Riding in style: Speed, danger dazzle fans

Rodeo performers hope to inspire more girls to sport

leonnah@standard-democrat.com

SIKESTON -- It's dangerous, fast and flashy, but trick and roman riding also brings another level of athleticism and fun to the rodeo.

Just ask Jessica Blair and Madison MacDonald who are performing each night at this week's Sikeston Jaycees Bootheel Rodeo.

Blair, a trick and Roman rider, and MacDonald, a trick rider, travel across the United States performing stunts with their horses in rodeos and equine events.

"It combines an element of danger with glamour and fun," Blair said of the sport "You've got flashy girls on big, fast, flashy horses but doing dangerous stuff."

Roman riding is riding two horses, one foot on each horse.

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