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Horse champion wears many hatsATHENS, May 16, 2013 (The Decatur Daily - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- This is a big week for Lacey Scott. Her family and many of her cowboy friends are coming to town. It's Limestone County Sheriff's Rodeo time, and the Athens resident is one of eight world champions registered to compete. Paul Cain, of the sheriff's department, said 345 competitors registered for the rodeo at the Limestone County Sheriff's Arena on Alabama 99. It begins 9 a.m. today with the slack competition. Competitors are eligible to win in their event. The rodeo continues Friday and Saturday nights. Cain said the number of competitors is down slightly this year because there are three other rodeos in the South this weekend. "It's down this year, but we've got more champions," Cain said. Lone Star Rodeo champions registered for the Limestone rodeo are Scott, calf roping; Josh Cragar, bareback rider; Preston Fowlkes III, saddle bronc rider; Zach Hall, calf roper; Jamie Hall, breakaway roping; Troy Orr, steer wrestling; John Alley and Clark Adcock, team roping; and Logan Moore, bull riding. Cain said they became world champions when they compiled enough season points last year and won the Lone Star National finals in January at the Von Braun Center in Huntsville. The Lone Star tour holds rodeos in 11 states. Scott grew up in her family's horse business in Hernando, Miss., and she began competing at a young age. At 12, she made an international finals in Oklahoma City, Okla. After attending Texas A&M University on a rodeo scholarship, the 24-year-old moved to Athens about two years ago because of her friends, Bryan and Robin Abernathy. She works as a financial analyst during the week and a cowgirl on weekends. She has a side business in which she trains and rides horses in the competitions before selling them. Scott will be riding Big Red on Saturday night even though he's already been sold. "Big Red is one of my better horses," Scott said. "We definitely have the potential to do well." The Limestone rodeo has been held 31 years. "They know how to put on a good show for the fans," Scott said. "But they also know how to take care of the cowboys." Scott will have to play hostess in addition to cowgirl. Her boyfriend, John "Sanchez" Beckwith, will compete in the calf-roping contest. His birthday is Thursday, so his parents are coming to visit. Scott said she's looking forward to seeing her rodeo friends, too. "There will be a lot of people coming from Texas who I haven't seen in a while." Bayne Hughes can be reached at 256-340-2432 or [email protected]. Sheriff's rodeo Following is a schedule of events for the 31st annual Limestone County Sheriff's Rodeo: -- Today: Slack competition, 9 a.m. gates open and competition begins at 10. Cost is $5. -- Friday: Exceptional Rodeo for more than 300 special needs children and adults. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. -- Friday and Saturday: Sheriff's Rodeo, 6 p.m. gates open, with kids gold rush at 7 and opening ceremonies at 8. -- Tickets: Advanced tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for 12 and younger. Tickets are $15 and $10 at the gate. Tickets are available at sheriff's office, Railroad Bazaar in Athens, Jiffy No. 1 and 2, Preston's, West End Chevron, True Discount in Ardmore and Warren's BP in Rogersville. ___ (c)2013 The Decatur Daily (Decatur, Ala.) Visit The Decatur Daily (Decatur, Ala.) at www.decaturdaily.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |