By By MICHAEL S. HILL
Advance Staff Writer
Some years ago, a country singer swooned, "Mama, don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys." Maybe that singer didn't sell many records here in Atmore, because it doesn't seem like his advice was heeded.
The Atmore Saddle Club hosted its third annual Pee Wee Rodeo at Ray Lambert Arena in Atmore on Aug. 5, 2000, and more than 100 kids age 0-12 from surrounding areas participated.
You might be asking yourself, "What can a child that 6-month-old baby do in a rodeo?"
They can ride sheep in the Mutton Bustin' event, according to Therese Henry, treasurer for the Saddle Club.
Other events included Bull Riding, Calf Roping, Goat Tying, Barrel Racing and Chute Dogging.
First-place winners in each event were presented with silver belt buckles with inscriptions that read "Atmore Saddle Club, Pee Wee Rodeo Champion 2000."
Alverson said kids from Pollard, Brewton, Flomaton, Bratt and Walnut Hill came to the event, but the majority of children were from Atmore.
The following is a list of the first-place winners in each event and the sponsors for both the event and the award buckle:
n Mitchell Rolin won the Mutton Bustin' event, sponsored by Canoe Tack &Feed, and won a buckle also sponsored by Canoe Tack &Feed.
n Corey Flowers won the Bull Riding event, sponsored by Utility Services Inc. of Gulf Breeze, and won a buckle provided by the same company.
n Jacob Johnson won the Calf Roping event, sponsored by the Atmore Saddle Club, and won a buckle also provided by the Saddle Club.
n Ashton Dyas won the Goat Tying event, sponsored by the Atmore Saddle Club, and won a buckle also provided by the Saddle Club.
n Meg Fields won the Barrel Racing event, sponsored by Church's Chicken, and won a buckle provided by the Atmore Saddle Club.
n Hunter Milliken won the Chute Dogging event, sponsored by Pepsi Cola, and won a buckle provided by T&C Custom Vinyl and Trim.
n Laureen Wilson was awarded with the Sportsmanship Award, sponsored by Diamond Gasoline, and won a buckle provided by the same company.
Alverson, Henry, Buckhault and Saddle Club Vice President Todd Bodiford were instrumental in planning the rodeo, but Henry said they could use some help. She said the Saddle Club is accepting members for a yearly membership due of $25.
Pee Wee Rodeo sponsors included: Johnson Ford Inc., Food Fair, David's Paint and Body, Pine Forest Saddlery, All God's Creatures, Cantonment Building Materials, Woody Ash, Cantonment Seed &Feed, Diamond Gasoline, McMurphy Oil, Escambia County Sheriff's Department, Circle "J" Western, Carter Trucks and Tractors, Central Farms, Awards Unlimited, Midtown Auto Parts, Escambia Lawn and Rental and South Main Phillips 66.