By DREW GRANTHUM/Sports Writer

COLUMBIANA — There was plenty of “horse power” to go around Feb. 22, as fans packed the stands of the Shelby County Exhibition Center to watch the second night of the 27^th Annual Shelby County Cattlemen’s Association Rodeo.

The event was put on by Ken Treadway Rodeo Co. and featured riders from the International Professional Rodeo Association and the Southeastern Professional Rodeo Association.

Fans were treated to non-stop action the entire night. From the opening tribute to the U.S. Armed Forces, which featured riders mounted on five painted horses parading around the arena with flags to the seven divisions (including bareback riding, saddle back, bull riding and barrel racing among others) of rodeo events, the cowboys and cowgirls did not disappoint those in attendance.

SCCA President Ronnie Cook said while the rodeo was a fun event for those in attendance, it was also a huge help to the association as well.

“A lot of hard work goes into it,” he said. “It’s our only fundraiser that we do. (It)’s what our whole year’s budget is generated (through) the rodeo. It’s real important to us.”
The twenty-five-person board of directors started the planning process for the rodeo around October, Cook said.

Rodeo director Harold Hughes said putting the event together was a total team effort.

“Our board (has) a list, after 27 years, of our sponsors,” he said. “We go through them and ask for sponsorship. Most of the board members do the work as far as setting up the rodeo and working it. “
Hughes went on to say that he felt fans appreciated the individualism of the sport.

“It’s good entertainment,” he said. “You know it’s more one guy instead of a team event. It’s one guy and the horse (or bull). This is the first rodeo that (Treadway) puts on every year, so we try to pull in all our people from this area.”
Those Hughes was successful in pulling included sisters Joy Sundin and Donna Horsley . While Sundin lives in Moody and Horsley lives in Wilsonville, their love of the rodeo got them together to enjoy the evening.

“I love the horses,” Sundin said.  “All the events (the participants) do, it’s great.

Horsley said the family atmosphere is what keeps her coming back.

“It’s a family adventure,” Horsley said.  “There’s no alcohol here. That’s one thing I like.”