Florence Jr. Parada Rodeo 2015

Written by

Shannon Sweeney

Who is in the mood for team roping? How about breakaway roping or goat tying? Is barrel racing or chute dogging on your list for entertainment? How about watching a bit of sheep riding or, even, bull riding? Look no further. Florence, Arizona is the place you want to be.
Florence, Arizona is home to the oldest junior rodeo in the United States. This year, the Pinal County Mounted Posse will host the 83rd annual Florence Jr. Parada Rodeo at The Charles Whitlow Rodeo Arena. This arena is 2 Miles South of Florence on Highway 79. The 2015 junior Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) event is slated for November 28 and 29. This is the United States’ oldest rodeo competition.
Many a cowboy and cowgirl are expected to participate in the competitions, which include:

- team roping
- breakaway roping
- chute dogging
- goat tying
- barrel racing
- sheep riding
- bull riding

The theme of this year’s Florence Jr. Parada Rodeo is “Rope and spur into the 83rd.” Competition is open to any contestant up to the age of 18.
Membership in a particular organization is not required. It is a two day event and there will even be events for the little ones, ages 5 and under.
One of the sponsors of the event, The Pinal County Mounted Posse, is an elite group of individuals from the community put together by the Pinal County Sheriff to aid and assist in various activities such as event security, crime scene security, traffic control, and more. They are a long time sponsor of many area youth activities, youth rodeos, and, of course, the Junior Parada held in Florence, Arizona each year. The Pinal County Mounted Posse has been gearing up for this event all year through their various fundraisers and activities. They look forward to seeing you there, to support the youth of the Florence, Arizona area, and those from further away.
The Cowboy Lifestyle Network, Ak-Chin Indian Community and Earnhardt Auto Road Team are working together to be the media team supplying the best coverage for the Florence Jr. Parada Rodeo this year. They are the leading online rodeo resource for every cowboy and cowgirl to get his or her competition information. CLN’s website would be the place to get all the updates on the results for team roping, breakaway roping, chute dogging, goat tying, barrel racing, mutton busting, and even bull riding.
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Jodi Erpelding

I grew up on a Midwest farm with dirt under my fingernails and the sound of wind rustling through cornfields. My childhood was all about 4H – raising pigs and horses, learning to bake and sew, and discovering the magic of transforming a garden into jars of summer sunshine. Those years taught me the value of hard work, the thrill of seeing a project through to the end, and the simple joy of creating something beautiful. A country girl with a need for speed and a thirst for adventure. Maybe that's why I love the feeling of wind in my hair – whether I'm cruising down a dusty road on my Harley or tackling a mountain trail on my trusty mountain bike. Some of my earliest memories of rodeo are watching my father compete at small local events. That's also where my love for country music comes in – long car rides listening to 8 tracks. The lyrics and melodies always spoke to my soul. These days, you'll find me cheering on the cowboys and cowgirls at rodeos, two-stepping to my favorite bands, belting out a country tune at a concert or sharing stories and laughter with friends around a bonfire. When I'm not soaking up the country life and getting my boots dirty, I'm a nurse, caring for folks in my community. Follow along for more stories from the heart of rodeo and country life!