The scent of dirt, livestock and fried food hangs thick in the spring air. A low buzz of anticipation ripples through the crowd as sights, sounds, and smells collide — marking the start of something special: the 50th anniversary of the Great Southland Stampede Rodeo, hosted by the University of Georgia’s Block and Bridle Club.
Hundreds of students, parents and Athens-Clarke County community members file into their seats, eager for sound of the first chute gate.
Beloved Tradition on UGA’s Campus
Now in its 50th year, the student-run rodeo has become a beloved UGA tradition. Every spring, students countdown the days, drawn by the adrenaline, pageantry — and the unmistakable scent of sawdust and funnel cakes.
Built By Students, Run Like a Business
Unlike most professional rodeos, the Great Southland Stampede Rodeo is entirely student-run. Organized by members of UGA’s Block and Bridle Club — a student organization focused on livestock and agricultural education — the rodeo relies on students to manage every detail, from securing sponsorships and coordinating livestock to marketing, logistics and safety protocols.
“Putting together this rodeo is like running a full-scale business,” said Alyssa Ashurst, this year’s rodeo chairman. “We’re handling sponsorships, event logistics and safety measures — all while being full-time students.”
Balancing academics with the demands of such a large-scale event isn’t easy, Ashurst added, but the payoff is real. Students walk away with hands-on experience in leadership, event planning and crisis management — skills that translate far beyond the arena.
Beyond the Arena: Hospitality and Heart
The three-night event features classic rodeo competitions like bull riding, barrel racing, calf roping and steer wrestling. Contestants travel from across the Southeast to compete, bringing elite rodeo talent to Athens. But for many students, the event is just as much about hospitality as it is about horsepower.
“Hospitality is all about offering a warm greeting and creating a welcoming experience,” said Georgia Gordon, a junior majoring in hospitality and food industry management, who serves as the rodeo’s hospitality chairman. “We want every guest to feel like they’re part of something special.”
And that something special is built entirely by students — from designing T-shirts to coordinating vendor booths to managing weather delays and unpredictable livestock. The challenges are many, but so is the payoff.
“It takes grit, teamwork and a lot of sleepless nights,” Gordon said. “But there’s nothing like seeing it all come together.”
Celebrating Agriculture, Culture and Community
Now in its 50th year, the rodeo has become more than just a student project — it’s a deeply rooted tradition that draws hundreds from across campus and the Athens-Clarke County community. For many, it’s a celebration of Georgia’s agricultural heritage. For others, it’s simply a good time.
The Great Southland Stampede Rodeo is held each spring at the UGA Livestock Arena on South Milledge Avenue. And for those who haven’t yet experienced it, students have one message: come for the smells, stay for the spectacle.
After all, this isn’t UGA’s first rodeo.
Jacob Harper is a third-year journalism and agriculture and environmental science communication major.
Show Comments (0)