Semi-annual Ralph Morgan rodeo kicks off tonight in Lauderdale

By Staff
BIG RIDES – Smitty Smith of Troy, Ala., rode Carter for a score of 68 last August, during the first night of the Ralph Morgan Rodeo. Cowboys from all over the Southeast will be looking to hold on for eight seconds tonight and tomorrow during this summer's competition. File Photo
By Ida Brown / staff writer
August 27, 2004
If you've never attended a professional rodeo, you need to head out to Lauderdale tonight.
More than 122 athletes from eight states are expected to compete in the 58th semi-annual Ralph Morgan Rodeo at 7:30 p.m. tonight and Saturday at Ralph Morgan Arena. The rodeo will go on rain or shine.
Held every April and August, the rodeo has become a tradition in Lauderdale. In recent years, shows have drawn overflowing crowds.
Competitions will be held in several events, including bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, calf roping, steer wrestling, girls barrel racing and bull riding. Rounding out the events will be a calf scramble for children 8 and under.
Three prizes will be awarded to the first three children who present ribbons to the judge.
History
Ralph Morgan hosted his first rodeo in Butler, Ala., in 1955. The following year, he hosted the first of several rodeos in Lauderdale.
In 1976, Morgan and James Harper formed the Harper and Morgan Rodeo Co., which soon became a popular name in the Professional Cowboys Rodeo Association.
Today, the rodeo company is present at the Dixie National Rodeo in Jackson the largest rodeo east of the Mississippi River as well as the semi-annual rodeos in Lauderdale.
Each year, the Ralph Morgan Rodeo draws cowboys and cowgirls from all over the Southeast United States, as well as Tennessee, Alabama, Florida, Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Georgia and, of course, Mississippi.
In addition to competitions, the rodeo also is famous for its concessions.
Concessions include barbecue prepared daily, burgers, fish sandwiches, hot dogs, crawfish pie, nachos and cheese, pickles and other palate-pleasing favorites.
Beverages sodas, iced tea and coffee also are available. All proceeds go to the church and the Lauderdale 4-H Club, which also helps sell concessions.
And what rodeo would be complete without clowns? Rudy Burns of Gonzales, La., will present his brand of humor between competitions.