Overview:
Presence News covered the opening night of the 61st Annual Dixie National Rodeo in Jackson, Mississippi, where competitors from across the United States kicked off a week of competition at the Mississippi Coliseum. The article highlights the atmosphere inside the arena, explores the backgrounds and perspectives of participating riders, and examines the traditions and values that continue to shape professional rodeo. Through on-site reporting and interviews, the story captures the intensity of opening night and the culture surrounding one of the region’s long-running rodeo events.
JACKSON, Miss. —The 61st Annual Dixie National Rodeo opening night yesterday drew rodeo performers from across the nation, including Texas, Wyoming, Oklahoma, and the Mountain West. The first night of competition featured a number of events, including bronc riding and bull riding, as performers attempted to gain an early edge.
Fans filled the Mississippi Coliseum on opening night as riders from across the country kicked off a week of competition that blends professional rodeo sport with long-standing Western tradition. From the first chute opening to the final ride of the night, the crowd responded loudly to each successful performance, setting the tone for the nights ahead.
(Credit: William Barber)
A Tradition That Continues to Draw National Talent
The Dixie National Rodeo, now in its sixth decade, continues to attract rodeo talent from across the country, including Texas, Wyoming, Oklahoma, and the Mountain West. The first night of competition included a variety of events, including bronc riding and bull riding, as riders sought to gain an early advantage.
Among those competing were Brody Wells of Wyoming and Gus Gaillard of Texas, two riders whose backgrounds reflect the cultural roots that continue to define rodeo.
“For both of us, we just grew up — Gus is from northern Texas, and I’m from northern Wyoming,” Wells said. “We just grew up on horses. It’s the kind of culture and the way of life where we’re from.”
That shared upbringing remains common among competitors at the Dixie National, where ranch work and horsemanship often serve as the foundation for professional rodeo careers.
Influences That Shape a Riding Style
Gaillard said those early influences extended beyond geography to the riders he watched and learned from as he developed his own approach to competition.
“For both of us, it was probably a guy named Cort Scheer,” Gaillard said. “We’re both kind of taller, lankier guys. We ride our saddles, our stirrups a little bit longer. Cort was someone we looked up to and someone whom I tried to base my style off.”
Wells added that multiple competitors influenced his development.
“Cort Scheer, Taos Muncy, and Clay Elliot are kind of the three taller, lankier guys,” Wells said.
As the first night of competition progressed, riders attempted to strike a balance between being aggressive and consistent, recognizing that the first night can have a significant impact on the remainder of the competition.
Adrenaline, Atmosphere, and the Drive to Compete
For Wells, the motivation to continue competing stems from the constant intensity of the sport.
“If you get bored easily, it’s good for you,” Wells said. “There’s a lot of stuff going on. The adrenaline rush is what I love, and I just love horses.”
Gaillard pointed to the crowd as a key part of the experience.
“I think just the thrill of the sport,” Gaillard said. “The crowd gets it going when you make a good ride, and just an internal feeling you get when you’ve known that you’ve done something good or made a really good ride. That feeling of being a champion is something that you can’t recreate in everyday life.”
Opening night performances reflected that pursuit, with riders taking calculated risks to post strong early scores.
Different Approaches, Same Arena
Wells described his riding style as one that embraces risk.
“Sometimes my riding style is I let it hang out every time I get on,” Wells said. “Sometimes it will cost me here and there, but it’s paid me way more than it’s ever going to cost me.”
Gaillard said his everyday ranch work shapes his approach more than specialized athletic training.
“Just trying to look at it as a working ranch cowboy versus an athlete,” Gaillard said. “I don’t do a lot of stuff in the gym. It’s just working and having a job back home, and then going to the rodeos and doing this, and just knowing that whatever I did during the week working has helped me in the rodeo. Some people take this a little too seriously as an athletic sport — it’s a cowboy event.”
That philosophy remains a defining feature of rodeo culture and was evident throughout the opening night.
Inside the Chute: What Riders Experience
When asked about the moments just before a ride, both competitors described a mental state shaped by years of repetition.
“You can’t really think or, else you’re going to fall off or get behind,” Wells said. “It happens so fast. We’ve worked at it for years and years. When you crawl in there, you just don’t think about it. You can’t really explain it to someone who has never been on a horse that’s jumped in the air and kicked their feet like that.”
Gaillard agreed, emphasizing confidence over conscious thought.
“You’ve worked at it for so long,” Gaillard said. “You’re just confident in your abilities and not overthinking it.”
Addressing Misconceptions About Rodeo
Both riders also addressed common misconceptions about rodeos, particularly regarding animal welfare.
“It’s about how the animals get handled,” Wells said. “These animals have been bred for 100-plus years. They’ve selectively bred the ones that buck. These horses and bulls want to buck. But the first thing people think is that these animals are being tortured or forced to do it.”
Gaillard emphasized the care given to livestock.
“We take care of these animals,” Gaillard said. “We’re not trying to do anything to hurt them or tone them down to make them easy to ride. We make our living off of them. We truly do love them.”
Advice for the Next Generation
As the opening night concluded and attention shifted to the remaining performances, both riders offered advice to young competitors considering entering the sport.
“For young kids starting out, I would say surround yourself with someone who’s done it before,” Wells said. “Get a good mentor, go to a good rodeo school, get good equipment, and surround yourself with guys you want to be like.”
Gaillard echoed that message.
“Rodeo schools exist for a reason,” Gaillard said. “If you want to do it, make sure you kind of have an idea of what you’re going to do with it before you do it.”
With a strong opening-night crowd, the 61st Annual Dixie National Rodeo launches another successful run.
Editor’s Disclaimer: This article is based on first-hand reporting and on-the-record interviews conducted during the opening night of the 61st Annual Dixie National Rodeo. Statements regarding rodeo culture and animal handling reflect the personal views and experiences of the individuals quoted.
