It’s All About Rodeo LIBERTY, December 21, 2006 - The Bar –N- Bar Rodeo Company’s Winter Buckle Series is in full swing out at the Liberty fairgrounds every Saturday night with the performance at 7pm and the slack beginning at 3pm.

The weekly event consists of a full rodeo lineup including calf riding, barrel racing, tie down calf roping, chute dogging, mutton busting and the ever popular bull riding.

Each week cowboys and cowgirls from around the county and out of state compete for a chance at the cash jackpot paid for the high point ride or fastest time. The five month long rodeo allows the contestants to compete for a buckle given at the end of the series to the person winning the most money in each event.

Rodeo producer and stock contractor Mutt Neuman and his son Kody bring not only their top stock but often have PBR bucking bulls in the draw each week up against cowboys looking for an eight second, high scoring money making ride to the buzzer. Mutt Neuman who has been producing rodeos and contracting out his stock since the early 70’s including the early 80’s when he was contractor for Gilley’s in Pasadena, Texas also owns a ranch in Dayton where the yearly Summer Buckle Series is held as well as hosts a number of other rodeos, bull riding benefits and weekly practices on Thursday and Sunday afternoon.

The rodeo draws contestants of all skill levels; beginner, advanced and professional.

Willis Trosclair, two time PBR World Finals qualifier bull rider was out last week. The multiple NFR qualifier Ricky Canton, formerly of Cleveland, and the current tie down record holder with a 6.3 run in the second round of the Strathmore (Alberta) Stampede in 2005 is a regular weekly entrant. Miles Hare of Liberty, who in 1977 at the age of 22 was the youngest bullfighter voted to the NFR has since become a 29 year HLSR bullfighting veteran who can be seen weekly using his expertise judging the rodeo events. The mutton busting is an extremely popular event for boys and girls under five who often dream of being a rodeo champion or at the very least a cowboy or cowgirl for the night. Parents, grandparents, siblings and friends cheer each rider on as they climb in the chute, hold on to the back of a sheep and ride across a line hoping for the high score. The look seen on each of their faces after the ride makes them all winners.

The stands are packed with dedicated fans that are there weekly in the cold, wet or lately often humid weather conditions. The rodeo fan is what keeps the cowboys and cowgirls encouraged to tip their hat and come back each week after a buck off or broken barrier. Many of these same contestants started out as spectators and many of the spectators will one day be contestants. The series runs weekly through March 10th with the exception of next Saturday, December 30th. Come out and join them New Year’s Day at 3:00pm for an exciting Open Bull Riding featuring an autograph signing session by 2005 PRCA Bull Riding Champion Matt Austin from 12pm-2pm.

If you would like additional information on entering a rodeo, the New Year’s Bull Riding or sponsorship, please call 936-258-2150 or 936-336-7498.

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