BY SARAH STEPHENS
ELMORE/AUTAUGA NEWS
Top Photo: From left Autauga County Sheriff Mark Harrell and Jerry Byrd and Renate Ray with the 3R Rodeo Company.
Tuesday night Autauga County Sheriff Mark Harrell addressed the County Commission to talk about plans for an inaugural Sheriff’s Department Rodeo that is planned for Feb. 13-17 of 2024. The event will take place at the RH Kirkpatrick Arena in Autaugaville.
For many years, the Autauga Sheriff’s Department held a Reserve Deputy Rodeo, which helped with training and equipment expenses for the reserves. When former Sheriff Herbie Johnson retired, the rodeo was discontinued in 2015.
As part of this new department rodeo, and to draw more interest and donations, Sheriff Harrell has agreed to try his hand at bull riding. It would be a first for him, and he admits there may be a bit of trepidation on his part.
“My folks are already saying that they will also plan a golf tournament to help pay for my medical expenses if needed,” Sheriff Harrell said with a laugh. “But to be clear, I didn’t say I would ride a bull for the full eight-seconds. I cannot promise that.”
Harrell said the idea of a Sheriff’s Rodeo came to him as he was looking at the budget for his department. It is no secret that a lot of funds came through the purchase of pistol permits. With new legislation, and permits not required, that has taken a toll on funds used for equipment and training for the deputies.
When Harrell attended a technology conference in Huntsville recently, he visited a booth with the 3R Rodeo company out of Jemison, Alabama.
“I talked to them about the possibility, and with them being located in Jemison, they are not far away to plan and organize the event,” Harrell said. Even with a year to plan, Harrell said it will take a tremendous amount of work and support from the community.
While Harrell has not participated in rodeo before, he is a rodeo enthusiast.
“I grew up in a small town, and a lot of the people we knew were really big into rodeos,” he said. “I really enjoy them, and I think it would be something the community here would get behind and support.”
Harrell said the Sheriff’s Rodeo would be the first of the year in our area for 2023 in the circuit. It will be one month before the SLE Rodeo in Montgomery.
The Autauga County Commission voted to wave the rental fee for the arena, and Harrell said they have been “100 percent supportive of the department. I really appreciate them.”
Harrell introduced Jerry Byrd, who is the Head Rodeo Announcer for the 3R Rodeo organization.
“Thank you for allowing us to bring championship rodeo back to Autaugaville,” Byrd said.
Byrd said the events around the rodeo will include many educational opportunities and involve area school children, demonstrations and field trips during the week.
Events at the actual rodeo will include saddle bronc, bareback, and standard offerings.
“But the greatest thing we are going to do is have Sheriff Harrell on a bucking bull,” Byrd said, raising a laugh from the commissioners and audience.
Area residents and businesses will have the opportunity to pledge money. If at least $10,000 is raised Sheriff Harrell is not backing down from his promise, Byrd said.
The Commission members smiled and offers of financial support began in earnest.
“3R Rodeo company has been around for more than 30 years doing rodeos around the southeast with championship bucking stock. We are going to bring some of the best rodeo athletes to Autauga County for that week.”
Stay tuned for more information about how you can become a sponsor of the rodeo or make a pledge toward Sheriff Harrell’s thrilling ride. You can also follow the Autauga County Sheriff Facebook page for updates.
While Byrd was before the Commission, he also promoted a benefit rodeo event coming in July of this year. It will also be held in Autaugaville.
Brooke Hollis was a senior at Maplesville High School preparing for college and the future.
On Nov. 6, 2021 she was thrown from her horse and she suffered a traumatic brain injury. Since her injury, her community as well as organizations across the country have held benefits to raise funds for her continued care.
Brooke was diagnosed with an Anoxic brain injury and remains in a “Minimal Conscious State.” She is in therapy and you can follow her progress at the Facebook page Prayers for Brooke. The family is from Maplesville, but her father works in Autauga County.
July 14-15 the “Riding for Brooke Benefit PCA Rodeo” will be held at RH Kirkpatrick Agricultural Pavilion in Autaugaville. Tickets are $15, with ages five and under admitted free.
There will be vendors, food, family fun and Mutton Bustin’ events.
Also included is bareback riding, break-away roping, steer wrestling, saddle bronc riding, team roping, calf roping, barrel racing and bull riding.
