Published: December 04, 2007 09:25 pm            

Rodeo clown entertains Holly Pond students

HOLLY POND — The 10th Annual Cullman Sheriff’s Office Rodeo has county school kids wishing the weekend was today, after rodeo clown Mike Wentworth paid them a visit this week.

Wentworth has been a part of the Cullman County Sheriff’s annual rodeo for six years and has been visiting county school children for three years. He said it was a fun way to teach children about the different events being held at this year’s rodeo.

Wentworth told children at Holly Pond Elementary on Tuesday about the various events including calf roping, bull riding and the cowgirls break-away roping. He said the cowgirls break-away roping is a fairly new event. In the event cowgirls ride out on horseback and lasso a running calf. Once lassoed the tension created between the calf and rider causes the rope to break, stopping the clock.

Children were excited to hear about the different events offered up for them and their parents. Wentworth told the students about an event called Gold Rush. He said a large tarp will be laid out in the middle of the ring and it will be covered in hay. Children will have to dive in and dig for prizes, including cold hard cash. Kids can also race a stick horse similar to the cowboy’s barrel race.

Wentworth said every night of the rodeo four bicycles will be given away to children who fill out a card when arriving at Friday and Saturday night’s event.

But don’t fret, Wentworth said there are contests for the adults as well. He said ladies will compete in an envelope race, with the winner walking out with a pair of diamond earrings, courtesy of Gold Rush Jewelry.

Manly men in Cullman will have an opportunity to get in the ring and saddle a steer. The event requires a two-man team, with one leading the steer while the other is left to try to ride it across the finish line. Wentworth said the winning team will earn $150.

        

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