Professional Cowboy Association hosts Kids Learning Rodeo at Coast Coliseum ahead of finals

BILOXI, Miss. (WLOX) - Biloxi welcomes back the Professional Cowboy Association Rodeo Finals for the 29th year — however, Friday is for the kids.

For some elementary students who showed at the Coast Coliseum, this is their first rodeo.

“We always hope that we can introduce them to the Western lifestyle however we have to do it,” said PCA co-announcer Jeremy Coan. “You know, these kids, this might be the first rodeo they’ve ever witnessed.”

The Kids Learning Rodeo event featured high school cowboys and cowgirls from across the country competing in calf roping, barrel racing and bull riding.

15-year-old bull rider Kolby Wilson has been in the rodeo spotlight since he was 2.

“It’s fun to me, I love it,” said Wilson. “There’s nothing I’d trade for it...because, like, when you ride a bull and you feel like you’re on top of the world.”

“They might not break into the Top 15 against the professional cowboys, but this is their chance to come to Biloxi,” explains Coan. “They get to come here and compete in front of all the great elementary school kids of Biloxi, so this is giving them their moment in the spotlight.”

Some of the elementary school students watching the show might have found a new favorite sport.

“You know, hey, we might see them here in 15 or 20 years as a cowboy,” adds Coan. “Just from being here, they’ve discovered the sport of rodeo.”

The PCA Rodeo comes with a rather rewarding prize pool, with this weekend’s payout eclipsing $150k.

The rodeo runs all weekend, with the final performance happening at 2 p.m. on Sunday.

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