ARCHDALE, N.C.; The Davis Ranch Arena was still decked out in colorful PBR signs and sponsor banners during a recent junior rodeo. The dust from the Professional bull riding event had barely settled, when the September air was re-charged with enthusiastic youth competing for donated prize money and awards. The event, The �He Paid Your Fees� Christian Rodeo was held at Jerome and Tiffany Davis�s ranch in Archdale, NC. Entry fees for the contestants and tickets for the crowd were obtained only by attending a pre-rodeo church service. Cowboys and Church organizers gave testimony to the filled grandstands. Over 100 contestants competed in various rodeo events including mutton busting, barrel racing and team roping. The senior bull riding event was especially exciting. Jerome, who cut his teeth in the IPRA, is a former PRCA World Champion Bull rider. He raises top bucking bulls and provides expert instruction and guidance to many area riders. North Carolina is sure to produce several top bull riders in the near future. He is a positive role model and has had influence on many people in the rodeo world. The Senior Bull Riding Event was won by Dusty Marion. Dusty a national high school finals qualifier was presented a signed print donated by professional rodeo artist Caroline Obejero. Dusty could not have been prouder to receive the print and an approving grin from his hero Jerome Davis. Caroline a member of �CHAPS� the Cowboy Heritage Artists & Photographers Society was happy to give something back to the cowboys that provide inspiration for her paintings. Dusty might have won the Rodeo, but it was veteran mutton buster Jordan Watson who won the hearts of the crowd. The Excel Alabama native competed in the sheep riding contest and just missed the �buzzer� indicating a qualified ride. The six year old cowboy picked him self out of the mud and limped back across the arena. Proving size and age has nothing to do with heart.
Jordan who was scheduled to compete in Las Vegas in the mutton busting event during the Professional Bull Riding Finals in October will only be watching from the sidelines due to a broken collarbone.
Tom Smith
