Southeastern Livestock Exposition Rodeo: Where Tradition Meets Championship Action

A PRCA-sanctioned event celebrating Alabama's rich western heritage

The Heartbeat of Montgomery's Spring Tradition

When the crisp March air settles over Montgomery, Alabama, the unmistakable energy of rodeo season pulses through Garrett Coliseum. The Southeastern Livestock Exposition (SLE) Rodeo, scheduled for March 14-16, 2025, stands as one of the Southeast's premier western sporting events, bringing together top-tier talent, breathtaking competition, and a celebration of agricultural heritage that spans generations.

Now approaching its next thrilling chapter, the SLE Rodeo continues its storied legacy as a cornerstone event for both the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and the Montgomery community. What began as a showcase for the region's agricultural prowess has evolved into three action-packed days where championship rodeo, family entertainment, and western tradition converge.

"This isn't just another stop on the circuit," explains a veteran competitor who's made the SLE Rodeo part of his annual calendar for over a decade. "Montgomery brings something special—the history, the passionate fans, the electric atmosphere inside that coliseum. When you nod your head here, you're part of something bigger than yourself."

Where Champions Are Made

The 2025 edition promises to deliver the caliber of competition that has made the SLE Rodeo a must-attend event. With an impressive $80,000 purse on the line, competitors will push their limits across all seven classic rodeo disciplines:

Bareback Riding - Perhaps rodeo's most physically demanding event, bareback riders grip a simple handhold as they match their strength and technique against the raw power of some of the sport's most athletic bucking horses. Every successful ride is a masterclass in controlled chaos, with cowboys aiming to demonstrate both spurring technique and the ability to withstand bone-jarring impacts for eight seconds.

Steer Wrestling - Known as the "big man's event," steer wrestling showcases incredible timing, strength, and coordination. Last year's leader, Wilbour Collier, set the pace with a blistering 3.9-second run, demonstrating the split-second precision this event demands. Competitors leap from horseback onto a running steer, using technique and leverage to bring the animal to a halt.

Team Roping - The only true team event in rodeo pairs a header and heeler in a synchronized display of horsemanship and roping precision. The lightning-fast coordination between team members often results in successful runs measured in mere seconds, making every movement critical.

Saddle Bronc Riding - Often called rodeo's classic event, saddle bronc riding traces its roots directly to the working ranch skills of breaking horses for cattle work. With its specific saddle, stirrup placement, and rein requirements, this event rewards technical precision and fluid rhythm between horse and rider.

Tie-Down Roping - A showcase of versatility, tie-down roping requires competitors to demonstrate both horseback skills and on-the-ground technique. Last year's leader, Roan Hudson, posted an impressive 8.6-second run, setting a high bar for 2025's competitors.

Barrel Racing - The women of professional rodeo take center stage in barrel racing, where horse and rider navigate a cloverleaf pattern around three barrels at breakneck speeds. With times separated by mere hundredths of a second—as evidenced by last year's tightly packed leaderboard topped by Kristin Hanchey's 14.81-second run—every stride and turn is crucial.

Bull Riding - The grand finale of each performance, bull riding pits cowboy against one ton of twisting, bucking bovine athlete. Often described as "the most dangerous eight seconds in sports," successful rides combine courage, balance, and an almost supernatural ability to anticipate a bull's movements.

More Than Just Competition

While championship rodeo action forms the heart of the SLE Rodeo, the event offers far more than just athletic competition. The Southeastern Livestock Exposition remains true to its agricultural roots with impressive livestock exhibits showcasing the region's finest cattle, swine, sheep, and more. These displays connect urban audiences with the agricultural foundation that continues to support Alabama's economy and way of life.

The opening ceremony alone is worth arriving early, featuring a patriotic tribute that honors military service members and first responders while celebrating America's western heritage. Throughout each performance, world-class specialty acts provide breathtaking entertainment between competitive events, from trick riding demonstrations to carefully choreographed comedy routines that have become fan favorites.

For families, the SLE Rodeo offers numerous kid-friendly activities, including interactive agricultural education stations, western-themed photo opportunities, and the chance to meet rodeo competitors during designated autograph sessions. The vendor marketplace transforms the coliseum concourse into a western shopping destination, featuring everything from handcrafted leather goods and custom western wear to unique jewelry and authentic cowboy hats.

The Stock: Unsung Athletes

Behind every great rodeo stands exceptional livestock, and the SLE Rodeo partners with premier stock contractors to bring championship-caliber animals to Montgomery. Frontier Rodeo, alongside Championship Pro Rodeo and Kyle Irwin, will provide the athletic bucking horses and bulls that give competitors their shot at glory.

"These animals are professional athletes in every sense," notes a senior stock contractor representative. "They receive the best care, nutrition, and training. Many of them know their job better than some of the cowboys, and they take pride in their performance. You'll see some of these same animals at the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas."

The careful selection of quality stock ensures not only spectacular competition but also the humane treatment of animals that are the true stars of the show. Veterinarians remain on-site throughout the event, and strict PRCA guidelines govern all aspects of animal handling.

Securing Your Place in the Action

With the SLE Rodeo's growing popularity, securing tickets early has become increasingly important for fans hoping to witness the action firsthand. Tickets for the 2025 event will go on sale in mid-January, approximately two months before opening night.

Garrett Coliseum's historic venue offers various seating options to accommodate different preferences and budgets. From general admission access to premium reserved seating with optimal views of all the action, options exist for every type of rodeo enthusiast. Families, military members, seniors, and children can typically access special rates, making this world-class sporting event accessible to the widest possible audience.

For those seeking an enhanced experience, VIP packages offer additional benefits that may include premium parking, exclusive entrance options, commemorative merchandise, and access to special areas within the venue. Group packages make the SLE Rodeo an ideal outing for everything from corporate team-building to youth organization field trips, with discounted rates available for qualifying groups.

When tickets become available, fans can purchase them directly through the official SLE Rodeo website or at the Garrett Coliseum box office. To avoid disappointment, early purchase is strongly recommended, particularly for premium seating and weekend performances, which typically sell out well in advance.

Community Impact Beyond the Arena

The significance of the SLE Rodeo extends far beyond three days of competition. The event generates substantial economic impact for Montgomery and surrounding communities, filling hotels, restaurants, and retail establishments with visitors from across the Southeast and beyond.

More importantly, the Southeastern Livestock Exposition's educational mission supports agricultural education and youth development through scholarship programs that help nurture the next generation of agricultural leaders. These initiatives ensure that the values, skills, and knowledge that built America's agricultural foundation continue to thrive in an increasingly urban society.

Local businesses eagerly anticipate the annual influx of rodeo fans, with many establishments offering special promotions and western-themed offerings during rodeo weekend. The community-wide embrace of rodeo culture transforms Montgomery into a celebration of western heritage that welcomes both longtime enthusiasts and curious newcomers.

A Tradition Worth Experiencing

Whether you're a lifelong rodeo fan or considering your first live rodeo experience, the 2025 Southeastern Livestock Exposition Rodeo promises an unforgettable combination of world-class western sports competition, family entertainment, and cultural celebration.

From the thundering hooves of the grand entry to the final buzzer of championship bull riding, every moment offers a connection to both America's western heritage and the contemporary athletic excellence of professional rodeo. The sights, sounds, and even smells of rodeo create a multi-sensory experience unlike any other sporting event—one that continues to captivate new generations while honoring timeless traditions.

Mark your calendars for March 14-16, 2025, and prepare to be part of a Montgomery tradition that showcases the very best of western sports and culture. When the dust settles at the conclusion of the final performance, you'll understand why the SLE Rodeo has earned its reputation as one of the Southeast's premier western events—and why fans return year after year to experience the magic of rodeo in the heart of Alabama.