By CAROL KENT
PONCE DE LEON – The 3rd annual Vortex Spring Rodeo drew thousands Friday night and is expected to see the same numbers Saturday.
“Vortex Spring is known as the home of the ‘Diver Down Flag’ and so much more. We aim to bring more and more tourism to Holmes County and especially the ‘wild west side,’ better known as Vortex Spring and Ponce de Leon,” said Vortex Spring Adventures owner Angela Dockery. “By adding additional attractions like the rodeo and our other special events, we hope to support the local tourism industry all year round.”
In addition to the large crowd of spectators, the event drew hundreds of professional cowboys and cowgirls. The event saw about 100 team roping teams, 32 female breakaway ropers, 16 saddle and bareback bronc riders, 26 calf ropers, 35 steer wrestlers, 84 barrel racers, and 35 bullriders.
In addition to the professional events, Saturday’s crowd can expect the return of children’s favorites mutton bustin’ and calf scramble. Special guest Smokey the Bear is set to award buckles to the mutton bustin’ winners.
Sign-ups will be at 5 p.m. with the event starting at 6 p.m. There will be a $20 fee for each child to compete.
Rodeo tickets are $10 at the gate with a portion of all funds being used to pay for reading programs, purchasing school supplies, helping fund the senior trip and purchasing graduation supplies for students in Ponce de Leon.
Vortex Spring Rodeo is sanctioned by the Professional Cowboy Association (PCA) and was voted in 2021 as the PCA’s Best New Rodeo.
Dockery said many worked behind the scenes to help make the rodeo a reality, and she plans to keep presenting the event for years to come.
“We’d like to thank Let ‘Em Buck Productions and our rodeo producer Jim Jenkins for going above and beyond the call of duty to help us produce the best rodeo yet,” she said. “We look forward to many more to come. Let’s grow this.”
Staff Report 
NATALIE HOLTON 
Hannah Collins 