Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;}

Despite the fact that Friday night’s performance was rained out, the Sandy Oaks Pro Rodeo last weekend turned out to be a great success, said Sandy Quarles, organizer and co-owner of the Lazy J Arena.

‘The rodeo turned out good,” she said. “Friday night was called off because the rain was coming in and we didn’t want to start and have to stop.”

Saturday night, the stands were packed said Quarles.

“We had lots of world champions, including Shawn Minor,” she said. “We had the World Champion Bull for 2010 named “Upper Hand” and the 2011 World Champion Bucking Bull named “Wolverine.” Then, we had “Baldfaced Bill,” the 2010 IPRA Regional Champion Saddle Bronc Bucking Horse.”

She said those who didn’t come out and see the specialty act of Rawhide and Dusty really missed out.

“It was amazing,” she said. “When that horse was going up on that trailer and teeter-tottering and when Rawhide was driving out of the arena with that horse on top of the trailer, that was something.”

Quarles said the crew on Sunday was different than on Saturday.

“The contestants who didn’t get to compete on Friday night came back on Sunday and we had a competition on Sunday afternoon,” she said. “On Saturday night, a bunch of them went to Hampton, Ga. for a rodeo and came back here for Sunday.”

She said they had some good bucking horses on Sunday.

“We had Saddle Bronc, Barrel Racing, Bull Riding, Cowgirl Barrel Racing, Bareback Bronc, Steer Wrestling, Tie-Down Roping and Cowgirl Break-Away Roping,” she said.

Quarles said she and her husband Wesley are already getting ready for the next rodeo.

“We’re always getting ready for a rodeo,” she said. “We’re planning for the next one as soon as one is over. We belong to the IPRA and that is how we get our contestants. There is one winner, but many who place.”

She said she loves the rodeo.

“I enjoy going around and talking to my sponsors,” she said. “I can’t thank them enough. They are great. I thank the sponsors for getting lights around the arena. I want to thank the people of Edgefield County and all of the spectators who came out. I feel like we put on a good rodeo for them.”

Photo by Skip Kask