The Rodeo Stars Came Out In Memphis December 30, 2009 By Michael Anderson, with a contribution from Sue Lynn Perry On December 30, 2009 about 4,000 people turned out to watch the 22nd annual AutoZone Liberty Bowl Pro Rodeo at the Agricenter Show Place Arena. There were 242 contestants in the various events that included bareback riding, saddle bronc, bull riding, steer wrestling, tie down, barrels, and team roping. Members of the seven high school bands in town for the Liberty Bowl game performance were well represented in the audience, according to Sue Lynn Perry, Liberty Bowl Rodeo Committee Chairperson. There were some Arkansas players on hand, too. One of them was Grant Freeman, an offensive lineman from Paris, Arkansas. He said he is a big rodeo fan, and was very excited about playing in the bowl game. This was the first big rodeo of the 2010 rodeo season and the rodeo stars were out! Fans could watch International Professional Rodeo Association (IPRA) all-round champion Erik Wolford in the bareback riding. Erik won the bareback riding with a score of 79 points. Erik has been featured on the independent television series, “Toughest Cowboy,” where cowboys are required to ride in three rough stock events. Josh Cragar with 74 points won second, while Whit Ash finished third in the bareback riding with a score of 67 pts. Whit was also on the television series “Toughest Cowboy” and was a southeastern circuit finalist in 2009. Rylie Hoffman won the saddle bronc riding with a score of 80 points. Erik Wolford took second in the saddle bronc riding with a score of 78 points. In steer wrestling, one of the biggest names in the IPRA, Tooter Silver, was at the Liberty Bowl Rodeo. He is a nine-time International Finals Rodeo (IFR) finalist and has finished second in the World four times. He said, “I would like to change that and win a World title this year.” He is currently second in the World. In the cowgirls’ barrel racing, the number nine ranked cowgirl in the World Heather Moore was on hand to show them how it’s done. She is from New Johnsonville, Tennessee and attends college at UT Martin. She made the college world series last year and is leading the region this year. She said, “I’m very excited about the IFR coming up in a few weeks.” When I asked what it would be like to win the AutoZone Liberty Bowl Rodeo, she told me, “It would be a big confidence builder for the finals.” Heather came in third place, only .095 seconds away from first. The bull riding brought out some big stars. Reece Cates, a Professional Bull Riders (PBR) finalist, told me, “This rodeo is great timing for me. It’s before the first Built Ford Tough Tour stop in the PBR and it’s close to home. This event is fun; with a great crowd it makes it easy to come. As long as the timing works out I’ll be coming every year.” There was also Cody Holladay, an IFR finalist, who is currently ninth in the world and Justin Koon a Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) southeastern circuit finalist. Neil Bourne, an IFR finalist, who is currently 11th in the World rounded out the star-studded slate. Several high school kids trying to make their way into pro rodeo participated in the Liberty Bowl Rodeo. One of those kids was Gray Essary, a 16-year-old who rides in Tennessee High School Rodeo. He was just coming back from an ankle injury, so hadn’t been on a bull since September. Now he’s back, and feeling good. He covered his bull to score 79, which earned him 5th place. Justin Koon won the event, with Michael Ross and Brent Menz splitting 2nd and 3rd. The stars of rodeo didn’t stop with the competitors. IPRA 2009 Clown of the Year Dusty Myers of Corinth, Mississippi delighted the crowd with his “punny” jokes and silly antics. He was as funny as ever! When asked who he admired growing up he said, “I looked up to Lecile Harris and Rudy Burns. I always wanted to be like Lecile.” J Mark Wilson of Circle Cross Church helped with the serious bull fighting. The rodeo provided world class stock from Johnson Rodeo Company. Mark Johnson, who just got back from the Wrangler National Finals in Las Vegas, Nevada will be headed to the IFR in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma next.