Thursday, February 25, 2010

Ranch Rodeo

For Immediate Release For more information, contact:
February 23, 2010 Candice McElyea
(941) 757-1546


RANCH RODEO TO BENEFIT LOCAL STUDENTS


The Manatee County Cattlemen’s Association will host a ranch rodeo at noon on Saturday, March 6th at the Manatee County Fair Grounds in Palmetto. Competitors in the rodeo are local cowboys and cowgirls and proceeds will go to a great cause: The Cattlemen’s Association will share proceeds with the Agriculture Museum in Palmetto and three local Future Farmers of America (FFA) groups from local schools.

“This rodeo is going to be an amazing event,” said Jason McKendree, Schroeder-Manatee Ranch’s cattle and land manager, who is also vice-president of the Cattlemen’s Association. “These cowboys and cowgirls have roots that run deep in Manatee County and this rodeo will be like none other—all of the events are based on every day ranch life and skills that take some a lifetime to master. We have a Lakewood Ranch High School senior, Clinton Thum, who is competing for the first time with his grandfather and it should be a lot of fun to watch!” McKendree is also participating on one of the rodeo teams.

The rodeo kicks off the Heritage Festival, which begins the following weekend at the Agriculture Museum. During the festival, the museum will feature a display by photographer Jimmy Peters, who spent several days riding with many rodeo contestants and documenting their everyday lives. “We know our rodeo is supporting two great causes,” said McKendree. “The Agriculture Museum preserves our heritage as cowboys and the legacy of our ranches, like Schroeder-Manatee Ranch. We are also proud to be supporting the FFA.”

Admission to the rodeo is $5 per person and lunch will be served by the Junior Cattlemen’s Association starting at 11 a.m. The performance starts at “high noon.”