From milking cows to wagon rides, the Troy community was able to experience Burning Bush Cowboy Church’s first annual Ranch Rodeo on Saturday and with it a glimpse into the life on an actual ranch.

The competitions included sorting, mugging, doctoring and wild cow milking. Teams from across the South came to compete and enjoy a day of rodeo.

“They’ve enjoyed it,” said Don Smith, Grounds Team Leader at Burning Bush Cowboy Church. “We had a country music concert after the first performance by a man named Kevin Adair of Slapout. He is really good. He writes his own music and he can cover anybody’s music.”

The Burning Bush Cowboy Church was proud to have the only female competitor, Jasmine Owens, on its team.

“Most guys think girls are weak, and my dad raised me to be one of the guys,” Owens said. “Anything a guy can do, I can do it better, but sassy.”

The Hunter Cattle Company won first place overall, with JDR Ranch in second and Jones Cattle Company in third. The Jackpot winners include Cowboy Church of Marshall County for the wild cow milking and Jones Cattle Company for mugging.

Many of the people in attendance were there to support those competing, but some were there just to have a good time.

“We thought it might be something fund to do on a Saturday just to spend the day here,” said Kelli Anderson, a Brundidge resident who recently moved from Arizona. “This is my first rodeo in Alabama.” Anderson said she has attended about 10 rodeos overall, and she said she enjoyed the Ranch Rodeo.

“My favorite part has been the cow milking,” she said. “It’s been a fun experience. I’m just trying to get the feel for the small town rodeo.”

Kristine Hagedorn, who attended the rodeo with Anderson, said that it was also her first Alabama rodeo because she is originally from Canada.

“I’ve enjoyed all the events so far,” Hagedorn said. “I’ve enjoyed all the great people. Meeting people in Alabama has been really nice.”

Anderson and Hagedorn took part in all of the elements of the rodeo – watching the events, buying jewelry and riding the mules. Both said they enjoyed spending the entire Saturday at the Ranch Rodeo.