2009 Welcome to Wise.indd - Wise County Messenger

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BRIDGEPORT Riding Club
The Bridgeport Riding Club was organized
in 1957. Founding members met at
an all-wood rodeo arena, located where
Harwood Park is now, for a few months
before moving to an arena owned by Jerry
Buckingham, about four miles north on
Texas 101. Then members moved to an
arena owned by Marvin Mercer, located
on Pleasant View Road before moving to
a roping pen built by George Bean and
Buddy Bean, off Farm Road 920 about five
miles from Bridgeport.
The following year the club bought six
acres to build where the arena is at now.
Originally, the arena was made of elwood
wire, and there were wooden bleachers.
Later, it was renovated to steel with metal
bleachers. In the early 1970s, a dance floor
was added and the Riding Club began
Willow Creek
Country Club
just past the
Wise County line
Billy Privett
(817) 688-7291
Wise County Wranglers
at Salt Creek Arena
in Boyd
David Burton
(817) 636-2026
Other riding clubs
Lone Star Riders
at Bob Ruffin Arena
in Keeter
Toby Knight
(817) 220-8408
Texas Smokin’ Guns
at Willow Creek
Country Club
in Jack County
Lou Ciserni
(817) 368-0627
hosting a dance two nights during the
rodeo.
Today, the club hosts a youth rodeo in
April and collaborates with the Bridgeport
Chamber of Commerce to organize the
PRCA rodeo during Butterfield Stage Days.
Several playdays are held throughout the
year. These consist of speed events but do
not include roping nor roughstock like in a
rodeo.
Dues are $20 per family and $10 per
individual.
Officers include Katherine Hudson,
president; Kenny Hudson, vice president;
Wendy Vann, treasurer; and Bonnie Musser,
historian. Royalty includes Stevi Roubion,
rodeo queen; Hope Dennie, princess;
Paitane Brown, sweetheart; Tallan Miller,
wrangler; and directors Jerry Cox, Chad
Cox, J.J. Miller, Jimmy Williams.
For more information on the Riding Club
or uts events, visit its Web site at www.
bridgeportridingclub.org.
Other area riding clubs include:
RAY AARON
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