SADDLE UP: SIKESTON BOOTHEEL RODEO READIES FOR WEDNESDAY START

SIKESTON -- Cowgirls and cowboys toting roughouts and hobbles, latigos and lariats will saunter into the Bootheel Rodeo Grounds next week for the 46th Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo.

Starting Wednesday, steers will houlihan, and horses will gallop the cloverleaf while cowboys toil for an appearance at the pay window. After the cowbells and riding gloves and stirrups are packed late Saturday, the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association competitors will ride away from Missouri's biggest rodeo with $100,000 in prize money.

Sikeston Jaycees president Dennis Fraser said from 300 to 400 contestants will compete in the rodeo. Among headliners expected to take part are Ty Murray and Trevor Brazile. Murray, who has pocketed $122,745 in winnings this year, leads the PRCA world all-around cowboy standings. Brazile is second at $89,963.

This year's rodeo will have an extra bull-riding event. Rodeo co-chairman Greg Turnbow said 105 riders entered the event, but only the top 60 were accepted. Other events include barrel racing, saddle-bronc riding, steer wrestling, calf roping, bareback riding and bull fighting, one of the most popular competitions.

Slack events after the rodeo wraps up the first two nights could run until 4 a.m, Turnbow said, adding: "The best might not happen during the rodeo. It might happen at 2 in the morning."

Fraser said he expects about 15,000 rodeo-goers and volunteers each night to fill the rodeo grounds, which seat 11,500. According to a survey by the Jaycees, about half will come to watch the cowboys and half will come to boot-scoot to the country music acts, and many will come for both.

"We've got the best cowboys and we've got the best entertainment," Turnbow said. "You can't lose."

Clint Black will perform Wednesday, the Charlie Daniels Band on Thursday, Ricochet on Friday and David Lee Murphy on Saturday. "This is the strongest lineup we have ever had in the history of the rodeo," said entertainment chairman Shannon Garrett.

Jaycees volunteers are busy tending the grounds, painting, readying restrooms and concession stands and doing numerous other chores. The rodeo's proceeds will benefit local charities.

"We'll give a little bit of money to everybody who depends on it," Fraser said. "Every year there's a need that comes up, and we'll give most of the money to that need."

Wednesday

5 p.m., Parade

7 p.m., Pre-rodeo activities at rodeo grounds

7:30 p.m., Rodeo featuring Clint Black

Thursday

7 p.m., Pre-rodeo activities at rodeo grounds

7:30 p.m., Rodeo featuring Charlie Daniels

Friday

7 p.m., Pre-rodeo activities at the rodeo grounds

7:30 p.m., Rodeo featuring Ricochet

Saturday

10 a.m.-5 p.m., Red Neck Barbecue Cookoff Contest on the Chamber grounds

11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Lunch with the Rodeo clowns in American Legion Park

7 p.m., Pre-rodeo activities at the Rodeo Grounds

7:30 p.m. Rodeo featuring David Lee Murphy