There’s A Rodeo Around Here

Lincoln Event Draws Large Crowds

LINCOLN — One of the most popular events in Northwest Arkansas is the Lincoln Rodeo, which kicks off today with the sponsors’ dinner, at 5:30 p.m.

“We’re one of the biggest little rodeos in Northwest Arkansas,” said Jimmy Jetton, president of the Lincoln Riding Club, which hosts the rodeo.

Jetton said he anticipates the three-night rodeo will draw 1,000 spectators and 80 contestants each night. The rodeo celebrates 59 years in 2012. The cost for the sponsor’s dinner is $5 a plate and everyone is welcome but sponsors will be served first and there is limited seating. This evening the 2012 Little Mister and Little Miss Lincoln Riding Club will be announced and other royalty contestants will be modeled.

A street dance from 8 to 11 p.m. will be held at the Lincoln Square tonight featuring music by Howard Lester and the Boston Mountain Playboys.

Tomorrow is Family Night, tickets are $7 for adults and $2 for kids, 6-10. At 7:30 p.m., the stick horse grand entry will be led by Little Mister and Little Miss Lincoln Rodeo 2012, followed by the 8 p.m. rodeo performance. Jetton noted there will be slack time following the Thursday and Friday performances.

On Friday, the stick horse grand entry is at 7:30 p.m., followed by the rodeo performance at 8 p.m. Tickets are $7 for adults and $4 for kids, 610.

On Saturday, the royalty competition begins at 9 a.m. At 4 p.m., participants line up for rodeo parade at the rodeo arena. All parade participants will receive free admission to Saturday night rodeo.

The rodeo parade begins at 4:30 p.m., followed by the stick horse grand entry, at 7:30 p.m. and final rodeo performance, at 8 p.m. Tickets are $8 for adults, which includes the dance. After the rodeo performance, the rodeo will conclude with “Dancing in the Dirt” at the arena featuring music by 540 Detour.

Omak Rodeo Company,

of Oologah, Okla., is providing the stock. The rodeo is sanctioned by American Cowboys Rodeo Association and the International Professional Rodeo Association. Competition will include: saddle bronc, bareback riding, calf roping, break-a-way roping, steer wrestling, team roping, bull riding and barrel racing,

MARK HUMPHREY ENTERPRISE-LEADER ShaLynn Napier, 12, of West Fork, keeps herself on the horse with one foot in the stirrup. Napier won the saddle by being the Lincoln Riding Club Play Day overall points champion for 2011. She is also sporting a buckle for taking first in her age group, 10-13, in 2011.

MARK HUMPHREY ENTERPRISE-LEADER Heidi Rust, 8, gets some advice from her grandfather, Bruce Napier. As a 3-year-old, Rust placed second in the all-around barrels at Grove, Okla., in rodeo competition. Her mother, Beverly Napier, said she was born in the saddle.