RODEO OF THE OZARKS : Rounders a staple of annual rodeo
Posted on Thursday, July 3, 2008
SPRINGDALE - The Rounders exhibit precision equestrian control as they execute their moves in unison to the roar of the anticipating crowd. The Rounders having been wowing throngs of rodeo aficionados and casual fans for 13 years and they did not disappoint at the 64 th annual Rodeo of the Ozarks at Parsons Stadium in Springdale.
Typically donning patriotic garb, the Rounders were dressed in pink shirts and tan chaps in their Wednesday night performance in support of Tough Enough to Wear Pink night, which helps raise awareness and funds for the fight against breast cancer.
The Rounders also change the routine every year to prevent burnout. The Rounders opted for a more arduous performance this year.
"We come up with a new routine every year with new moves to new music," said Stacy McGaugh, Rounders codirector. "This year we went for a more daring routine. In the past, we've gone for some prettier patterns but this year the girls wanted more of a challenge to excite the crowd a little more. It's faster with more difficult tricks but the crowd got into it and we heard some loud cheers, which is what we were looking for."
The Rounders, based out of Springdale, serve the community as ambassadors for the Rodeo of the Ozarks. Along with their entertainment presence, the Rounders assist Rodeo of the Ozarks officials and staff with ticket and program sales as well as rodeo promotion. And they volunteer countless hours to sundry community causes. The Rounders put on rodeos for the mentally challenged sign autographs for excited children, and promote the Rodeo of the Ozarks.
The Rounders was the brainchild former Rodeo of the Ozarks board member Tim Tatman. McGaugh said Tatman conducted research at several rodeos and decided that the Rodeo of the Ozarks needed its own set of ambassadors to help promote the event.
"We travel around to many of the other smaller area rodeos to help promote the Rodeo of the Ozarks," McGaugh said. "We visit community organizations and get involved in many good causes as ambassadors for the Rodeo of the Ozarks."
The riders, all volunteers, feature a diverse bunch with college students, mothers, school teachers, and rodeo queens all contributing time to the effort. McGaugh said the team collectively opted to give this year's routine more of an edge to please the crowd.
"There are a lot more close calls and crisscrosses this year," McGaugh said. "There are a lot of moves that maybe aren't as pretty to watch but they happen so quickly and they're so precise and close that it tends to pull the crowd into it more."
This year's Rounders are Maegen Broyles, Allison McGaugh, Jessica Conner, Carley McGaugh, Jodie DeRose, Taylor Morris, Cassy Genz, Becca Schram, Amanda Harcourt, Amanda Shelley, Autumn Harris, Miranda Teague, Amanda Hunton, Samantha Tucker, Sabrina Icenogle, Kari Werner and Jerrica Lee.
The Rounders manager is Carie Edwards, who is assisted by Matt Connor, Justin Meeker and Kent Morris. Rhonda Rich is co-director along with McGaugh.
"Some of the older girls have stepped up as leaders and helped out the newer girls," McGaugh said. "They take care of each other because this can get dangerous and we have a lot of bumps and bruises. There's a lot of dust and tears. They ride in arenas that are so dusty they can barely see and muddy enough to swim in."
The Rounders is also family affair for the McGaughs. Twins Allison and Carley are Stacy's daughters and are in their second year with the Rounders.
"They were two when I started and I've got to watch them grow up riding and now their riding with the Rounders," McGaugh said. "It means a lot to me to see them grown up around horses. It's been exciting to see them out here performing with the other girls."
Carley and Allison both share that enthusiasm.
"It's a rush being out there in front of the crowd performing," Carley said. "We practice all year and then it ends with these four big nights. It's very exciting."
Allison concurred.
"I enjoy performing," Allison said. "But I also enjoy all of the other functions we have such as going to nursing homes and the special rodeo. The behind-the scenes stuff is just as fulfilling."
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