Transcript Staff
The rodeo team from the Joseph Harp Correctional Center in Lexington took first place honors at the 67th annual Oklahoma prison rodeo at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester Aug. 18 and 19.
The 2007 JHCC rodeo team cowboys included Henry West, Jesse McFadden, Charles Wood, Wayne Thompson, Eddie Berry, Darryl Winters, Mike Ball, Chris Clawson, Chris Pitts and Patrick Hines.
Officials said JHCC won the year’s “braggin’ rights” to first place. In addition, Winters, a Jones native, won “Top Bareback” honors.
Except for a handful of years when it was canceled because of World War II or an inmate uprising in the 1970s, McAlester’s rodeo has endured, along with the one hosted by the state prison in Angola, La., even as rising costs and liability concerns have closed the show in Huntsville and at penitentiaries in Mississippi and North Dakota.
The rodeo is a mixture of competitions featuring both inmate and professional contestants, with inmates participating in rough stock events and professionals competing in roping events, as well as barrel racing and steer wrestling.
New this year was the addition of teams from the state’s two female prison institutions. More than two dozen women from the Mabel Bassett and Eddie Warrior correctional centers went head to head against their male counterparts in rough stock and special events — bull riding, bronc riding, the wild horse race, bull poker and “Money the hard way,” where inmates try to grab a sack worth $100 from between the horns of a bull.
In McAlester, inmates practice using an old, mechanical bull, but some prisons use real animals.
About 140 inmates from 10 correctional facilities participated in this year’s rodeo, officials said.
The rodeo is officially sanctioned by the International Professional Rodeo Association.
Local news
Local prison team takes first place at rodeo
- Local news
-
-
Volunteers clean up Bishop Creek
Norman’s Bishop Creek is home to a lot more than frogs, turtles and water skimmers, a group of volunteers say....
-
More travelers to hit the road this Memorial Day
NEW YORK — More Americans will hit the road this holiday weekend than a year ago. And they’ll have a bit more money to spend thanks to lower gas prices....
-
OBA names officers
TULSA — Brad Swickey, president and CEO of Valliance Bank in Oklahoma City, was inducted as chairman of the Oklahoma Bankers Association at the OBA’s 115th Leadership Forum and Annual Convention, held May 14 and 15 at the Renaissance Hotel ...
-
Rig count down by 3 to 1,983
HOUSTON — The number of rigs actively exploring for oil and natural gas in the U.S. is down three this week to 1,983....
-
Cornerstone Metals Recycling opens in Norman
Cornerstone Metals Recycling has officially opened a recycling facility in Norman at 2350 Industrial Blvd. The facility will provide easy access drive-through for recyclers in the Norman area including South Oklahoma City, Moore and Pauls ...
-
Agriculture Department spurring exports
International Market Development Coordinator Barbara Charlet is constantly finding new ways to introduce Oklahoma’s agricultural products to foreign markets. With 18 years of experience in the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and ...
-
Women finding independence through direct or home-based sales
Women who sell Avon, Arbonne, Amway and Tupperware say their companies continue to evolve and change to meet the demands of the market. They also say these direct sales approaches can be a fun way to work, combining socializing — through ...
-
New site aids wheel chair-bound diners
OKLAHOMA CITY — A new website — www.WheelingAroundTown.com., dedicated to reviewing Oklahoma restaurants for “wheelchair friendly” accessibility — just launched to provide better dining experience for disabled community....
-
FamilyWize offers prescription discounts
It’s been a tough year for illness and injury at my house. My wife had the flu, my youngest son had mono and my oldest son broke his ankle. We are fortunate that my wife has pretty good insurance through her work. That helps us cover the ...
-
Windfalls sweeping down the plain
A few months ago, when the lottery numbers skyrocketed to an unprecedented jackpot, I visited the automated machine at Homeland with a friend who showed me how to operate the machine and make my picks. Alas, my numbers were not the ones ...
- More Local news Headlines
-
Volunteers clean up Bishop Creek
