Tucked Away Arena to host first rodeo

With the perfect name for its location off a country road, the newly opened Tucked Away Arena will host its first-ever rodeo on Saturday, Aug. 21 at 7 p.m. and is IPRA and APRA sanctioned.

The events at the rodeo will be bull riding, saddle bronc, bareback bronc, team roping, steer wrestling, tie-down roping, barrel racing and breakaway roping. Mutton busting may be added. Follow the arena’s Facebook page, Tucked Away Arena, for the latest information.

The Diamond J Ranch & Rodeo Company of Oak Hill, Ohio will provide the stock, announcement and staff for the event.

For rodeo organizers Jeanine and Mike Smitley of Uhrichsville, it was something they have been considering for a long time but are now making a reality. COVID-19 spurred them into action.

“Last year with everything, a lot of the contractors were having a really hard time staying afloat,” Jeanine Smitley said.

Rodeo participants were hurt too as many rodeos were canceled. Mike Smitley and his son, Cooper, learned this firsthand when Cooper competed in the National High School Rodeo finals last year in Oklahoma.

The only places most rodeos could be held were private facilities, so the Smitleys decided to build an arena on their farm.

“We wanted to try to give back. We had planned on trying to do it earlier than what we have, but with everything it's a lot,” Jeanine Smitley said. “People don't realize how much it takes to put it all together.”

They also had trouble with the delivery of the 150-by-250-foot arena fencing. It took three weeks before a truck could be found to haul the materials to Ohio.

Though rodeos are considered more of a western sport, more of the events are now being held in the eastern part of the United States, and the Smitleys want to help bring more rodeos to the area.

“This is actually a full rodeo, and it will have all of the events,” Jeanine Smitley said.

The arena is centered at the bottom of a wide hill, so spectators are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets to get comfortable while watching the event. There will be a number of food options available including Kelly’s Lemonade, a barbecue food truck, and hamburgers and hot dogs. The Rush Township Volunteer Fire Department will serve chicken dinners as a fundraiser for the department.

Cooper Smitley, who is taking high school courses online so he can compete in rodeos, competed again this year at the National High School Rodeo finals in Nebraska in tie-down roping, steer wrestling and team roping.

Cooper Smitley’s been busy with rodeos this year.

“When he gets back, he is actually going to be going on the road to compete in some IPRA rodeos with another fellow that we know,” Jeanine Smitley said.

Of course, Cooper Smitley will be right at home, literally, as he competes at the Tucked Away Arena rodeo. Jeanine Smitley plans to compete too in barrel racing.

The rodeo would not be possible without sponsors, and more are needed. Anyone interested can email 3turnshome74@gmail.com or call 330-428-0043 for more information on sponsorship. Different levels of sponsorship are available.

At press time Sarchione Ford of Waynesburg had joined as an event and truck sponsor, and American Family Insurance is an event sponsor. Rough stock chute sponsors are Riverland Arena and Unkefer Equipment.

Admission to the event is $15 for adults, $7 for youth and free for under 5.

There may be additional events scheduled the weekend of the rodeo. Check the Tucked Away Arena Facebook page for up-to-date information.

Jeanine Smitley thinks the size of the arena will attract a lot of attention as some rodeos are held in smaller pens.

“It's family-oriented, and we're hoping that everyone has fun and it goes over well,” Jeanine Smitley said. “We're just getting our feet wet, and if everything goes well, then we'll have more next year.”

The arena also will be available to rent for horse shows and other events. It is located at 10356 Edwards Ridge Road in Uhrichsville.