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Rodeo raises school funds

Competition draws crowd to fairgrounds

Tim Palmer of Russelville, Ark., was among the cowboys taking part in the annual Central Pennsylvania Rodeo on Friday at the Huntingdon County Fairgrounds. Mirror photo by Gary M. Baranec

HUNTINGDON — Outside the arena where patrons showed up early Saturday night to get the best seats at the Huntingdon County Fairground, Taylor Harker of Tyrone was tending to her eight-year-old Palamino quarterhorse, Maggie.

“I’ve been barrel racing since I was 10 years old,” the 24-year-old Harker said before wrapping leg warmers around Maggie’s lower legs, just above the horse’s pink hoof boots that provided a mix of fashion and protection.

Within a half hour, Harker and Maggie were part of the rodeo’s grand entry parade and later, they would race around barrels in a contest at the 14th annual Central Pennsylvania Rodeo.

With a lot of competition in this year’s rodeo to benefit St. Matthew School of Tyrone, Harker said she didn’t expect to go home a winner.

“I do this local rodeo to support the kids,” Harker said. “But I would be happy with a good clean ride and a real fast time. I love that we race against the clock.”

About 4,000 people are expected to attend the rodeo, which opened Friday night and concludes with a show at 4 p.m. today.

“I think it’s the food and family-friendly entertainment that brings people out,” said Lyndsay Marshall of Warriors Mark.

Marshall chaired the committee that identifies sponsors and organizes concession stands which generate money for the Catholic school. She also helps keep things moving smoothly during the shows.

“I like seeing everybody enjoy such a great event,” Marshall said. “And I love seeing the smiles on their faces.”

Joann Thompson of State College said she has attended many rodeos and on Saturday night, brought her daughter and son-in-law to their first.

“They were staying over and I said ‘let’s go,'” Thompson said.

When asked what she liked best about the rodeo, Thompson drew a breath and answered: “Being outside, amongst the mountains, watching the riders … I love it.”

Kayla Gibboney of State College was attending her first rodeo with a friend, Alysa Grove of Huntingdon, who was at her third.

“This rodeo is a place where you can see a lot of action,” Grove said. “The cowboys on the horses, the girls doing tricks on the mares and the fancy riding …. You don’t get to see that every day.”

Duane and Missy Burget of Altoona said they’ve been attending the Huntingdon rodeo for about 10 years.

It brings back memories for Duane and his sister, Linda Allison of Williamsburg, who were kids when their parents took a vacation to Cheyenne, Wyo., probably in the early 1970s, where Loretta Lynn, Roy Clark and Buck Owens entertained.

Saturday’s entertainment included Dusti Crain-Dickerson of St. Peter, Ill. She specializes in Roman riding — standing atop a pair of horses with one foot on each horse — which she did for 12 years with the Dolly Parton Stampede.

Competitions organized by the Rawhide Rodeo Company included bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping, women’s barrel racing and bull riding. The event, sanctioned by the American Professional Rodeo Association and the International Professional Rodeo Association, offered the riders from New York, Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky and Pennsylvania a chance to win prize money and improve their standings within the rodeo association.

“I like to watch them ride the bulls,” said Christopher Orr of Altoona, who was at the event with his wife, Susan, and their nine-year-old daughter who likes to watch the riders do tricks.

Susan Orr said the barrel racing is probably her favorite part of a show that remains a draw for her and her family.

“Isn’t it every girl’s dream to be a cowgirl?” she asked.

Mirror Staff Writer Kay Stephens is at 946-7456.

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