Retired Pike County Circuit Clerk Brenda Peacock is the 2019 Pike County Cattlemen’s Mechanical Bull Riding Champion.

Peacock claimed the title Friday morning at the Pike County Cattlemen’s annual Mechanical Bull Riding Competition at Santa Fe Cattle Company.

“I rode in on my truck this morning scared to death and now I’m a bull riding champion,” Peacock told the cheering crowd, perhaps, intentionally leaving out “mechanical.”

But, bull in the flesh or not, Peacock is a bull riding champion. Peacock scored 70 points — none of those style points—to unseat James Ketchum, the 2018 mechanical bull riding champion and top Alvie Walker, from the Cowboy Church, with 69 points and WTBF’s Ray Crosby with 68 points.

Juanita Garretto from West Chitlin’ Branch, Nevada “showed out” and was a shoo-in for the congeniality award.

Garrento flew in from Nevada just to compete in the mechanical bull ride competition.

“I had a little trouble mounting the bull due to jet lag,” Garrento said. “And, I had a little trouble staying on the bull due to all that bucking and jarring. Next time, I’ll keep my cowboy boots on.”

Ed Whatley said this year’s Mechanical Bull Riding Competition was one of the most highly contested.

“It was close from start to finish – for those who finished the ride,” Whatley said. “The scores were all close, within few points. Mike Roberson from Tennessee and Eddie Adams from Lafayette are professional judges and they said they had never seen such bull riding.”

Whatley congratulated all the riders on “great rides,” including Jody Bass, Morgan Pound, Michael Bunn, James Ketchum, Christian Crosby, Bo Simmons and Breanna Jewel, Tawnia Visger and all the other employees at Santa Fe.

“The Pike County Cattlemen thank all of those who came out to ride and those who came to support the bull riders,” Whatley said. “And, a special thanks to Santa Fe for hosting the mechanical bull ride each year. It’s a great kick-off event for the Pike County Cattlemen’s Rodeo.”

The Pike County Cattlemen’s 27th Annual NCPRA Rodeo opened last night at Cattleman Park and continues tonight beginning at 5 p.m. with the Kids’ Western Festival that features mutton bustin’, wagon rides, calf scramble and stick horse racing. The gates for the festival will open at 4 p.m.

Tonight’s rodeo gets underway at 7:30 p.m. Advance tickets are $10 and are available at Walker’s Wester Wear, Piggly Wiggly locations and Banks Buy Rite. Tickets at the door are $12. Ages 12 and under are admitted free when accompanied by an adult.