Hat's off: Cowboys and cowgirls show skills at the Sokol Park rodeo

Ropers and riders were back in Tuscaloosa for the annual Sokol Park Rodeo in Ray C. Jenkins Arena on July 11-13. Cowboys and cowgirls competed in the 16th annual rodeo in an effort to gain points to qualify for the nationals held every year in Philadelphia, Mississippi. The rodeo is conducted by the Double Creek Rodeo Company based in Eutaw.

The rodeo kicks off with events for children highlighted by the mutton-busting competition where the young riders try to hang on as they ride a sheep bareback like the bareback bronc riders. The professionals compete in a variety of events including bareback bronc riding, calf roping, breakaway roping, barrel racing, bull riding and steer wrestling.

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Hat's off: Cowboys and cowgirls show skills at the Sokol Park rodeo