ProRodeo Sports News - February 9, 2018

A bull charges but can’t find a target as a cowboy seesaws his way above the arena grounds during a break in the action at Rodeo Rapid City Up and Away

(S.D.), Feb. 3.

Mary Peters photo

NHSRA adds membership in Mexico The National High School Rodeo Association expanded its membership into Mexico. After several months of communication with the Mexican Rodeo Federation, NHSRA Executive Director James Higginbotham and Guillermo “Memo” Herrera, president of the Mexican Rodeo Federation, signed an agree- ment to organize the Mexican High School Rodeo Association governed by the NHSRA. Mexico officially became a member Jan. 2. Herrera visited the 2018 NHSRA Mid-Winter Meeting to discuss rules, bylaws and events. Herrera will serve as the Mexico National Director. He said there are already youth levels of rodeo competition within the Mexican Rodeo Federation, “so we are going to implement and improve the system we have now.” In the first year, the Mexican High School Rodeo Association plans to offer five to seven events for the High School Division members and four to six events for the members in the Junior High Division and grow from there. “This is the best news for the MRF (Mexican Rodeo Federation) since signing on with the PRCA,” Herrera said. “I’m very glad to be part of this large youth association, it’s a great opportunity for the Mexican cowboys and cowgirls, as well as for the Federation to increase the number of memberships and increase the level of competition.” The vision of the Mexican High School Rodeo Association is to provide a good foundation for the youth and sport of rodeo. Herrera said, “I am sure the Mexican High School Rodeo Association is going to provide us with better contestants for the future of rodeo, contestants with more fair-play competi- tion, and with more respect and values to the sport.” Owner may have big plans for Mesquite According to a Feb. 2 report on nbcdfw.com, the historic PRCA Mesquite (Texas) Rodeo has a new owner with big plans for improvements to the venue and new development on the property around it.

The PRCA Mesquite Rodeo celebrated its 60th anniversary last year, according to Mesquite Mayor Stan Pickett. Pickett is more excited about the future plans of developer Mehrdad Moyadi. In October, Moyadi completed a $350 million renovation of the Statler Hotel in downtown Dallas. At the rodeo site west of Interstate 635 LBJ Freeway at Scyene Road, Pickett said Moyadi has a contract to purchase 50 acres of vacant land where apartments and new entertainment attractions are planned. At the rodeo arena, the developer plans to install a concrete floor that would make the venue more than just a rodeo arena. Dirt could be trucked in for the rodeo season. Work is underway at the arena. Economic boon from San Angelo rodeo The 86th San Angelo (Texas) Stock Show & Rodeo officially kicked off with the arrival of livestock, the opening of commercial and creative arts exhib- its, midway food vendors, the carnival and the first rodeo performance Feb. 2. This is the fifth year the event will offer 12 rodeo performances spread over three weekends. The short-go finals will be at 7:30 p.m. (CT), Feb. 16. The annual stock show and rodeo is expected to pump more than $15 million into the local economy, according to a Jan. 28 article in the San Angelo Standard-Times . Poly Royal Rodeo at Spanos Stadium The 78th annual Poly Royal Rodeo will be at Alex G. Spanos Stadium on Cal Poly’s campus in San Luis Obispo, Calif., for the second consecutive year, the school announced Jan. 25. The 11,000-seat venue typically used for Cal Poly football and soccer games filled with more than 10,000 spectators for last year’s event – despite a rainout on the first night of competition. Last year, workers spread out 1,500 sheets of plywood and covered them in 2,000 cubic yards of dirt to convert the grass football field into a rodeo arena. This year’s rodeo will be April 13-14.

ProRodeo Sports News 2/9/18

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