[September 02, 2011] Youth rodeo finals offer look at future Tweet DUNCAN, Sep 02, 2011 (The Duncan Banner - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- It may not attract as much public attention as rodeos featuring nationally-known competitors, but the annual four-day MidSouth Youth Rodeo Cowboys Association Finals begin today at Stephens County Fair & Expo Center. It's a chance for rodeo enthusiasts to get a look at the future of the sport. Rodeo stars have to get their start somewhere, and the MRCA finals are the culmination of a season that spans 10 weekends and 20 performances. This is the fourth year for Stephens County Fair & Expo Center to host the event, and there seems to be a bright future. Deanette Phillips, MRCA secretary and wife of this year's president, Ty Phillips, said the association just signed a two-year contract to keep the rodeo in Duncan. "We love it here. It is such a nice facility and we have good sponsors from this area -- Stockman's, Crutchers and last year, the Dollar Tree," Danette Phillips said, adding that another big promoter of the event is Jud Little Quarterhorses of Ardmore. Phillips is from Ringling, but, she said Duncan really is a good community to promote rodeo events because of the facility and wide-reaching exposure. "We're bringing 131 contestants this year. We have about 175 members. Our numbers are really good this year," she added. Donna Kelly, local fairboard secretary who works in the Fair & Expo Center office, handles events bookings. She's the mother of two children who've been in the MRCA finals, and said contestants come from around the state of Oklahoma and even some from Texas. "It's to develop your youth to go ahead and participate in a professional manner," Kelly said. That development means contributing to the community. Each year the youth bring canned food donations when they register on the first day. Those donations are provided to the food bank in Comanche. This year, they hope to collect enough to also share with a church in Ringling. "It builds citizenship and to teach them to give back to their communities," Phillips said. MRCA competitors also have to be in good standing at school to make it to the finals. When they arrive at the finals, before they can register to compete, the youth must sign thank you cards to the sponsors. Continuing in the character-building aspect of the association, when awards are presented Sunday, "Each one who wins an award has to make a thank you card for their sponsor. We teach them while they are young to always be thankful," Phillips said. There's also a "Tuff Enuf to Wear Pink" night at the rodeo when the youth collect funds for breast cancer awareness and wear pink shirts. Still, this is a competitive rodeo and the youth are all shooting at a championship award and the saddle that goes with it. There's also a $500 senior scholarship available to one male and one female competitor. Phillips said some of the area competitors this year include Jesse Loughridge, 17, and Garrett Morrow, 17, both of Comanche; Makayla Peeples, a senior and her brother, Weston, 14, also of Comanche; Rowdy Swanson, 10, and Chase Kraus, 9, both of Duncan; and the Phillips' daughter, Mikayla, 15. "It is open to the public and we don't always get a lot of people, mostly grandparents, but we do get people who are always willing to help us out," Phillips noted. "This man, Rawley Duntley of Oklahoma City, called us out of the blue and has been announcing for the year at no charge. He's really been a blessing." Registration begins at 3 p.m. today, with the performance slated to start at 7 p.m. Saturday's performances are at 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., and the action resumes Sunday at 2 p.m., with awards being made around 10 a.m. Monday. The rodeo will have youth from riding age through 19 and includes everything from sheep riding to bull riding. "It's just a really good family environment, and helps grow your child in that association and within the rodeo field itself and it's just great family fun," Kelly said. There is no admission charge for youth under 16. ___ (c)2011 The Duncan Banner (Duncan, Okla.) Visit The Duncan Banner (Duncan, Okla.) at www.duncanbanner.com Distributed by MCT Information Services [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]