BLYTHEWOOD, S.C. — The Blythewood Rodeo wrapped up on Saturday with hundreds of people from across the country competing in several events.
What do buckles, boots, and hats make?
“Fourteenth annual Blythewood Championship Rodeo,” Buck Coggins, the producer of the two-day rodeo, said.
“Competitor from the country come here competing to go to their world finals in Oklahoma City,” he said. “So, every dollar is worth a point for that. They come to compete here.”
Coggins said about 200 competitors participated in eight events between Friday and Saturday. He expected close to 3,000 people to come out.
Two attendees, E’mya and Journey, said a recently released album inspired them.
“I just listened to the album Cowboy Carter,” Journey said. “So, I really feel like, you know, I don’t know, I’m really feeling country today.”
While celebrities inspired some to try something new, for others, like Miss Rodeo USA Kaelanne Quinonez, this is a way of life.
“Rodeos hold a special place in my heart,” Quinonez said. “I didn’t grow up in an agricultural family, and so I claim that I’m a first-generation cowgirl. But there’s just something so special about the sport it’s so family-oriented.”
While many come to enjoy the food, cheers, and family, there’s more than just animals. There are clothing vendors and even a rodeo clown who keeps the crowd going and says rodeo is like family.
“We go from town to town, city to city - all over the country,” Jake Gray said. “But, yet, you still somehow, everywhere you go in rodeo, you find somebody that you know.”
The event happens twice a year. The next rodeo is in October.