who ’ ve spent a fair amount of time on a horse . Some have competed themselves at some level . The 2021 competition brought some first rate entries . The bareback winner , Bill Tutor , of Huntsville , also won at Santa Rosa , Panola County and Killeen . He was No . 26 in the world standings .
Brodie Cross , of Hillsdale , Wyoming , took the saddle bronc prize . He ’ s won over $ 1.2 million in his career . Last year ’ s titles include the Calgary Stampede .
Sammy Andrews Rodeo Company brings top notch stock to the event , Hillhouse said . Andrews is a third generation contractor who began producing amateur rodeos in 1980 and bought his PRCA Card in 1987 . When the bulls are really spinning and the broncs are spinning , it gives those aboard a chance to rack up a big score .
Andrews has more than 25 of the Athens rodeos on the resume .
Hillhouse said he ’ s glad to have the Bull Fighters Only show returning , because it is a crowd-pleaser that takes place after the regular rodeo events . BFO was founded by bullfighters and is a professional league for those whose job is protecting the cowboys from the huge bovines they ’ re riding .
They are competing against the meanest fighting bulls to rack up points and win money . BFO competitions have been held at AT & T Stadium in Arlington , Charlotte Motor Speedway in North Carolina and MGM Grand in Las Vegas .
The Athens rodeo actually got its start in 1985 , in the heat of the summer as part of the Black- Eyed Pea Jamboree . The action was soon moved to the spring and in 1989 changed to a PRCA event . That ’ s the year Andrews came aboard and the rodeo solidified its status as a fan favorite .
Many of the faces in the crowd at the Athens events come to not only see the competition , but enjoy the music . The Wesley Pruitt Band was signed for Friday and Jason Boland & The Stragglers for Saturday . The concerts are included with the price of the tickets .
Rodeo times are 7:30 p . m ., April 23 and 24 . Ticket information is available on www . eventbrite . com
( All photos from the files of ADR )
18 | Greater Athens Magazine | April 2022