FORT WORTH COWBOYS OF COLOR RODEO

The Cowboys of Color Invitational Rodeo presented by T39 Telemundo took center stage in Dickies Arena on Monday at the 127^th edition of the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo (FWSSR).

The multi-cultural event features African American, Hispanic and Native American athletes competing in traditional rodeo events from bronc riding to roping to bull riding highlights the stock show annually on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

The event begins with traditional rodeo pageantry and patriotic music along with “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” often referred to as the black national anthem.

Special featured performances included virtuoso violinist Armando Vance from Fort Worth, the Escaramuza – a group of eight women riding sidesaddle in beautiful traditional dresses  – with synchronized maneuvers in the Mexican rodeo tradition, and the Circle L5 Riding Club – Fort Worth’s all-black riding club formed more than 70 years ago -with their precision horseback drill team.

Bull rider Avontis Williams of Kaufman, Texas, was the biggest money winner of the day. As the only cowboy to make a successful bull ride, he took home $5,000. Williams came up through the ranks of youth rodeo and aged out of that competition a couple of years ago.

Terrence Miller of Dallas won the steer wrestling and $2,000 with a time of 4.7 seconds, edging Chase Crane of Boynton, Oklahoma, who clocked a time of 4.9 seconds. Crane competed at the International Finals Rodeo this past weekend, winning more than $10,000 including nearly $7,500 for having the fastest total time and finishing as reserve world champion in the International Pro Rodeo Association. Crane finished second at last year’s Cowboys of Color Invitational Rodeo.

James Collins Jr. of Cleveland, Texas, was the only tie-down roper to stop the clock in less than 10 seconds. He won the event with a time of 8.9 seconds. Koby Douch, 2022 Cowboys of Color tie-down roping champion from Huntsville, Texas, was second with a time of 10.7.

In the junior bull riding for youngsters 15 and under, Terrell’s R. J. Jackson was the first cowboy out of the chutes and the only one to hear the buzzer from the back of his bull. He scored 72 points and won $500 plus a trophy  belt buckle.

First place cash in the barrel racing went to Brittany Jones of Lipan, Texas, and her 17-year-old bay named Cash Dealins. Jones said her horse was feeling a bit feisty in the wintry weather, but the offspring of Cash Not Credit from the famous Jud Little Ranch channeled that extra energy for the win.

None of the eight competitors in the ranch bronc riding event managed to stay aboard for a score, including Trevor McCaslin of Glenpool, Oklahoma, who won the event at Dickies Arena in 2022 and 2023.

The Cowboys of Color Rodeo, founded by Cleo Hearn, brings cowboys and cowgirls of all races and cultures together for events which help fund scholarships to aid young competitors in attending college.

The 127^th edition of the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo continues through February 3 at the Will Rogers complex. Tuesday is Dickies Day at the Stock Show. Those wearing Dickies apparel receive free grounds admission. The first night of the audience favorite Bulls’ Night Out – PRCA Xtreme Bull Riding begins at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in Dickies Arena.

The following are results from the Cowboys of Color Invitational Rodeo at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo, Monday, January 15, 2024.

Ranch Bronc Riding: (no qualified rides)

Steer Wrestling: 1, Terrence Miller, Dallas, Texas, 4.7 seconds, $2,000. 2, Chase Crane, Clearview, Okla., 4.9, $1,500. 3, Pat Hooper, Athens, Texas, 5.5, $1,000. 4, Chase Pierre, Brookshire, Texas, 5.7, $500.

Tie-Down Roping: 1, James Collins Jr., Cleveland, Texas, 8.9 seconds, $2,000. 2, Koby Douch, Huntsville, Texas, 10.7, $1,500. 3, DeWeldon Watson, Huntsville, Texas, 12.9, $1,000. 4, Rodney Jackson, Angleton, Texas, 14.7, $500.

Bull Riding: (one qualified ride) 1, Avontis Williams, Kaufman, Texas, 75 points, $5,000.

Junior Bull Riding: (one qualified ride) 1, R.J. Jackson, Terrell, Texas, 72 points. $500