Published: August 22, 2008 08:29 am      

MDA Benefit Rodeo continues tonight at Fairpark Complex

Look out Athens! The cowboys are coming to town.

As the 12th Annual MDA Benefit Rodeo kicks into high gear, rodeo contestants have started rolling into town.

This year marks an increase in prize money that has paid dividends in the number of contestants. It is anyone’s game this year as the competition will be stiff.

Friday night’s lineup includes World’s Toughest Cowboy competitor Chad Eubank aboard Stace Smith’s National Finals Rodeo qualifying and reigning Texas Bareback Horse of the Year, Wild Flower. In the saddle bronc riding it’s going to be tough as the cowboys take on Smith Pro Rodeo’s tough line up that includes nine NFR horses. However, it will be the bull riding that will be the stunner as Silverado Rodeo showcases NFR Bull of the Year contenders 426 Silent Image and 455 Buckeye. Will Dustin Wright and Layne McCasland be up to the challenge?

Saturday the competition will continue to be tough. Watch out for local tie-down roper Clint Sorrell as he takes on the fast times of C.R. Bradley and Cimarron Boardman. The action will kick off in the bareback riding with young gun Troy Nail from Kemp aboard Painted Feathers, a horse guaranteed to be in the money. Nail has the potential to win it all if he rides well.

Joining Nail in the bareback riding is DNCFR qualifier Steven Anding from Cross Roads. The night will end with the bull riding, where it looks like Clint Lewis from Terrell has the best opportunity to walk away with the money aboard Cross Roads from Silverado Rodeo.

Rodeo action kicks off nightly at 7:30 p.m., followed by recording artists Pat Green on Friday and Chris Cagle on Saturday. This is an opportunity you don’t want to miss as the top competitors in the PRCA take on the top stock.

Tickets can be purchased at Lone Star Western Wear in Athens and Corsicana, and Cavender’s Boot City in Tyler and Palestine. Tickets are also available online or by phone. For additional information you may visit the website at www.ssrodeo.com, or call Smith Pro Rodeos at 970-489-2652 or 888-822-5919.