Are you ready to rodeo? Agri-Ed Center hosts first pro event

Photo: DeSoto County Agri-Education Center Director Michael Lee inside the 2,000-seat indoor arena that will welcome fans to this weekend’s Patriot Pro Rodeo. (Bob Bakken/desotocountynews.com)

NESBIT, Miss. – After a month-long postponement due to bio-security concerns, the chutes are finally opening at the DeSoto County Agri-Education Center. The Patriot Pro Rodeo is set to take over the new facility on Dec. 12-13, marking the first major rodeo held inside the center’s 2,000-seat indoor arena.

The event, originally scheduled for November, was paused following reports of a neurological strain of Equine Herpesvirus (EHV) that originated at a show in Waco, Texas. While no cases were reported in Mississippi, Center Director Michael Lee and the facility’s committee—including Supervisors Lee Caldwell and Robert Foster—made the difficult call to wait.

“We made a decision right here in this room, and we made it because it was the best and the right thing to do,” Lee said regarding the delay. “It starts affecting their standing… it’s a deadly form. We decided that’s not what the people are paying for. They are paying for a full-fledged rodeo, and that’s what we’re going to give them.”

Lee confirmed that strict biosecurity measures are in place for the rescheduled dates. All participating horses are required to have clean Coggins tests and vaccinations. Additionally, the facility has restricted open rides recently to ensure the grounds remain sterile for the incoming stock.

A New Home for Rodeo
This weekend serves as a major showcase for the county’s new $19 million facility. While the center has hosted livestock shows and 4-H events since opening earlier this year, this is the first professional rodeo to utilize the main indoor floor.

“I think it’s going to be a wow moment,” Lee said. “When they walk into the main arena, especially since it’s been set up, they were like, ‘Wow, I didn’t know this was back here.’”

Lee noted that preparing the arena involves more than just dumping sand. The facility utilizes a specific mixture of riverbed sand, clay, and dirt designed to provide safe footing for livestock.

“You don’t want a horse to get in there if it’s too hard… or if it’s too loose, your horse slips and falls down,” Lee explained. “That dirt is that dirt. You have to do tests.”

National Exposure
The event is produced by Patriot Pro Rodeo, owned by Josh Dennison. The rodeo is sanctioned by the International Professional Rodeo Association (IPRA) and the Southern Professional Rodeo Association (SPRA).

The event will also bring national eyes to Nesbit. Production crews from The Cowboy Channel are scheduled to arrive Thursday to set up big screens and film the event for broadcast.

“This is good exposure for DeSoto County and for this facility,” Lee said. “The Cowboy Channel had an opening for The Western Channel to come in also… it will probably be re-aired at a later date.”

Local rodeo star and World Champion Kendall Scruggs is expected to compete, alongside contestants from across the region who are looking to pick up points before the season ends.

Ticket Information
Tickets are $20 for adults (ages 16 and up). Tickets will be sold at the door. The event promises a family-friendly atmosphere featuring bull riding, bronc riding, and barrel racing.