By By ROBERT BLANKENSHIP
Advance Managing Editor
Local cowboys and cowgirls recently competed in the Alabama Junior Rodeo Association and the Alabama High School state finals in Montgomery and brought back a number of awards and trophies.
Among those who performed well was Trent Flowers who was named the AJRA Rookie of the Year. He was awarded with a prize that included a saddle and belt buckle.
Another big winner was Tracey Coleman who was named the Alabama High School Rodeo Queen.
The AJRA rodeo was held June 15-17 while the Alabama High School Rodeo was held June 13-16.
In AJRA, each child is required to sell $250 in ads in order to compete at the finals.
In addition to their talents as cowboys and cowgirls, they also must perform well in the classroom. Only those who meet certain grade requirements are allowed to compete.
After the final day of competition the contestants enjoyed a luau.
The following are individual results from the AJRA competition.
Rookies n Girls
Megan Donald is in her first year of competing in the AJRA. She competed in barrels, poles and goat tying. She received an AJRA plaque, an "A" honor roll plaque and halter.
Rachel Fuller, 8-years-old, competed in barrels, poles and goats. She made it back to the short-go in pole bending. She brought home a belt buckle for a fourth place finish in poles and another the third place buckle for rookies. She received a "A-B" honor roll certificate, an AJRA plaque and a halter. She also came in second place for selling the most ads.
Lauren Wilson competed in barrels, poles and goats. She received an AJRA plaque, t-shirt and halter. She also was awarded an "A-B" honor roll certificate.
Rookies n Boys
Bradley Flowers, 12-years-old, competed in chute dogging and bull riding. He received an AJRA plaque, t-shirt and halter.
Steven Campbell, 14-years-old, placed third in bull riding and received a belt buckle and a pair of chaps. He was also awarded with a t-shirt, AJRA plaque and halter.
Flowers won second place in bull riding and third place in chute dogging to help him earn rookie of the year honors. He recieved a saddle, two belt buckles and a pair of chaps. He was also awarded an AJRA plaque, t-shirt and halter.
Veterans
Cody Kent is a five-year veteran of rodeo competition. He won a saddle and a buckle for winning the team-roping event. He also received belt buckles for the following events: placed third in calf roping; second in boys break-away; and third in All-Around Cowboy. He also received an AJRA plaque, t-shirt and halter.
Brandon Moore is in his second year with the rodeo. He competed in bull riding and chute dogging. He placed second in chute dogging and won a belt buckle and brought home a saddle and a belt buckle for winning the bull riding competition. He also earned an "A-B" honor roll certificate, AJRA plaque, t-shirt, halter and bull-riding chaps.
Brady Ammons is a three-year veteran of the AJRA. She won the girls all-around, bringing home a saddle and a belt buckle. She placed fourth in goat tying, third in barrels, third in girls break-away roping, earning a belt buckle for each. She also received an "A-B" honor roll certificate, an AJRA plaque, t-shirt and horse halter.
Cheyanne Buckhault, a 9-year-old who is in her second year of competing in the AJRA, was the youngest to compete in the AJRA Queen Contest. She won the Miss Congeniality award and was named "Miss Annie Oakley." She placed highest in the interview session and received a water bucket filled with prizes. She received an "A" honor roll plaque, AJRA plaque, t-shirt, horse halter and a set of reins. She competed in barrels, poles and goat tying.
Following are those who competed in the AHS Rodeo.
Tracey Coleman competed in the team roping, goat tying and barrel events. She was named Queen of the High School Rodeo.
Chris Jay competed in team roping.
Amanda Flowers competed in barrels and goat tying.
Dempsey Rolin competed in the bull riding event.
Those wishing to know more about the AJRA may contact Monica Buckhault, Scott Fuller or Scotty Flowers.