The bulls and broncs have all gone home to pasture, relaxing after their 8–16 seconds of work.
    Hedrick Rodeo Company is preparing the arena, their stock animals and riding horses for their next venue.
    Miss Rodeo USA Kirbi Allen headed home for rest before her next gig.
    It has been a pleasure having them all in Statesboro.
    The consensus from rodeo participants, judges and spectators was that the Statesboro Kiwanis Rodeo was a “great rodeo.” Skilled riders, super athletic stock and enthusiastic rodeo fans made it a hit for all involved — and, thankfully, it didn’t rain!
    The cowboys and cowgirls came from 11 states and Australia.
    Cowboys from southeast Georgia did very well: 
    Justin Thigpen of Waycross, a world champion in 2014, won steer wrestling, tie-down roping and team roping (teamed with Riley Williams of Fort Worth, Texas).
    Joseph Milton of Screven won the bull riding on the last ride Saturday night, beating out Georgia Southern student AJ Blaze (second) and Michael Riggs (fourth) of Claxton, who has won several world championships.
    AJ Blaze also tied for second in the saddle bronc competition.
    Other winners included Carrie Putnam of Charlotte, North Carolina, in cowgirl barrel racing; James Hughes of Lawley, Alabama in bareback bronc; and Eddie Parlier of Loxley, Alabama in the saddle bronc competition.
    The steer dressing event had two winning teams, one each night of the rodeo. The winning teams, both receiving $100 plus a $50 gift certificate from Agri Supply, were:
    Friday night: D & R Intensive Car Care — Keith Roberts of Statesboro, Ashleigh Morton of Sylvania and Taylor Driggers of Sylvania
    Saturday night: Lewis Fraser Restoration — Lewis Fraser of Statesboro, Bethany Hoage of Hinesville and Gabriel Kleschick of Statesboro.
    In the steer dressing event, a team of three — two men and one woman — must catch a young steer, dress it in short pants, two socks and a tie. Catching it is the difficult part.
    The event is hilarious for the spectators to watch, and all the teams said, with laughs and smiles, that they wanted to come back and do it again.
    The kids' calf scramble produced two winners in each age bracket (7–9, 10–12 years old) each night. Winners were:
    Friday: Nicholas Nobles (ages 7–9) and Demas Gian (ages 10–12).
    Saturday: Logan Napier and Matthew Jackson (ages 7–9) and Railey Maxie (ages 10–12).
    For the calf scramble, a calf with a ribbon on its tail is turned loose in the arena. The first kid to grab the ribbon and show it in his or her hand wins the event.
    Overall, with IPRA-ranked contestants and past champions in every event, there was no lack of competition. The Hedrick Rodeo bulls and broncs also performed at a championship level for a great weekend at the rodeo.