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Longhorn Rodeo comes to Hara
Thursday, February 07, 2008
DAYTON — The 4th Annual Longhorn Championship Rodeo begins its weekend long event today at the Hara Arena, where many eyes will be focused on Gena Cox, a female bull rider from Germantown.
Cox, 23, will be one of six females who will compete in the first annual women's professional bull riding competition.
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"It is difficult because I am always under a microscope," she said of competing in what has become known as a "man's sport."
Even though she is nervous about this weekend's competition, she keeps her focus once she enters the ring.
"By the time I get my rope going, I forget about the other people that are here," she said.
Another way Cox prepares before a competition is on her farm that she bought two years ago where she rides any of the 17 horses there on a daily basis.
So why should you come out and watch Gena and the other competitors this weekend?
"Longhorn is one of the best rodeos I've seen from a spectator's point of view. They have the best of everything," Cox said.
Kevin DeBusk, Longhorn's Circuit Facilities Manager, said the rodeo appeals to families.
"This is something where you can bring your 86 year old mother or your 3 year old son," DeBusk said. The events are, "good clean family fun that have been passed down from generation to generation," he said.
On Sunday — the last day of the Rodeo — marks the first "Tough Enough to Wear Pink," event. The goal is to get everyone to wear pink in order to support breast cancer research. There will also be merchandise available with proceeds going to the cause. The event hits close to home for those in the Longhorn Rodeo family, as they lost their founder — Bruce Lehrke — to another type of cancer last May.
If you would like more information regarding this event, contact the Hara Arena Box Office at (937) 228-2323, or online at www.ticketmaster.com.
