Mississippi’s Rodeo Livestock and Animal Athletes Travel the Nation
In partnership with: Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce
From professional bull riding to national rodeo competitions, Mississippi’s livestock takes center stage at sporting events across the country. Sports like rodeo and bull riding rely heavily upon animal athletes, including horses and bucking bulls. These animals and their caretakers are the heart of the sports, combining genetics, training and determination.
Animal Athletes
For Blake Sharp, raising bulls is more than just a passion – it’s a lifestyle he has embraced since childhood.
“I grew up around bucking bulls,” Sharp says. “Being around it my whole life gave me an edge to it and taught me a lot of things that most people never get to experience.”
Now the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) 2023 and 2024 Stock Contractor of the Year, Sharp’s passion and hard work as a full-time contractor over the past 10 years has paid off.
Sharp’s bulls, which are housed and trained in Mississippi, already have two world titles to their names, and Sharp is on the hunt for more.
Keeping the bulls in top shape is a significant part of the job. While not all stock contractors travel with their livestock, Sharp is always on the road with his bulls, overseeing their care. Proper nutrition, exercise, transportation and rest are essential to keep the bulls in good health, and Sharp is there to make sure everything is in order.
“The bulls are like family to me,” Sharp says. “I’m very protective over them.”
On the Farm
While not on the road or competing at PBR events, Sharp’s bulls can be found at home in Mississippi. Part of their care regimen includes a custom feed that Sharp has developed over the years.
“I count on the farmers of Mississippi to raise good corn, soybeans and cottonseed,” Sharp says. “I think what the farmers do is amazing. It’s a lot like what we do.”
Between PBR events, the bulls have a chance to rest, play and exercise at home. With a roster of 100 bulls under his care, Sharp tries to bring in partners and employees that love the animals as much as he does.
“Some people actually love bulls and go the extra mile for them,” Sharp says. “And that’s what we try to do with the bulls because they are the ones that make bull riding what it is. They’re the animal athletes of the sport.”
Some of Sharp’s most noteworthy bulls include UTZ BesTex Legend, who is currently the third-ranked PBR bull worldwide, along with UTZ BesTex Smokestack and Mike’s Motive, both in the top 10.
With partners like UB Bucking Company in Texas, Sharp hopes to keep making a name for his Mississippi bulls.
“We’re going to stay with the big dreams and goals and keep on going,” Sharp says.
The Next Generation
At Northwest Mississippi Community College, the collegiate rodeo team is helping expose young people to different aspects of agriculture.
Professional steer wrestler, six-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier and top five steer wrestler in the world Will Lummus has led the team for the past three seasons. Along with setting up cowboys and cowgirls for a possible career in rodeo, the team is an opportunity for them to learn more about agriculture and animal care.
“There’s a lot of good that comes out of the entire ag program at the college, which includes the rodeo team,” Lummus says.
With 20 freshmen and sophomore students frequently competing against upperclassmen from other universities, the team has held its own. NWCC was proud to finish third in the overall region standings and 22nd in the nation in 2024.
“Some people actually love bulls and go the extra mile for them. And that’s what we try to do with the bulls because they are the ones that make bull riding what it is.”
– Blake Sharp, 2023 and 2024 Stock Contractor of the Year
Whether on a local or national scale, rodeo continues to be a community event with deep roots that draws people from all over the nation together.
“I think it gives people an outing to be around like-minded people and not be judged one way or the other,” Lummus says.
For students on the NWCC team, learning to take care of rodeo livestock, including bulls, calves, horses and steers, is as much a part of the sport as the competition.
“I just think it gets more kids involved in agriculture,” Lummus says. “Agriculture is the lifeblood of everything.”
The Greatest Show on Dirt
Don’t miss the 60th annual Dixie National Livestock Show & Rodeo set for Feb. 7-9 and 12-16, 2025. Smell the dirt, see outstanding sportsmanship, hear the cheers for the events and experience the biggest rodeo happening in the state and east of the Mississippi River. Located at the Mississippi Coliseum on the Mississippi State Fairgrounds, the event is open to all as part of the six-week-long livestock show, rodeo, trade show and more. For more information, visit dixienational.org.