Dunklin County 4H Club members say their rodeo, held May 10 at the Vikings Music Park was a valuable experience.

Each member and his/her family shared responsibilities for staffing the event, including timing, opening gates, cathing horses, wrangling steers, etc.

Will Mobley, the club advisor, said "This is our club's third year and our first year to host a rodeo. The kids all did their part. Their families worked exceptionally hard on rodeo day.

"Our club is still small, so we sure needed the help we got from the 4H professional staff, parents from other clubs, and the backing from the Dunklin County University Extension Council."

The weather cooperated during the daytime slack performance, and Jaspers and Vikings Music Park cooked barbeque and provided concessions.

According to Mobley, approximately 250 4H members from 10 Southeast Missouri counties participated.

Mobley said that storms threatened to rain out the evening performance, but the show went on despite intermittent rain, high winds, and mud.

Mallory Blanchard sang the National Anthem. The local 4H Club members presented their first drill team performance.

"A couple of the kids' horses were spooked by the noise the wind made over the loud speakers and it didn't go as rehearsed," Mobley said. "The drill team practice was great for improving horsemanship and the kids are looking forward to another chance to perform."

Dunklin County's Rachel Lesslie won the Sr. Barrel Race, Tripp Scales placed in the top five in calf-riding, and James Michael Goodwin made his best ride of the season in Sr. Bull Riding, placing fourth.

"All the kids had a good experience," Mobley concluded.