MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2023 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Representative Roberson

House Resolution 48

A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND COMMENDING THE MISSISSIPPI HORSE PARK FOR RECEIVING THE 2022 JUSTIN BOOTS BEST FOOTING AWARD FOR THE SOUTHEASTERN CIRCUIT.

     WHEREAS, set atop the rolling hills, the Mississippi Horse Park is a beautiful 100 acre facility that is located just south of the Mississippi State University (MSU) main campus; and

     WHEREAS, the park, which is a division of the MSU Extension Service, is part of a three part partnership with Mississippi State University, the City of Starkville and Oktibbeha County, and it is dedicated to supporting weekly labs and classes taught through the university, as well as providing unprecedented entertainment and service for exhibitors and spectators, hosting an average of 40 events each year, with over 40,000 people entering its gates each year; and  

     WHEREAS, last year, the Mississippi Horse Park was honored with the prestigious Justin Boots Best Footing Award for the Southeastern Circuit by the Women's Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA) for the 2022 Rotary Rodeo; and

     WHEREAS, since the early 1990s, the WPRA and Justin Brands have honored rodeo committees in each of the 12 circuits with the Justin Best Footing Awards, which recognizes the hard work and time that rodeo committees put into making their ground as consistent and safe as possible for the animal athletes of rodeo; and

     WHEREAS, nine states in the Southeastern Circuit and over 70 rodeos were considered for this award, and in December 2022, Ms. Bricklee Miller, Director of the Mississippi Horse Park, accepted this outstanding honor at the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, Nevada; and

     WHEREAS, this distinguished award is determined by votes from the WPRA membership and circuit directors, and represents the members' voices saying "thank you" to rodeo committees who have gone above and beyond to ensure safe ground conditions, allowing the horsepower in the WPRA to run at an elite level; and

     WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize outstanding Mississippi facilities, especially those such as the Mississippi Horse Park, whose service and dedication to providing safe ground conditions brings honor to the State of Mississippi:

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby recognize and commend the Mississippi Horse Park for receiving the Justin Boots Best Footing Award for the Southeastern Circuit by the Women's Professional Rodeo Association for the 2022 Rotary Rodeo, and extend best wishes for continued success in all its future endeavors.

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the Mississippi Horse Park, and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.