By KRISTIN HOGANS

The Natchez Democrat

NATCHEZ — Brandon Johnson was pulling up at Johnson Arena to check on his animals when The Dart landed on Lewis Drive Wednesday.

Johnson’s grandfather, Elijah Johnson, started the arena many years ago, and it happens to be one of the first in Natchez, Johnson said.

Johnson said his grandfather is getting older so he is now taking over the arena and working to keep the tradition alive.

At the arena, there are horses, goats, guinea fowl and a hog.

Johnson said he tends to the animals about three times a day, depending on his schedule, and the action starts at night.

“This is the place every evening.” Johnson said.

Just about every night when the sun goes down, Johnson and his family and friends come out to the arena to practice with the horses.

They come to teach the horses how to follow the goats and get them ready for competitions.

A family friend, Brad Lyles said Johnson could train any horse.

“When he put his name on it, you got the best,” Lyles said.

The horses come and go, Johnson said, because they are all on the market for sale.

Johnson said they sell the horses based on their worth. His horses range from $1,000 up to $10,000 and he said a top horse could cost more. Johnson said the family tries to keep the costs reasonable though.

On average the family maintains five horses at a time for riding.

Lyles said all of the men of the Johnson Arena grew up together right there in the Providence area and have been in the cattle business since they were young boys.

Learning the entire business was mandatory before learning to ride.

“We had to show our worth first,” Johnson said.

Johnson is now teaching some younger boys about the business and training them through tradition.

Lyles said one of the young cowboys, Cyrus “Sweet Walk” Marsaw, is the leading youth man in the Real Cowboy Association right now and his roping skills are phenomenal.

Lyles said he was proud of Marsaw because he is part of the next generation. He said Marsaw puts in the extra work and practice to become better.

Lately the members of the Johnson Arena have been traveling with different rodeo tours, so haven’t had time to put on shows of their own, but plan to continue soon, Johnson said.

Johnson said the Johnson Arena members compete with the horses they train winning money, saddles and buckles.