GREEN COVE SPRINGS – It was tempting for Clay County 4-H to bring PRCA ProRodeo back to the Clay County Fairgrounds twice a year through 2028. After all, counting last weekend’s show at the Cattlemen’s Arena, event organizers had no problem selling tickets for the two-day show.

But 4-H Youth Development Director Elaine Simfukwe said the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agriculture Sciences branch decided to focus more on quality than quantity after signing a three-year deal with J.C. Kitaif Pro Rodeos for one annual show near Labor Day.

“We want to make it a real quality show and build from there,” Simfukwe said. “I think this has been a good foundation for us. The fans love it; the rodeo has been great.”

Nearly 7,000 tickets were sold for the combined performances last Friday and Saturday, and attendees were treated to more than four total hours of bull-snorting, bronc-busting, rope-swirling, and horse-flying efforts by some of the best cowboys and cowgirls in the Southeast.

It started quickly on the first night when team ropers Bradley Massey (header) and Bryce Hart (heeler) caught and roped their steer in 6.6 seconds. That time stood as the quickest for both nights, providing Hart, who grew up in Keystone Heights, with a first-place belt buckle.

Kitaif also brought bull riding, bronc riding, bareback riding, steer wrestling, saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping and barrel racing to the arena, as well as the fan-favorite mutton-busting, where small children try to ride sheep for a trophy.

According to rodeo general manager Jade Kitaif, next year’s ProRodeo will be on Aug. 28-29, followed by Sept. 24-25 in 2027 and Sept. 29-30 in 2028. All three years have the potential to draw record crowds, as none of the state’s top college football teams – Florida, Florida State, Miami, Central Florida or South Florida – have games scheduled on any of those weekends.

Bradley Massey and Bryce Hart 6.6 seconds team roping