Washington County Enterprise-Leader
Parade Time
ARENA MUDDY FRIDAY AND SATURDAY
Despite rain showers on and off throughout Saturday afternoon, the Lincoln Rodeo parade went on as scheduled.
LINCOLN — Rain showers made the Lincoln Riding Club Arena muddy, but that only livened up the fun during the 64th annual Lincoln Rodeo held last weekend.
Thunderstorms moved across the area after Thursdays rodeo performance and continued off and on Friday. They subsided enough that the rodeo parade went off without a hitch Saturday afternoon. The clouds then lifted just before the final rodeo performance Saturday night.
Shayla Fox won the 2017 64th annual Lincoln Riding Club Rodeo Queen. Fox recieved a $200 Joyce Madar Memorial Academic Scholarship. Fox considers holding the title Miss Lincoln Riding Club an honor, and likes having the opportunity to promote the Lincoln Rodeo and influence the event’s growth in a positive way.
“I believe in the significance of sharing the thrilling sport of rodeo with people in our small community, as well as the importance of encouraging everyone to participate in the family-oriented sport, at least once,” Fox said.
Fox wants to impact younger generations and remind them of the traditional values associated with rodeo. Fox, 17, is the daughter of Fannie Davenport, and has been riding by herself since she was 3-years-old. She is a founding member of the Lincoln Riding Club Regulators precision drill team, one of 12 riders who perform drill performances at local rodeos and horse festivals.
Hannah Taylor was first runner-up in the queen contest. Taylor, 17, is the daughter of Tim
and Amy Taylor, of Fayetteville. She is finishing up junior year at Farmington High School.
Alexis Arnold competed for and won the junior queen crown. Arnold, 14, is the daughter of Mike and Amanda Arnold, of Cane Hill. She is completing her eighth grade year at Lincoln where she is on the AB Honor Roll. Arnold enjoys promoting the Lincoln Riding Club, and the sport of rodeo. She has been riding since she can remember, and horses are her passion. One of her favorite things to do is saddle up and take a ride in the pasture.
“I have always wanted to be part of rodeo,” Arnold said. “Rodeo makes me who I am today. Whether it is competing in an event, performing in a drill, rocking it in a horsemanship, or even just watching the events, it feels like home. The sport of rodeo is a sport I love to support and promote.”
Arnold is part of the Arkansas Fillies Drill Team, and enjoys participating in Lincoln Riding Club playdays.
Oliva Moody was crowned 2017 LRC Princess. Olivia is the 10-yearold daughter of Hannah Johnson and Josh Moody, of Siloam Springs. She is in the fifth grade and attends Siloam Springs Intermediate School. Bailey Sizemore, 6, daughter of Ben and Beverly Shockey, of Watts, Okla., was first runner-up. She is in the first grade at Westville, Okla., Elementary School.
Ethan Parker won the 2017 Lil’ Mister while Bella Cate Keenen won the 2017 Lil’ Miss titles. Ethan is the 6-year-old son of Bryce and Jessie Parker, of Farmington. He is in Kindergarten at Folsom Elementary School in Farmington. Bella Cate is the 4-year-old daughter of Grant and Heather Keenen, of Prairie Grove. She attends pre-school at Ms. LaDonna & Nana’s Playhouse.
Jackson Hutchison and Karson Sampley also competed in the Lil’ Mister contest; while Emmalee Parker was first runner-up in the Lil’ Miss contest.
After the Lil’ Mister and Lil’ Miss contest last Wednesday, Howard Lester and the Boston Mountain Playboys struck up a lively tune, beginning their first set of the 2017 street dance by covering Waylon Jennings’ “Rose In Paradise.”
Band members are: Howard Lester, guitar, vocals; Jimmy Fields, guitar, vocals; Chris Lynch, bass, vocals; Heather Replogle Keenen, vocals; Stacy Pixley, fiddle; and Tyler Bottje, drums. This year, 6-year-old Braxton Blankenship, 2016 Lil’ Mister; joined the band on-stage, playing a telecaster guitar.