Themes chosen for Wytheville arena Finals

The competition is scheduled to begin at 7 pm on Friday, Saturday at 6 pm, and Sunday 1pm. Each day has a unique theme. On Friday, contestants are asked to wear the colors red, white and navy blue. Retro night takes place on Saturday. Participants are encouraged to dress in their favorite pearl buttons, starched denim and Aztec print. Sunday is “tough enough to wear pink day.” Participation in the themes is encouraged but not required.

For Sunday’s “pink” day – the last day of the Finals – the Rodeo Association is hosting a special promotion to raise awareness of cancer which is sponsored by Wrangler. Contestants must pledge $5 in order to compete and wear their best pinked-out Rodeo apparel. The spectators can vote on their favorite pinked Cowgirl or Cowboy. The member who raises the most money by the end of the night will win a “tough enough” prize package.

All concession stand proceeds for all three nights as well as the pinked-out donations will go to the Wrangler “tough enough to wear pink” fund, where the money stays in the local community to help alleviate the burden of breast cancer patients within the Wytheville community and surrounding area.

“I myself battled breast cancer this year and have underwent multiple surgeries and can honestly say that without the help of the pink fund I would not be able to support my daughter in her rodeo journey, which includes being a member of the Billingsway Rodeo Association,” according to Jo Holland Fullen, one of the coordinators of the pink fund theme. “Whether someone is an avid rodeo spectator or this is their first time watching the greatest sport on dirt, the Oct. 22 event will allow everyone to come together for a great night supporting a wonderful cause.”

The admission to each session of rodeo will be $10. Children under 5 are admitted free. Parking and concessions will be available. Billingsway Arena, located at 670 Cinnamon Run SR652, is seven miles from Speedwell and VA21.

The arena will host another event Nov. 4, which is not part of the arena’s season schedule but will be an official meet on the 2024 International Barrel Racing Association schedule.

Billingsway Arena was well represented at the High Country Rodeo Finals September 29-30 and all of the team’s riders were winners.

Kylie Billings took home the All-Around in junior poles and barrels as well as the junior poles titles for both the season and the finals. She won All Around in both junior barrels and poles. She won the open poles as well on the final day.

Brylee phipps won the unmounted goat-tying finals both nights and also finished first in mutton-busting. She was season champion at unmounted goat tying.

Cole Moser won the first place in barrels for peewees, second overall for peewees and All-Around Cowboy.

Jeb Cregger came in second overall for youth.

Maverick patton came in third overall for pee wee.

Taylor Peeples finished second in the open division.

(Anyone sponsoring or hosting an equine event in Carroll, Floyd, Grayson or Wythe County or the surrounding area, and anyone with information about our local competitive riders, may submit their information to [email protected] and it will be included here.)

Oct. 13-14 – Ivanhoe Horse Show, Ivanhoe Civic League.

Oct. 14 – New River Valley Horse Show, Dublin.

Oct. 15 – Precious Valley Farms Fun Show, Elliston.

Oct. 20-22 – Billingsway Arena Finals.

Oct. 21-22 – Along the Water Wagon Train, Floyd ([email protected])

Oct. 27-29 – Poker Run & Benefit Ride for HHH Farm, Floyd ([email protected])

Oct. 27-29 – NCYRA Finals, Harmony, NC.

Oct. 27-29 – JrSRA Rodeo Finals, Yadkinville, NC.

Oct. 29 – Hokie Horse Halloween, Blacksburg.

Oct. 29 – Green Hill Park Halloween Fun Show, Salem.

Oct. 29 – Charity Jumper Show, New Life Center, Wirtz.

Nov. 4 – IBRA barrels meet, Billingsway Arena.