"The Grand Daddy of ‘Em All:" The southeastern rodeo circuit

ARCADIA, Fla. – This year, on March 6-9, athletes ranging from full-time ranchers, cowboys, and cowgirls to nurses, doctors, or other typical “white collar” workers who compete in rodeo at a highly competitive level shared the arena for a chance at glory. The Arcadia All-Florida Championship Rodeo, founded in 1928, is one of the oldest rodeos in the Southeast. 

Photo Credit: Eden Yacovetti

Out of the 12 regional circuits in the United States, the Southeastern Rodeo Circuit includes every southeastern part, including Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Arkansas.

According to Andy Kisela, an Arcadia local, the rodeo “is one of the greatest sports that still holds traditional values.”

The Arcadia Rodeo has provided culture, entertainment, and community to the Southern Rodeo circuit for over 97 years. Fondly known as “The Grand Daddy of ‘Em All,” Arcadia shows no signs of slowing down and promises to keep the rodeo lifestyle alive for many generations to come. 

Arcadia has hosted the Southeastern Rodeo Circuit finals since 2009, where competitors worldwide flood the Mosaic Arena for a chance at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas. The events included mutton bustin', tie-down roping, team roping, steer wrestling, saddle bronc riding, bareback bronc riding, barrel racing, and bull riding. Each event requires a high concentration level from the horse or bull and their rider. 

Rodeo clowns date back to the 1900s when competitive rodeos began. Promoters regularly hired cowboys to entertain the crowd, which is how the title of Rodeo clown was born. Today, being a Rodeo clown or a presenter between events is an art. Rodeo clowns distract bulls after a rider has fallen off and provide the crowd with wholesome entertainment. 

Bobby Kerr, a Mustang trainer of over 50 years and a well-known performer, brought his “Mustang act” to the Arcadia Rodeo to help provide extra entertainment during the Arcadia All-Florida Championship Rodeo. Kerr’s act had the audience on their feet as he loaded his Mustang into his antique car to sit beside him and shot his gun from on top of his horse, lying down on the ground, demonstrating the extreme trust his Mustangs have in him.

“I’ve been going to the Arcadia Rodeo for years to watch my uncle compete in the team roping events, and I even got to compete myself in getting the ribbon off a calf's tail!” said Racer Goddard, a resident of Arcadia.

By Eden Yacvoetti