Posted by The lights in the arena turned on once more June 8 for the 67th annual Johnson County Sheriff’s Posse Pro Rodeo in Cleburne, Texas.
The four-day long rodeo had a record crowd of 15,000 in attendance. “The largest crowd we had in the past years looks like it was around 11,000.” Lieutenant Kit Woody said.
The JCSP Pro rodeo had many world champions in attendance this year including two-time world champion Bull rider JB Mauney and 19-time world champion WPRA cowgirl Jackie Crawford.
“We had 39 current and past world champions entered in our rodeo this year,” Woody said. “We had contestants from Brazil, Australia, and of course, the United States and Canada.”
Seven-time NFR qualifier Sterling Crawley also made an appearance, winning the Saddle Bronc Riding with an 88.5 score atop United Pro Rodeo’s Ropin Dreams.
Two-time Bull fighter of the year Cody Webster showed up, joining Brody Smith in the arena.
“He’s been with us more than 12 years,” Woody said. “I think this was his 13 year with us. The Johnson County Sheriff’s Posse rodeo was his very first PRCA rodeo. He called me 13 years ago and asked if he could come and that was back whenever we hired our own bullfighters. We hired him and he was looking for a place to start.”
Webster has participated in the JCSP rodeo every year since then.
According to Woody, he even helps with their marketing and social media.
Pro rodeo announcer West Huggins is another major part of this rodeo, helping with its marketing as well.
“Huggins has been with us for 12 years now,” Woody said. “He is very, very instrumental in the success of our rodeo. 12 years ago, when West began announcing our rodeo, he started immediately helping us with some new ideas and marketing strategies.”
Lieutenant Woody knows what it’s like to be in the world of pro rodeo and what it’s like to participate in the JCSP rodeo.
“I’ve won this rodeo in the Steer Wrestling here at Cleburne more than anyone else,” Woody said. “I’ve won this rodeo six times.”
Woody rodeoed for 25 years in the PRCA before joining the JCSP 20 years ago.
The Johnson County Sheriff’s Posse is an all-volunteer not for profit organization comprised of 100+ active members who volunteer their time to ensure the success of the organization, maintaining the facilities and produce the pro rodeo as well as other events throughout the year.
“Our committee is made up of local people, local business owners and also local ranchers and farmers in our county,” Woody said. “A lot of those guys are just like me. They’re ex PRCA guys.”
The JCSP plans on hosting their third annual Ranch Rodeo this year.
“Our ranch rodeos a lot different from our PRCA rodeo,” Woody said. “We try and make it more of a family and community involved thing. All of our ranch rodeo teams are from ranches that surround our county.”
The annual Ranch Rodeo is set to begin August 27.
All photographs courtesy of Imagehounds™
