Crossroads Arena rounds up a rodeo

CLOVERDALE -- This Friday and Saturday the Crossroads Arena in Cloverdale is hosting Lone Star Championship Rodeo.

The event will be at 8 p.m. both nights.

"This is our first rodeo here," said Steve Jackson, the owner of Crossroads. "We're hoping for a pretty big crowd."

The rodeo will include bull riding, bareback and saddled bronco riding, calf roping, cowgirl breakaway roping and cowgirl barrel racing. Vanessa Madison with Lone Star said there are going to be between 150 to 175 contestants for the rodeo.

Madison said she's taking part in the cowgirl breakaway roping competition. She also said her son is a part of the show.

"My son, Cutter Madison, has a trick horse," Vanessa Madison said. "He can make him lay down, make him wave hello, make him march and stand on a pedestal."

Mike Wentworth, a 15-year rodeo clown, will also be at the rodeo working at the events.

"The different types of the country are what make this job unique," Wentworth said. "Traveling and going all over the United States and seeing different parts of the country that a lot of people don't get to witness."

Wentworth said he has seen a difference in crowd reaction in different parts of the country.

"I found that when you're entertaining people east of the Mississippi they're a better crowd," he said. "I guess they want more of the entertainment."

Wentworth said areas further west are more interested in the technical aspect.

Wentworth said he is present for the entire rodeo, filling time between acts as is needed. His most well known role happens during the bull riding.

"I have a clown barrel while I'm out there. It serves as protection for myself and the rider that is out there as well," Wentworth said. "During that time my main focus is still entertainment."

Wentworth said despite his experience being near bulls, it can still sometimes be daunting.

"If one gets close I still get pretty nervous."

Tickets for the rodeo are $12 at the door or $10 in advance with reduced rates for children. Advance tickets can be purchased at Crossroads Arena, located at 253 W. Stardust Road in Cloverdale.