Peach Rodeo

The Peach Regional Rodeo is a fund-raising event introduced in 2002 by Masonic Lodge No. 110. The event has gained overwhelming approval and captured the hearts of enthusiastic rodeo fans throughout the region and contestants from all over the United States.

Sanctioned by the Professional Cowboy Association, the event brings a new kind of excitement and fun to the region, and has been wholeheartedly endorsed by Fort Valley Mayor John Stumbo, the Peach County Chamber of Commerce, former State Rep. Robert Ray as well as many prominent business leaders. The next rodeo will be Oct. 20-21, 2007, at the intersection of Peach Parkway and Hwy. 49 outside Fort Valley.

The goal of the Masons is to create a regional event that will grow from year to year - producing revenue that will provide continued funding for the Masonic Benevolence Fund. Profits from this endeavor will be distributed to state and local charities within the region as the Masonic Lodge expands its efforts to address the needs of the community.

The rodeo is divided into two categories; riding events and timed events.

Riding Events include bareback bronc riding, saddle bronc riding and bull riding. Riding contestants receive a score from each of the judges based on riding style, control and ability to make the 8 second whistle. Each judge awards points on how well they ride and they score the horse or bull on the same point scale for how well the animal bucks. If the animal bucks the rider off, the judges will record a score only for the animal.

Timed Events include steer wrestling, team roping, cowgirls barrel racing, and calf roping. Contestants try to compete their events the quickest without receiving any time penalties for breaking the rules of their events.

Bareback Bronc Riding
The rider holds onto the leather handle of a rigging which is a wide belt that fits around the horse’s mid section just behind the shoulders. The cowboy must "mark the animal out" by positioning his heels over the horse’s shoulders on the first jump out of the chute. Each time the horse kicks, the cowboy brings his knees toward his body, keeping his heels against the horse and his toes turned out (an action called "spurring"), then stretches his legs out again. Higher scores reflect frequent "spurring" because of the degree of difficulty.

Steer Wrestling
This event was originally called "bulldogging" and requires the cowboy to lean from a running horse onto the back of a 600-pound steer, catch it behind the horns, stop the steers forward momentum and wrestle it to the ground with all four of it’s legs and head pointing in the same direction. The bulldogger is assisted by the hazer, who rides along the steers right to keep the animal running straight.

Team Roping
Team roping is the only rodeo event that features two contestants. The team is made up of a header and a heeler. The header ropes the horns, then dallies or wraps his rope around his saddle horn and turns the steer to the left for the other cowboy who ropes the heels. The heeler must throw the loop with precision timing to catch both of the steers hind legs. Once both ropers have made a catch, pulled their horses and steer to a stop, and are facing each other, the time clock stops.

Saddle Bronc Riding
Known as rodeo’s classic event or original contest, saddle bronc riding can easily be identified by the "rocking chair motion" of the rider. A bronc rider holds onto a thickly braided buck rein which is attached to the halter of the horse’s head. On the first jump out of the chute, the rider must "mark the animal out" by keeping his heels in the well of the horse's neck, which makes it tougher for the rider and easier for the horse. If he fails to do it, he is disqualified. Saddle Bronc horses are usually bigger and stouter than those in bareback riding.

Barrel Racing
This event is a horse race with turns. The contestants time begins as the horse crosses the starting line in the arena. The rider makes the run around three upright barrels which are arranged in a cloverleaf pattern and back to the starting line where the clock stops. Tipping a barrel is permitted, but if it is knocked to the ground, a 5-second penalty is added to her time.

Calf Roping
Calf roping is an authentic ranch skill that originated with working cowboys. Once the calf has been roped, the cowboy dismounts and runs down the length of the rope to the calf. When the calf is on the ground, the cowboy ties three legs together with a six-foot pigging string. Calves must be given a head start, and if the cowboy’s horse leaves the box too soon and breaks the barrier, a 10-second penalty is added to the roper’s time. In calf roping, a tenth of a second can often make the difference between winning and losing.

Bull Riding
Bull riders, who might not weight more than 150 lbs, place a flat braided rope around a bull that weighs almost 2,000 lbs. The bull rope is placed around the animal, just behind it’s shoulders. It is then looped and threaded through itself and the cowboy wraps it around his riding hand with only his grip holding him in place. While there is no "mark out" rule in bull riding, the rider relies on balance and leg strength to make the 8-second buzzer. Look for bull riders to sit up close to their bull ropes and to turn their toes out because rides are judged on the riding style of the competitor and the bucking ability of the bull. Youngest of the seven standard rodeo events, bull riding has been voted on by sportswriters as the most dangerous sport in America because a bull will often attack a rider once he is on the ground.

Miss Peach Regional Rodeo
The Peach Regional Rodeo crowns a Rodeo Queen each year. This selection is made from interested applicants from Peach County and area communities. In conjunction with Miss Rodeo USA, she serves as the local representative to promote and further rodeo activities within the region. During the days leading up to the Peach Regional Rodeo she participates in interviews, radio spots, advertising, and marketing. During rodeo days she rides in the Peach Regional Rodeo Parade in Fort Valley as well as participates in the grand entry ceremonies. For the fifth straight year the Masonic Lodges in Georgia are proud to sponsor Miss Peach Regional Rodeo.