JACKSONVILLE, Texas – Rodeo fans in this east Texas community of nearly 15,000 know they can expect world-class action every May.
The Tops in Texas Rodeo is a showcase of the sport’s brightest stars, including the animal athletes from Pete Carr’s Classic Pro Rodeo. This year’s event is set for 7 p.m. Thursday, May 14-Saturday, May 16, at Lons Morris College Arena, the closest venue of the season to the Carr ranch near Athens.
It’s the perfect place for great athletes to shine. Take Evan Jayne, a bareback rider from France now living in Texas. He won the Jacksonville rodeo a year ago with a ride on Black Coffee, a quick mare that has been selected six times to buck at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. This season Jayne is the third-ranked bareback rider in the world standings.
Rising star Wacey Hathcock earned the saddle bronc riding victory on Trail Dust, a strong bay mare that has bucked three times at the NFR.
The list goes on and on. The leaderboard at the Tops in Texas Rodeo is a combination of up-and-coming superstars mixed with established champions.
It’s what fans have come to expect when the rodeo hits Jacksonville.