World champion bull rider Cody Teel from Kountze is one of several National Finals Rodeo qualifying cowboys chasing the prize money at the 3rd annual Sabine River Ford Pro Rodeo Friday and Saturday, Feb. 5-6, at T-2 Arena in Orange.

“Man, I don’t know where all these cowboys are coming from,” Chad Havens, event host, said. “We’ve probably got 30% more contestants entered than we ever have.”

The rodeo, held at T-2 Arena, 3810 Old Peveto Road,  runs from 7 p.m. until 10 p.m. both nights.

Pre-sale tickets are $10 at Sabine River Ford, 1601 Green Ave. Tickets will also be available at the gate the nights of the event.

T-2 is a nickname for what is also known as the Tin-Top Arena, because it is covered by a roof. But the structure is open-air, with no walls.

Amie Smith, public relations and marketing manager for Sabine River Ford, says the dealership partnered with T-2 Arena for “this outstanding rodeo event.”

“We like to partner with the community to create some fun things for the community to do. We want to be a part of helping our community have fun,” Smith said.

The dealership is no stranger to sponsoring activities in Orange County.

“We support Ducks Unlimited, all the baseball and softball Little Leagues and every school,” she said. “Also, Meals on Wheels, Red Cross, United Way and Salvation Army.

“Every vehicle you buy from us, we put money back into Orange County. We want you to be able to live here, shop here and have activities to do here.”

The Sabine River Ford Pro Rodeo is sanctioned by the Louisiana Rodeo Cowboys Association, the Cowboy Professional Rodeo Association of Texas and the United Pro Rodeo Association of Dallas.

Youth activities include mutton-busting for children up to 5 years of age and a calf scramble for those under 12. Children should come about 6 p.m. each night to register.

The rodeo program includes barrel racing, saddle bronc riding, bareback bronc riding, bull riding, steer wrestling, tie-down roping and team roping.

Havens, owner of several local businesses and T-2 Arena, has been a rodeo competitor and fan all his life. He was worried about the sport the past few years.

But not anymore.

“I’ve been thinking for several years rodeo was dying out,” he said. “Now it looks like it’s making a big comeback.

“It’s nice to have a sport you can come to where everybody stands for the National Anthem and bows their head for the prayer.”