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 […]
James and his wife, Lisa Bearden - courtesy of the family
story by Lily Weinacht
James Bearden grew up in a Western environment showing horses and barrel racing, but it wasn’t until he was 14 that he found his passion in life – bull riding. And while the 55 year old from Anniston, Ala., retired from the event 15 years ago, he soon found another niche, this time as a rodeo judge for several associations, chief among them the SPRA.
“Growing up, some of the older guys I knew rode bulls and rodeoed, and at one of the rodeos I was watching, one of the bull riders didn’t get on his bull. My friends asked me if I wanted to do it, and from that day on, I craved it!” James remembers. “I rode bareback horses a little bit, but I did bulls for 24 years, mostly with the PCA, ACA, and Lone Star Rodeo Company. Preston Fowlkes from Lone Star Rodeo Company was tough on me at the start, but he was always there for me. In 1979, I went to Jerry Beagley’s bull riding school, and he taught me a whole lot about riding.” When he was 34, however, James broke his arm at a rodeo, which proved the beginning of the end of his competition days. “Your heart tells you that you want to keep riding, but your body says you can’t,” says James, who also likes to say that the only rope his hand will fit in is a bull rope.
Following his injury in the early ‘90s, James was asked by Preston to come judge several Lone Star rodeos. He soon added ACA rodeos to his résumé, and has been the judge commissioner for the association for the last eight years. “I enjoy judging,” says James. “It keeps me involved in the sport, and especially when rodeo is in my blood, I wouldn’t have it any other way! I have two daughters, Lacey and Cristi, that barrel race, and my step sons, Trey Moore, and Cole Moore, ride broncs and bulls, so it’s a family sport for us.”
James and his wife, Lisa, became even more involved when the SPRA asked them to help work their rodeos when they first formed the association four years ago. Lisa secretaries many of the SPRA rodeos, including the finals for the last three years, while James judges nearly all of the SPRA rodeos, as well as their finals every year. “Rodeo is a large family, and I enjoy helping all the young guys coming along. My wife and I are like the parents of the rodeo, and we really enjoy helping people out,” James explains.
During the week, James works for Honeywell Aerospace in the quality department, where he inspects the moving internal parts of airplanes for stress cracks or other damage. James has been working for the company for 28 years and was recently promoted as the NDT Level III site leader of the Tulsa, Okla., facility. “We’re pretty laid back – there’s no getting in a hurry and making a mistake, especially when we measure everything in parts per million.”
When they have a weekend that’s not dedicated to rodeos, James and Lisa stay in their house on the river outside of Anniston and go fishing, while hunting occupies much of their time in the winter. Playing with their two grandsons, Evan (10), and Jace (1), also gives them great pleasure.
James anticipates retiring from his aircraft work in the near future, and then he and Lisa plan to get their IPRA cards and judge rodeos around the country. “But we’ll never quit the SPRA,” says James. “They’re the young, up-and-coming association in the region. They’re like family to us, and they put the contestants first. We’ll always be involved in the SPRA.”
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