To some people it might have been just another rodeo. But to Sandy Quarles, promoter of the Fifth Annual Sandy Oaks Pro Rodeo, it was a smashing success!

For one thing, it didn’t rain as it has done every year since she and her husband Wesley started the Edgefield County rodeo several years ago.

“It was beautiful weather and we had big crowds both nights,” she said of the event held last weekend at the Lazy J Arena, 10 miles west of Edgefield.

The rodeo, which is sanctioned by the International Professional Rodeo Association, is put on by Ken Treadway Rodeo Company.

“We travel all over the United States,” said Pam Treadway. “Professional cowboys enter, hoping to get points. The top 15 in the world qualify to go Oklahoma City for the world championship. We have several World Champion Bucking Horses and Bucking Bulls, a most successful world title. No one east of the Mississippi has won that tile in over 30 years. One of our champion bucking bulls, ‘Upper Hand,’ is here today.”

Treadway also has received the American Paint Horse Association Award and the Top Stock Contractor Producer of the Year Award.

Quarles said she and her husband started the rodeo in 2006 after she had surgery and was unable to work for awhile.

“I had to do something,” she said. “I’m the kind of person who can’t sit still. I had always wanted to do a rodeo. I figured I could walk the streets and tote a briefcase.”

They had purchased the 150-acre tract of land in 1997 and she said she believes in making land “pay for itself.”

Today, she said, she loves her lifestyle.

“I love being home with Wesley, I love my freedom. The rodeo is the perfect thing for us — we’ve always been involved with rodeo in some way or another. I was raised around horses. My dad put me on a plow horse when I was small.”

In the same fashion, she raised her daughter around horses.

“She rode with me when she was three months old,” she said.

Quarles said the Edgefield County event is like a carnival atmosphere with concessions, clowns and events for children, and it draws some of the top rodeo talent in the nation. Fans can watch an assortment of activities such as saddle bronc riding, bareback bronc riding, bull riding, calf roping, steer wrestling, team roping, cowgirl barrel racing and cowgirl breakaway roping.

“We’re proud of our rodeo,” she said. “I don’t know if you’re supposed to say ‘proud.’ But we’re Christian people and no beer is served at this event.
We want to be leaders and show kids that you can have fun in a clean environment.”

Heber Herron of Aiken said he brought his five grandchildren to see the rodeo.

“I enjoy going to rodeos,” he said. “This is my first time at this one, but I think I’ll like it. We have horses and we do trail riding. I’m pretty sure the kids will like it. I like the bull riding best.”

Quarles said she doesn’t measure success in monetary terms.

“If you make people happy, it’s successful,” she said. “In that respect, it’s a real success every year.”

Quarles added that she would like to thank everyone who participated in the rodeo and in the parade the week before.

“I thank the law enforcement people and the mayor who assisted during the parade,” she said. “And especially all the spectators who came out to see the parade and those who participated. I want to thank the ticket outlet people who sold tickets in advance.”

“If you participated in any way shape or form, thank you,” she continued. “Spread the word and let’s make it bigger next year.”