The Marion County Cattlemen’s Association took home an award recently for its annual rodeo as it is busy planning for next year’s edition of the Marion County tradition.
According to Marty Raybourn, president of the association, the 75 members are looking forward to this year’s event, which will take place March 16 and 17.
“It’s the 63rd time for the event to be held,” he said. “The Cattlemen’s Association adopted it back in the mid-1950s. Last year, we swapped stock contractors. We’re always trying to improve the event. We went with the Tri-State Rodeo, and they called us and said that the Tri-State Association voted that ours was the ‘best new rodeo of the year.’ But, of course, the Cattlemen’s Association has been doing this for a long time.”
Work had already begun to plan the 2018 edition of the Marion County Cattlemen’s Association Rodeo, according to Raybourn.
“We are going to stay with the same stock contractor that we had last year,” he said. “We’ve got our dates set for March 16 and 17. I really want to thank the people for supporting us. We also really want to thank our sponsors because it wouldn’t be possible without our sponsors. We don’t only do it because we love the sport. We do it to keep the kids in the county involved by giving scholarships and we give to the 4-H programs, and we sponsor their trips to ag days at Mississippi State.”
This year’s edition of the rodeo will feature some new events, according to Raybourn.
“We had trick riders last year, and this year, we’re bringing back a different set of trick riders and Roman riding (riders stand),” he said. “The ones we are bringing in this year are the main attraction at the Dixie Stampede. There are some special acts planned. We’ll also have some miniature bucking ponies, something the kids will love. We are always trying to look to better the rodeo.”
Raybourn said the Marion County Cattlemen’s Association is been around for many years.
“We do several things for our members,” he said. “We do a steak supper once a year. Once you join the Cattlemen’s Association, you do get some benefits, like accidental death benefits and things like that. We started an open livestock show about three years ago, and there again, we want to promote agriculture to our kids.”
Plans are always being made for events and scholarships.
“We have 12 board members that represent the county and we usually meet once a month,” Raybourn said. “At the very least, we meet once per quarter. Right now, we’re busy meeting for the rodeo. We’re strictly a non-profit organization and we serve on a volunteer
basis.”
Pictured Above: The Marion County Cattlemen’s Association is slated for March 16 and 17 and recently won an award. | Photo by Mark Rogers
