Rodeo: SandHills Rodeo is just around the corner

Even as the 2008 rodeo season winds down with the final three performances of the 50th Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas this weekend, the 2009 season already is on the mind of many of the competitors and officials.

A season that is just 21 days away.

Officials and sponsors of the 76th SandHills Stock Show and Rodeo gathered Thursday for their annual kickoff luncheon as they begin counting the days until the first bareback competitor breaks from the chutes Jan. 2 at Ector County Coliseum.

The six-performance event will run through Jan. 10 and will feature many of the newly crowned world champions competing both in timed events and rough stock competition.

Also, during the bull riding competition, the Professional Bull Fighters tour will be holding its world championship, with five teams vying for the crown to be awarded after the final performance on Jan. 10.

"It's going to be another exciting event," said Jim McLain, the event's public relations director. "You have all the world champions who want to get another good start to their season here, along with the other top cowboys who want to make sure they get to Vegas at the end of the year.

"Plus, you have the stock show, some quarter horse events and we are going to have concerts this year on the final Friday and Saturday, so there is something for everyone to enjoy."

As in recent years, the SandHills Stock Show and Rodeo is the first official rodeo of the season on the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association circuit, the start of an 11-month journey toward making the Finals next December.

This event also has an annual tradition of roping competitions - Super Tuesday - that allow amateur team ropers to partner with the professionals for a chance at some day money. Super Tuesday also features three match-roping competitions in team roping, tie-down roping and junior tie-down roping.

This year, six-time all-around champion Trevor Brazile and his partner, Midland's Patrick Smith, will face Andrews' JoJo Lemond and Stephenville's Martin Lucero in the team roping match.

In the Shawn McMullan Memorial Calf Roping battle, it will be Stran Smith, McMullan's traveling partner, against Josh Peek, the current leader in the world standings as the Finals wind down.

Finally, the junior match will feature Klay Kirkes and Ross Williams, with the winner earning a scholarship offer from Odessa College rodeo coach Jim Watkins. 

>> The Basics

>> What: 76th SandHills Stock Show and Rodeo

>> When: Jan. 2-3, 7-10

>> Where: Ector County Coliseum

>> Times: Rodeo performances start at 7:30 each night; For Super Tuesday roping event Jan. 6, preliminaries at noon and finals at 6:30 p.m.

>> Tickets: Jan. 2-3, 7-9 ($15 box seats, $13 reserved, $11 general admission); Jan. 10 ($21 box seats, $19 reserved, $17 general admission). Jan. 10 tickets include concert by Richochet after the rodeo performance. Tickets are on sale at the Ector County Coliseum box office or Cavenders in Midland.