THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, October 12, 1996 TAG: 9610120270
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ROY A. BAHLS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: 78 lines
A little-known chapter of the American West came alive for more than 30 busloads of area schoolchildren Friday morning.
The occasion was the Bill Pickett Invitational Black Rodeo at Virginia Beach's Princess Anne Park Horse Ring, the first time the national touring rodeo has performed in Hampton Roads.
This was also the first time 7-year-old James Andrews had been to a rodeo, but he had seen a black cowboy before.
``On TV,'' said the second-grader at Providence Elementary School in Virginia Beach.
The students were treated to an abbreviated version of the sights, sounds and pungent smells of a real live rodeo. It featured the high-spirited action of calf roping, barrel racing, bareback riding and bull riding.
There was a calf scramble competition in which about 35 youngsters entered the horse ring and tried to come up with one of the ribbons tied to the tails of three calves, all the while being cheered on by their classmates.
But there was more: A history lesson.
``The history books and movies didn't show many black cowboys,'' said Jesse Guillory, who's been with the rodeo since it began 12 years ago.
``This is teaching people about a forgotten part of the old West and keeping a tradition alive,'' he said.
In the rodeo, Guillory does what he loves most: entertaining the crowd with his horseback riding. Last year, he won the rodeo's ``All Around Cowboy'' award and is leading again in this year's standings.
Children are a large part of why he likes his work. On Friday, he found himself surrounded by them.
``Any time you can do something for children,'' Guillory said, ``it always makes you feel good.''
Freddi Moody, president of the African-American Cultural Council of Virginia Beach, sponsor of this weekend's rodeo, agrees that it is a historical and educational experience.
``We wish to educate people to the accomplishments and contributions that the African-American community has made in this area as well as the nation,'' Moody said.
Moody is also hoping to make the rodeo an annual event.
Friday's rodeo, as well as two more scheduled for today and Sunday, are part of this weekend's African-American '96 Festival of Pride, which is being held in conjunction with the Navy's Fleet Week.
Upwards of 1,500 children from Portsmouth and Virginia Beach elementary to high schools showed up for Friday's rodeo.
Bill Pickett would be proud.
It's been a long time since Pickett, the famous black cowboy of the 1800s, rode the cattle trails of Texas. He would be happy to know that he and his fellow black cowboys have not been forgotten.
In 1971, Pickett became the first and only black named to the National Cowboy Hall of Fame.
As James Andrews left the stands to board his bus, he said he liked the bull riding and watching the crazy clown the best.
Did he learn anything from his first rodeo experience?
``Yes,'' he said.
And what was that?
``I forgot what it was,'' he said.
More rodeo shows: 8 p.m. todayand 3 p.m. Sunday at the Princess Anne Park Horse Ring, Virginia Beach. Tickets: $10 advance, $12.50 at the door, $5 for ages 4 to 12. Active military discount available. 460-3093. To order, call 671-8100.
Other African-American '96 Festival of Pride events:
8:30 a.m. today - African-American Cultural Council of Virginia Beach Unity Breakfast at the Holiday Inn Sunspree, Oceanfront, Virginia Beach. Tickets: $20 advance, $25 at the door, $15 for ages 6 to 12, 460-3093. To order, call 671-8100.
Noon to 7 p.m. today - Gospelfest at the 24th Street Stage, Oceanfront, Virginia Beach. Free. ILLUSTRATION: The Virginian-Pilot
Herman Adams lifts a calf into the air during the calf roping
competition held Friday in Virginia Beach as part of the Bill
Pickett Invitational Black Rodeo. by CNB