeeman $623.70
4 Wyatt Sharp $378.00
All-Around
1 Kenneth Glick $2,481.20
2 Cooper Christensen $970.92
3 Laine Moore $785.70
4 Zoey Carpenter $727.65
March 27-28, 2020 Pelham, AL
**POSTPONED**
American Legion Post 555 Pro Rodeo
Added Money: $1,000.00 per event, $1,500.00 TR ($750 each side) Entry Fee: $80.00 Performance: 7:00PM Slack: Saturday 10AM ONLY, no other slack offered. Books Open: March 23 Call In Time: 10:00AM-4:00PM CST Call In Number: 205-372-3182
Ground Rules: Entry preference given to top 15 and past champions. Permits if needed. Permits will be placed in performances only if needed. Must ride in grand entry and participate in sponsor meet & greet. Directions: 2000 Ballpark Road, Pelham, AL 35124 Stock Contractor: Double Creek Rodeo Company
March 27-28, 2020 Dallas, GA
*POSTPONED*
Paulding Public Safety Rodeo Added Money: $500.00 per event Entry Fee: $70.00 Performance: 7:00PM EST
Slack: After each perf
Books Open: March 23 Call In Time: 10:00AM-4:00PM Call In Number: 205-372-3182 Directions: 472 Paulding Meadows Drive, Dallas GA 30132, off Hwy 61 Ground Rules: Permits if needed. Must ride in grand entry. Stock Contractor: Frontier Classic Rodeo
April 3-4, 2020 Tennille, GA IPRA/SPRA
Washington County Ag Center Rodeo
Added Money: $400.00 per event Entry Fee: $50.00
Performance: 7:00 PM EST Slack: After each perf Books Open: March 30 Call In Time: 8:00AM-5:00PM CST Call In Number: 337-427-6336
Directions: Washington Co. Ag Center 882 Grady Mertz Rd.
Ground Rules: Permits if needed. Stock Contractor: Hedrick Rodeo Company
April 10-11, 2020 Milton, FL
Santa Rosa County Fairgrounds
Added Money: $500.00 per event Entry Fee: $70.00 Performance: 7:00PM Slack: After each perf Books Open: April 6 Call In Time: 10:00AM-4:00PM Call In Number: 205-372-3182 Ground Rules: Permits if needed. Entry preference given to previous year top 15, previous champions for performance. Slack will only be taken if perfs are full. Stock Contractor: Double Creek Rodeo Company
April 17-18, 2020 Phenix City, AL IPRA/SPRA **POSTPONED**
3rd Annual River Cities Rodeo
Added Money: $500.00 per event Entry Fee: $50.00 Performance: 8:00 PM
Slack: After each perf
Books Open: April 13 Call In Time: 8:00AM-5:00PM CST Call In Number:
337-427-6336 Directions: Twin Cities Horse Classic Arena 3999 US Hwy 431S Ground
Rules: Permits if needed. Coggins required. No alcohol. Dogs must be on leash. Stock
Contractor: Southern Rodeo Company
April 17-18, 2020 Statesboro, GA IPRA/SPRA
10th Annual Kiwanis Rodeo
Added Money: $1,000.00 BB/SB BR, CR, SW, CBR, TR Entry Fee: $50.00 Performance: 7:30 PM EST
Slack: After each perf Books Open: Wednesday, April 8 Call In Time: 8:00am-5:00pm CST
Call In Number: 337-427-6336 Directions: Kiwanis Fairgrounds 16942 Hwy 67 Ground Rules: Permits if needed. Stock Contractor: Hedrick Rodeo
Company
April 24-25, 2020 Evans, GA IPRA/SPRA
American Hero Pro Rodeo
Added Money: $1,300 BB, SB, BR, $1,000 CR, SW, Bkwy, TR, CBR Entry Fee: $70.00
Performance: 7:30PM EST
Slack: After each perf
Books Open: Wednesday, April 15 Call
In Time: 8:00AM – 5:00PM Call In Number: 337-427-6336
Directions: Columbia County
Fairgrounds, 562 Columbia Rd, Grovetown GA Ground Rules: Permits if needed. Stock
Contractor: Hedrick Rodeo Company
April 24-25, 2020 Greensboro, GA IPRA/SPRA
Green County Livestock Rodeo
Added Money: $500.00 per event Entry Fee: $50.00
Performance: 8:00PM EST
Slack: After each perf Books Open: April 20 Call In Time: 8:00AM – 5:00PM Call In Number: 337-427-6336
Directions: 1201 Kevin Roberts Way Ground Rules: Permits if needed. Stock Contractor: Oubre Rodeo Company
May 1-2, 2020 Clanton, AL
2nd Annual Chilton County Pro Rodeo
Added Money: $500.00 per event Entry Fee: $70.00
Performance: 7:00PM Slack: After each perf Books Open: April 27 Call In Time: 10:00AM-4:00PM CST Call In Number: 205-372-3182 Ground Rules: Permits if needed. Must ride in grand entry. Directions: Exit 212 of I-65, follow signs Stock Contractor: Frontier Classic Rodeo Company
May 1-2, 2020 Bremen, GA IPRA/SPRA
Bremen Pro Rodeo
Added Money: $500.00 per event Entry Fee: $50.00 Performance: 8:00 PM
Slack: Aftereach perf
Books Open: April 27 Call In Time: 8:00AM-5:00PM CST Call In Number:
337-427-6336
Directions: 1196 Hightower Road Ground Rules: Permits if needed. Negative Coggins required. Dogs must be on leash. Stock Contractor: Southern Rodeo Company
May 1-2, 2020 Wetumpka, AL IPRA/SPRA
Elmore County FFA Championship Rodeo
Added Money: $850.00 per event Entry Fee: $60.00
Performance: 8:00PM Slack: After each perf Books Open: April 27 Call In Time: 8:00AM – 5:00PM
Call In Number: 337-427-6336 Directions: Elmore County Softball Fields off Hwy. 14 Ground Rules:
Permits if needed. Stock Contractor: Oubre Rodeo Company
May 8-9, 2020 Attalla, AL
Etowah County Pro Rodeo
Added Money: $500.00 per event Entry Fee: $70.00
Performance: 7:00PM Slack: Friday 10am, After each perf Books Open: May 4 Call In Time: 10:00AM- 4:00PM CST
Call In Number: 205-372-3182 Ground Rules: Permits if needed. Directions: Etowah County Fairgrounds Stock Contractor: Double Creek Rodeo Company
May 8-9, 2020 Fitzgerald, GA IPRA/SPRA
3rd Annual Fitzgerald Rodeo
Added Money: $800.00 per event Entry Fee: $60.00
Performance: 7:30PM Slack: After each perf Books Open: May 4 Call In Time: 8:00AM- 5:00PM CST
Call In Number: 337-427-6336 Ground Rules: Permits if needed. Directions: Paulk Park 146 Paulk Park Road Stock Contractor: T-T Rodeo Company
May 15-16, 2020 Heflin, AL SPRA/IPRA
Cleburne County Chamber of Commerce Rodeo
INCENTIVE RODEO Added Money: $500.00 each event Entry Fee: $70.00 Performance: 7:00PM CST Slack: After each perf Books Open: May 11 Call In Time: 10:00AM-4:00PM Call In Number: 205-372-3182 Directions: Exit 205 off I-20 Ground Rules: Permits if needed. Must ride in grand entry. Stock Contractor: Frontier Classic Rodeo
May 15-16, 2020 Newnan, GA IPRA/SPRA
Coweta County Cattleman’s Association, Inc Rodeo Added Money: $800.00 per event Entry Fee: $60.00 Performance: 8:00PM EST Slack: After each perf Books Open: May 11 Call In Time: 8:00AM – 5:00PM Call In Number: 337-427-6336 Directions: Coweta CountyFairgrounds, 275 Pine Rd Ground Rules: Permits
if needed. Stock Contractor: Oubre Rodeo Company
May 15-16, 2020 Jasper, GA IPRA/SPRA
10th Annual Jasper Stampede
Added Money: $1,000.00 per event Entry Fee: $70.00 Performance: 8:00PM EST Slack: After each perf Books Open: Wed. May 6 Call In Time: 8:00AM-5:00PM Call In Number: 337-427-6336 Directions: Sacketts Arena 100 Shelby Lane Ground Rules: Permits if needed. Negative Coggins Required. Must ride in grand entry. Dogs on leash. Stock Contractor: Southern Rodeo Company
May 22-23, 2020 Hiwassee, GA
Hiwassee Pro Rodeo
Added Money: $500.00 per event Entry Fee: $70.00 Performance: 8:00PM EST Slack: After each perf Books Open: May 18 Call In Time: 10:00AM-4:00PM Call In Number: 205-372-3182 Directions: Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds, 1311 Music Hall Road, Hiwassee, GA 30546 Ground Rules: Permits if needed. Negative Coggins Required. No alcoholic beverages. All dogs on leash. Stock Contractor: Southern Rodeo Company
Short List:
June 5-6 Moundville, AL
June 5-6 Oxford, AL
June 5-6 Shady Dale, GA
June 12-13 Alex City, AL
June 12-13 Moulton, AL
June 19-20 Blairsville, GA
June 19-20 Marietta, GA
July 3-4 Wedowee, AL
July 17-18 Tuscaloosa, AL
July 17-18 Carrollton, GA
August 7-8 Dayton, TN
August 14-15 Ashland, AL
August 14-15 Blue Ridge, GA
September 11-12 Ellijay, GA
September 18-19 Gainesville, GA
September 18-19 Clarkesville, GA
November 6-7 Dublin, GA