By RAY QUIROGA
publsiher@sbnewspaper.com
RIO HONDO—A newly formed organization is hoping to provide area youth an opportunity to shine in the rodeo arena.
The Rio Hondo Youth Ropers’ & Riders’ Rodeo Club was established in 2022 and had its first meeting on Jan. 18 at Taqueria Rio Hondo, attracting no less than 40 participants.
The turnout served to reinforce what co-organizer and club administrator Juan “JP” Padilla believed all along – that there’s passion for rodeo sports in the Valley and a need for this organization to provide guidance and opportunities for Valley youth to thrive in rodeo events.
Padilla said that since its inception, the club has drawn members from Los Fresnos, San Benito, Harlingen, Santa Rosa, Pharr and Raymondville as well as the surrounding Rio Hondo area.
The group’s efforts are already bearing fruit as a number of its youth members have won competition buckles.
In fact, the day the News caught up with volunteers at a barbeque fundraiser held at the Mike’s Supermarket parking lot in Rio Hondo, the group was rallying around five young ladies, Abby Ortega, Kristella Padilla, Kaitlyn Padilla, Klarissa Padilla, and Jenna Avalos, who are vying to compete at the San Antonio Youth Rodeo to be held at the Freeman Coliseum Feb. 20-22.
The young cowgirls are all looking to compete at the Alamo City youth rodeo in the barrel racing and other competitions. On this day, in fact, the young ladies were preparing to exit the fund raising event and head to Mercedes to compete there.
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