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A participant rides a bull into the Adams County arena Saturday night. (Photo courtesy SERA)

On Saturday night, one man climbs the arena fence to escape a bucking bull. (Photo courtesy SERA)

A bull escapes from its handlers and shows out Saturday night at the Southeastern Rodeo Association event in Natchez. (Photo courtesy SERA)

A full house watched rodeo events at the newly-renovated Adams County Equestrian Center Saturday night. (Photo courtesy SERA)

Singleton awards a buckle to Cobie Johnson, 15, of Natchez, for winning the junior breakaway competition. (Photo courtesy SERA)

Singleton awards a buckle to Madison Griffin, 9, of Natchez, for her win in the pee wee barrel racing competition. (Photo courtesy SERA)

SERA board member Erica Singleton, a Natchez native, awards a winning buckle to Tia Pinder, 17, of Natchez, who won in the ladies' breakaway competition Saturday. (Photo courtesy SERA)

Singleton awards a buckle to Michaela Mitchell, 16, of Natchez, the winner in the ladies' steer undecorating competition and the junior barrel racing. Singleton said that in the undecorating competition, the competitor must pull a piece of take off the steer’s back as fast as possible. (Photo courtesy SERA)

Singleton awards a buckle to Troy Ford of Grand Cane, Louisiana, who won in steer wrestling and old-timers’ breakaway events. (Photo courtesy SERA)

Winners of the Southeastern Rodeo Association event in Natchez at the Adams County Equestrian Center on Saturday. (Courtesy SERA)

NATCHEZ — Southeastern Rodeo Association, based in Wetumpka, Alabama, held its first rodeo in Natchez at the Adams County Equestrian Center on Saturday, and board member Erica Singleton heaped praise on Natchez and Adams County for making it a successful event.

The association paid $13,463 in prize money and awarded 12 buckles to winners.

Singleton, who lives in Baton Rouge but is a Natchez native, said more than 80 cowboys and cowgirls and their families traveled from out of state to Natchez to compete. More than 70 Adams County cowboys and cowgirls competed, too.

“It was great,” Singleton said. “The turnout was great. The county really showed up and supported this rodeo. It was amazing.”

District 5 Supervisor Warren Gaines proudly showed off the newly renovated arena.

“We had a full house, and we got a lot of compliments from people about the facility,” Gaines said.

The county’s board of supervisors renovated the arena in 2023 as part of its renovation and upgrades to all county parks.

“We upgraded the bathrooms and built another bathroom. We put covers over the bleachers, roping boxes, and the back of the arena to protect the animals. We also installed new LED lights and RV plug-ins and built a wash rack for the horses. We replaced all the broken pipes, put in new gates, and painted the arena,” Gaines said.

He said the announcer’s stand was also renovated and a new PA system was installed.

“We had people here from Alabama, Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas. It was a nice, pleasant evening with good food and a great family atmosphere,” Gaines said.

He was also pleased with the diversity of the crowd of people who attended to watch the rodeo events.

“It was a good mix of people. I am proud of the turnout and proud of the community. We had people from all walks of the community out there. We did not have any negative incidents. Everything was pleasant,” Gaines said.

Singleton said the Natchez arena deserves more exposure.

“Natchez has a strong rodeo group and a strong Adams County Youth Rodeo Association. Natchez travels everywhere to compete. Why not have a rodeo in Natchez? It’s time to show off our town and all the good talent we have there,” she said.

“The arena was amazing. It was in great shape. Adams County catered to all of our needs and had everything we needed, wanted and expected for a full rodeo. They did an amazing job and we can’t thank them enough,” Singleton said.

The Adams County Board of Supervisors is responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the arena, which Singleton called top-notch.

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