From dusty bottoms to boots of mud, Hidden Creek Ranch&8217;s rodeo dream continues to become a reality.

Ranch owner Ky Vinsant partnered with Dale Ray and 3R Rodeo Company of Jemison to host the Hidden Creek Ranch Rodeo this past weekend in Sterrett.

The Professional Cowboys Association sanctioned rodeo drew contestants from across the southeast, including a hand full of local contestants.

While most of the local contestants struggled in the outdoor arena located on County Road 43, the one who knew his bull the best managed to capture third place in bull riding.

Austin Vinsant, the 17-year-old son of owner Ky, posted a score of 77.5 to finish in third place behind Aaron Dedeaux, 82, and Jon Welch, 78. The placement earned him $248.40 in winnings.

&8220;You draw your bull for the night, and he just happened to draw our bull,&8221; Ky Vinsant said.

As his parents looked on, Austin took to riding his bull, Slick, not too far away from the field where his passion for bull riding began at age 4.

&8220;We were coming home from church one day and he spotted a big black angus bull out in the field and turned to us and said, &8216;One day I&8217;m going to ride that old bull,&8217;&8221; Ky Vinsant said.

&8220;A lot of people think because I do what I do, he&8217;s been pushed, but that&8217;s just what&8217;s been in his heart since he was 4.&8221;

While Austin came into money at the rodeo, other local bull riders didn&8217;t have the best of nights.

Ryan Davis of Vincent, who picked up his first win of the season two weeks ago in Clayton, was bucked off early by bull No. 12.

&8220;That bull was really good. I really didn’t expect him to be as good as he was,&8221; Davis said. &8220;He kind of clicked my heel and my feet just slid down the side of him.&8221;

Another Vincent resident, Justin Jackson, made his first ride in almost two months. After having trouble with the bull named WO, Jackson was given a re-ride after the show was over. He has been riding for two years, started riding on Sunday afternoons at Hidden Creek last year.

Jordan Champion of Chelsea and Joseph Calafrancesco of Sterrett each made their first rodeo appearance.

Breakaway roper Mary English of Montevallo came to Hidden Creek on Saturday after traveling to Marianna, Fla. Friday night.

&8220;If it&8217;s local, count me in,&8221; English said.

Although she failed to get a good loop around her calf and post a time Saturday, English brought home more than $800 for a first place time of 2.9 seconds in Florida.

Philip Kelce of Calera competed in calf roping and team roping.

Although the crowd was small for the weekend, Ky Vinsant hopes to host the event again next year.

&8220;We’re pleased. When you do your first rodeo there is so much to do. The coordination is unbelievable. You don’t always have a good crowd on your first go-round, but I thought we had a good crowd Saturday night,&8221; he said.

Rodeo Results

Bull Riding: 1-Aaron Dedeaux 82, 2-Jon Welch 78, 3-Austin Vinsant 77.5.

Bareback Bronc Riding: 1-Tim Hensley 74.

Barrel Racing:

1-Shawna Bourne 16.203, 2-Tammy Bruso 16.425, 3-Michelle Miller 16.428.

Calf Roping: 1-Clint Keller 8.6, 2-Clay Loftis 9.9, 3-Scott Mullen 10.3.

Breakaway Roping: 1-Kasidi Griffen 3.2, 2-Jesie Ervin 3.7, 3-Talese Berry 4.0.

Team Roping: 1-Clint Keller/Mark Gentry 5.4, 2-Clint Keller/Tye Etheridge 5.6, 3-Judah Fleming/Hugo Garcia 6.1.

Steer Wrestling: 1-Luke Campbell 4.6, 2-Troy Orr 4.8, 3-Clay Perry 5.0