Tennessee High School Rodeo Had Season Opener At Delta Fair September 11 and 12 By Debbie Joines The first competition of the 2009-2010 Tennessee High School Rodeo season was held at the Shelby Showplace during Delta Fair September 11 and 12. With entries over 200 for each performance, 9th through 12th grade students traveled from Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi and Missouri for the two-day event. Competitors had their hands full, as a many award winning contestants returned from the previous season to begin the countdown to the State Finals in June. Top point earners win awards and qualify to compete at the NHSFR, which will be held in Gillette, WY in July 2010. Bull riding was Saturday evening’s last event and the bulls were some of the toughest around. They were so tough that none of the teenage cowboys was able to stay on the required 8 seconds. The announcer kept score with each ride. “Final score: bulls 10, cowboys 0,” he said. Top Points Leaders from the event are: Bareback: Eric Liemer, Cumberland Furnace, TN; Austin Oberman, Whitewater, MO. Barrel Racing: Tawnie Foster, Vanleer, TN; Lucinda Fletcher, Knoxville, TN; Kindyl Scruggs, Southaven, MS; Nealey Dalton, Adamsville, TN. Pole Bending: Sara Beth Thompson, Collierville, TN; Kindyl Scruggs, Southaven, MS; Lucinda Fletcher , Knoxville, TN; Anna Clayman, Naylor, MO. Breakaway Roping: Kelsey Kennemer, Anderson, AL ; Perri Fewell , Friendship, TN; Leah Holt, Byhalia, MS; Lucinda Fletcher, Knoxville, TN. Calf Roping: Ben Walker, Cookeville, TN; Clay Brewer, Rutherford, TN ; Gunnar Vussell, Cookeville, TN; Clay Mitchell, Bolivar, TN. Bulls: No qualified rides; fifteen competitors. Team Roping: Garret McLaughlin, Killen, AL; Clay Brewer, Rutherford, TN; Cody Inman, Athens, AL; Cody Woodard, Lynchburg, TN; Cole Joines, Mt. Juliet, TN; Kelsey Kennemer, Anderson AL; John Alley, Adams, TN; Stetson Powers, Decaturville, TN. Steer Wrestling: J.W. Ery, Springfield, TN; Robert Joyce, Dyer, TN. Goat Tying: Sara Beth Thompson, Collierville, TN; Kelsey Kennemer, Anderson, AL; Natalie Fletcher, Knoxville, TN; Madeline Kennedy, Cordova, TN. Tennessee High School Rodeo is offering a Free Roping Clinic with Chad Masters the second weekend of October in McEwen, TN. Ropers ages 13 - 18 are welcome to participate. There will also be girls’ breakaway and goat tying clinic. For more information, contact Randee Masters at 931-358-3288 or 615-202-0431. For more information on Tennessee High School Rodeo, please visit http://www.tnhsra.com/.