GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Justin Thigpen isn’t ready to ride off into the sunset just yet.

With many competitors between the ages of 20 and 30, the rodeo is generally considered a young person’s sport. Thigpen is a 39-year-old superstar and still one of the International Pro Rodeo Association’s most formidable performers after winning three of his 25 career World Championships last year.

And he’s not ready to hang up his saddle anytime soon.

“I’ve had a few injuries, but I’ve been pretty blessed along the whole way,” he said. “I’ve seen all walks in the rodeo. I still have the spark and the fire. If I ever lose that, I will sell all my stuff and stay home. But I haven’t lost it yet.”

Thigpen will be at Clay County Pro Rodeo this weekend at the Clay County Fairgrounds. On Saturday, he will compete in Steer Wrestling and Tie-Down Roping as the reigning IPRA world champion. Of all the timed events Justin works on, Tie-Down Roping is both his favorite and the hardest.

“You have to keep your horses tuned up and ready,” he said.

As the second-winningest cowboy in IPRA history, Thigpen makes selected appearances at venues close to his South Georgia home. He has two sons, Slade and Trent, and they want him to stay on the circuit. “My boys are what keeps me motivated. They want to go, so we keep going,” Thigpen said.

He also said the Cattleman’s Arena is undoubtedly one of his favorite venues.

“It’s a great facility. I think the competition will be good for sure,” he said. “My reason for liking it is it has a big indoor pen. Most pens are small when you go indoors, you know, or cover facility, or whatever. I like this one because it’s big and I can use my horsepower there. And it’s got a roof, and you don’t have to worry about weather.”

Presented by Clay Today, DARCARS Orange Park Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, Winn-Dixie and VyStar Credit Union, a portion of the proceeds will benefit Clay County 4-H. And like Thigpen said, despite being an outdoor arena, the roof means shows on Friday and Saturday won’t be affected by inclement weather.

The most decorated cowboy in IPRA history is Dan Dailey. He won 29 World Championships and qualified for 58 International Finals Rodeos that determine the seasonal world championship. Thigpen is second with 25 world titles – 11 Tie-Down Roping, eight Steer Wrestling, five All-Around and one Champion Team Roping – and 16 IFR appearances.

Thigpen said he was also attracted to the Clay County Pro Rodeo, the area’s rich “heritage” of cowboys and cowgirls.

“I’ll call it Florida heritage,” he said. “But any heritage, there’s still cowboys and all-day workers all around that you can preserve a little bit of the cowboy and a little less than a big city." The two-day event, including as many as 200 of the nation’s top rodeo stars, will help determine who will make the final cut for the International Finals Rodeo 55 in January in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Cowboys and Cowgirls will compete in eight categories – Bareback Riding, Saddle Bronc Riding, Bull Riding, Cowgirl Breakaway Roping, Cowgirl Barrel Racing, Tie-Down Roping, Steer Wrestling, Heeler Team Roping and Header Team Toping.

Advance tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for children and $20 on the day of the show, and they are available at rodeometro.ticketleap.com.