GREEN COVE SPRINGS – The call went out shortly before 6:30 Saturday night, an hour before the Clay County Pro Rodeo was supposed to wrap up its second night of roping, riding and bucking inside the Cattleman’s Arena.

J.C. Kitaif Pro Rodeos members heard the rodeo was sold out. With most seats already taken and hundreds of pre-sales still in traffic or the parking lot, nobody else could buy a ticket. The demand was so enormous that J.C. Kitaif General Manager Jade Kataif pushed the start back 15 minutes so the last of nearly 4,000 could go through the front gate and find a seat without missing any of the action.

“We know how many people who haven’t been through the gates have tickets, and we want to give them every opportunity not to miss anything, especially if there’s a lot of traffic and lines trying to get in," Kitaif said. “This is a family event. We want everyone to have fun. We also started Friday’s show 20 minutes late because we were busy and had only one complaint.”

Organizers estimated Friday’s crowd at nearly 3,000 fans.

Everyone watched a card of traditional rodeo competitions, including Ranch Bronc Riding, Calf Roping, Steer Wrestling, Team Roping, Barrel Racing and Bull Riding. And they were by the comedic antics of Rodeo Clown Marshall Green, along with trick riders Hailey and Michaela Wall.

One of the most notable winners was 47-year-old legendary bull rider Ricky Ringer. He was the only one of five to survive the eight-second ride to earn a score. Ringer’s career has spanned over 25 years, and he’s won more than $1 million, leading to filming “Ride Till I Die.”

Another incredible performance came from Angie Hammock in barrel racing. Her run of 15.7 seconds was the best in a field of 10.

Kitaif said the crowd quickly had a connection to the cowboys and cowgirls.

“You know somebody who had a grandpa who had a cow and a horse, but you know their parents didn’t because they moved to the city,” Kitaif said. “They want to feel some connection. They want to wear their cowboy boots. And we generally find it’s coming back, especially in Florida. The cities are big, and they want to be in the country. They’re trying to get back to their country lifestyle. And they’re trying to feel some connection to it.”

Jade Kitaif and Clay County officials were so delighted with the triumphant return of the International Pro Rodeo Association that they tentatively agreed to return twice a year through 2029, Kitaif said. She said J.C. Kitaif Pro Rodeos will be back at the Clay County Fairgrounds each May and September.

Presented by Clay Today, DARCARS Orange Park Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, Winn-Dixie and VyStar Credit Union, portions of the proceeds went to Clay County 4-H.

IPRA used to be on the Clay County schedule, but the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association replaced it. The PRCA’s last run was in 2019, and rodeo didn’t return after COVID-19. Not only did UF/IFAS want to bring rodeo back five years later for 4-H, but it also wanted IPRA.

“We switched from the PRC to the IPRA because it has a lot more history here in Clay County,” said 4-H Agent Stephanie Conner.

Jade said that the two-day show had already elevated Clay County to one of J.C. Kitaif Pro Rodeo’s most significant events of the year.

“We have a couple of them about this size,” she said. “We have about four or five that are about this size. It will eventually, you know, get even bigger with more community support.”

If so, the county will need to bring in larger bleachers.

Oh, yeah, yeah, absolutely. That was a good that was a good crowd. You know, rodeos typical. And in Florida, we always see, we say a generation once removed from the country lifestyle. You know somebody who their grandpa had a cow and a horse, but you know their parents didn’t, they moved to the city now. They want to feel some connection. They want to wear their cowboy boots. And we generally find if it’s coming back, especially in Florida. The cities are big, and they want to be in. They’re trying to get their once removed from that country lifestyle. And they’re trying to get not necessarily back to it, but they just want to feel some connection to it. So we get a really good crowds in Florida, big cities, I would say, so is this going to be one? Is this going to eventually be one of your bigger rodeos OF THE YEAR? Yes, we have a couple of them that are about this size. We have about four or five that are about this size. And it will eventually, you know, the more community support.

You know, that’s what we’re looking for, something to come back every single year that people know, oh, the rodeo is in, you know, may September, whenever, you know, we eventually set our up. That’s what people know. That’s what we do in, you know, the Clay County pro rodeo comes down. That’s what we’re looking for.

more heavy hitters tonight that are higher up in the standings, but they're all competing for the same so they're all professionals. A lot of these people that are, you know, we're here last night, and even tonight. A lot of what they do, they don't have day

jobs. They rodeo.

STEPHANIE CONNER 4-H Agent

I had heard this afternoon I was At around between 21 and 2700

advanced ticket Sales. We switched from the PBR to the IPRA because it has a lot more history here in Clay County.

COOPER MURPHY 4-H Board Member

We're proud to have it here. I think typically, Saturday is a bigger

night. We have a great staff here who's worked hard to put this on for the county and bring it back to the county, and Stephanie's been a big part of that.