The cowboy hats flew off every time, but the riders at the Adams County Youth Rodeo stayed on their horses, even when they weren’t competing.

The parking lot, the woods behind the arena and all along the rails proved to be perfect for quality time between rider and horse.

Devan Sims, 11, said he’s been riding all his life.

&uot;He gets me out there and does what I tell him to do,&uot; Sims said of his horse Chico.

Sims is one of about 50 children ages three to high school seniors in the Adams County Youth Rodeo Club. Saturday’s monthly rodeo gave the riders the chance to do what they love best &045;&045; compete.

&uot;I like barrel racing,&uot; Susan Hamilton, 12, said. &uot;I’ve been riding since I was three. I spend about two days a week and on weekends with the horse.&uot;

Hamilton won first place in arena racing and second place in barrel racing and poles.

Competitions included calf riding, break away roping, goat tying and steer riding, among others. Entry fees range, depending on age and competition, from $5 an event to $25.

The Youth Rodeo, which opened in April, is a non-profit organization that uses the H&M Arena. The money raised from membership fees and competition entry fees is divided into two funds. One half goes to the first through third place finishers in each category at the rodeo and the other half is used at the end of the year to buy equipment for the members who receive end-of-the-year awards. Local businesses help sponsor the rodeo and donate prizes given away during raffles. The riders also have to make good grades in school to participate.

&uot;This is all a part of education,&uot; Secretary Doris Brown said. &uot;They have to maintain themselves in school. We try to get them to do good and we reward them.&uot;

Saturday’s rodeo drew participants from as far away as Pineville, La., and Brandon. Bryce Brown, 9, had to talk his parents into making the drive down from Brandon Saturday morning. &uot;It’s fun,&uot; Brown said. &uot;This was my first time doing arena race. I was a little nervous that I would fall because the horse bucked.&uot;

The ACYRC held a safety workshop in May to instruct young riders and parents on handling the horses.

Five-year-old Taylor Brown said she wasn’t afraid of the horse she rode. &uot;I’ve been riding since I was four,&uot; she said. &uot;I like running. I have to spend a little bit of time with the horse to get ready.&uot;

The next rodeo will be on Sept. 11 and the children will do something special to remember victims of the 2001 terrorist attacks.