Rodeo Under Way

SPRINGDALE — The Rodeo of the Ozarks has been very kind to Justin Thigpen in past years.

On Wednesday, he made sure to continue his successful ways at Parsons Stadium.

Thigpen, a 29-year-old from Waycross, Ga., got the ball rolling at the 69th Annual Rodeo of the Ozarks, posting the best score in one event, while placing third in another. A two-time defending champion in tie-down roping, Thigpen closed the night with an 8.7 second time in his calf roping competion.

But it was his performance in his first event, steer wrestling, that drew the biggest cheers from the crowd. Posting a time of 4.2 seconds, Thigpen had just one close competitor, Will Lummus with a 4.9 second time.

“It’s all about the draw,” Thigpen said. “I got a good draw that gave me a really good chance of upping my average.

Thigpen had already posted a top time in Wednesday’s steer wrestling during the first leg of the competition. When the audience showed up for Thigpen’s second go-round, he was able to build on the momentum.

“Regardless of if the crowd is here or not, we still get paid and still have to perform,” he said. “But it’s always nice when the crowd is here cheering for you.”

Thigpen is no stranger to the Rodeo of the Ozarks and has become used to finishing on top at Parsons Stadium. Last year, he was the all-around champion at the Rodeo of the Ozarks and will look for another all-around title after his strong effort on Wednesday.

“I’ve been here four or five years and I’ve done pretty well here, been all-around champion the last couple of years,” Thigpen said. “So I really like Springdale.”

While Thigpen won over the crowd with his performances in steer wrestling and tie down roping, Jacobs Crawley also put on a good show in the saddle bronc riding event. Crawley, of Stephenville, Texas, scored an 85 in his saddle bronc ride to easily defeat the competition.

“You just have to remember what you do each time and kind of stick to the basics,” Crawley said. “You’ve got the crowd out here and adrenaline kicks in, so you just have to focus on the job.”

In other opening night events at the Rodeo of the Ozarks, Tanner Gibbs scored an 80 in the bareback riding to just beat Arkansas native Bo Keylan, who posted a 76.

Adam Wallace and Justin Pruitt, both of Greenbrier, also delivered a win in front of their home state fans with a time of 4.8 seconds in team roping. And while Thigpen performaed well in tie down roping with his 8.7 second effort, it was Catfish Brown of Collinsville, Texas who came out on top in the event with a run of 8.2 seconds.