Jeff Davis and Cooper Christianson capture a calf during the Lowndes County Benefit Rodeo calf roping event. Christianson was one of three cowboys tied for first place. The rodeo, held at the Lowndes County Arena and Pavilion, located at 485 Tom Rose Road in Columbus, raised funds to benefit United Way of the Golden Triangle Region, Loaves and Fishes of Lowndes County, the Lowndes County Volunteer Fire Department Honor Guard and the Lowndes County Master Gardeners Scholarship Fund. Cadence Harvey/Dispatch Staff

Mackenzie Jordan, left, stands holding a pig alongside Mary Tuggle and Haven Tuggle. The pig received plenty of attention Saturday night at the Lowndes County Benefit Rodeo through being held, petted and chased through the arena by dozens of children aged 6 through 12. Cadence Harvey/Dispatch Staff

Children rush to find gold coins buried in hay Saturday evening at the Lowndes County Benefit Rodeo, held at the Lowndes County Arena and Pavilion. The Gold Rush event was one of several children’s events held before and between rodeo events. Cadence Harvey/Dispatch Staff

Justin Hull, a member of the Lowndes County Benefit Rodeo committee, and Brooks Ferguson, former president of the Lowndes County Cattlemen’s Association, are pictured grilling at the inaugural Lowndes County Benefit Rodeo Saturday evening. Cadence Harvey/Dispatch Staff

Kendall Strickland of Jacksonville, Florida, brushes her horse’s coat Saturday evening ahead of the Lowndes County Benefit Rodeo. Strickland competed in barrel racing Saturday evening, but unfortunately did not take home the prize money. Cadence Harvey/Dispatch Staff

Harley Staggs of Collinwood, Tennessee, presents the American flag at the start of the inaugural Lowndes County Benefit Rodeo. The event, held at the Lowndes County Arena and Pavilion, welcomed hundreds of people of all ages to watch eight rodeo events and participate in plenty of audience challenges. The proceeds of the rodeo benefitted United Way of the Golden Triangle Region, Loaves and Fishes of Lowndes County, the Lowndes County Volunteer Fire Department Honor Guard and the Lowndes County Master Gardeners Scholarship Fund. Cadence Harvey/Dispatch Staff

Rebecca St Martin of Houma, Louisiana, fits hoof boots onto her horse, Checks, Saturday afternoon before the start of the Lowndes County Benefit Rodeo, held at the Lowndes County Arena and Pavilion. Martin, who competed in barrel racing Saturday night, said she and Checks compete in southeastern rodeos nearly every weekend. Cadence Harvey/Dispatch Staff

Alex Miller, 17, scoops ice cream alongside his father, Jonathan Miller, for a long line of customers Saturday evening at the Lowndes County Benefit Rodeo. The Millers made ice cream on site, using an ice cream maker powered by a 1930 John Deere hit and miss engine. Their business is called Miller’s Homemade Scoops. Cadence Harvey/Dispatch Staff

Kelly Watts, 6, sits on her pony Saturday night and waits for the Lowndes County Benefit Rodeo’s calf-roping event to begin. Watts remained in the arena throughout the night, helping to herd wayward horses and steers back into their pens after each event. Watts’ father is Tyler Watts of Emelle, Alabama. Cadence Harvey/Dispatch Staff

Harley Staggs of Collinwood, Tennessee, practices lassoing on her horse, Slick Rick, ahead of the breakaway roping event. Staggs unfortunately did not bring home the prize money, though she and Slick Rick were active throughout the rodeo. Cadence Harvey/Dispatch Staff

Cooper Pearson, 17, holds the arena gate open for cowboys riding in at the Lowndes County Benefit Rodeo Saturday evening. Pearson remained in the arena for the entire rodeo, roping cattle and steering wayward horses back into their pens. Pearson’s father is Will Pearson. Cadence Harvey/Dispatch Staff