Inaugural St. Helena Lowcountry Pro Rodeo Debuts at Dempsey Farms

Dempsey Farms hosts debut St. Helena Lowcountry Pro Rodeo

A sold-out crowd is expected at Dempsey Farms this weekend as the inaugural St. Helena Lowcountry Pro Rodeo makes its debut on St. Helena Island. The two-day event, scheduled for Friday, Nov. 6, and Saturday, Nov. 7, brings professional bull riding, barrel racing, and various timed competitions to the 1576 Sea Island Parkway location, according to reports from The Island News and The Island Packet.

The event marks a significant new addition to the local landscape, organized by the family-owned Southern Rodeo Company in partnership with the Dempsey family. Because demand for the inaugural weekend has been so high, organizers have already moved to bring in larger bleachers to accommodate the capacity, The Island News reported.

Professional athletes chase world titles in the arena

This isn’t just a local exhibition; the competition is sanctioned by both the International Professional Rodeo Association and the Southern Rodeo Association. For the athletes involved, the stakes extend far beyond the prize money offered this weekend. Competitors are working through a season-long pursuit of points and earnings to qualify for their respective associations’ finals and vie for a world title, according to Dawn Brooks, a spokesperson for Southern Rodeo Company.

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The program is designed to offer variety for spectators. The schedule typically opens with bareback and saddle bronc riding, followed by steer wrestling, tie-down roping, and breakaway roping for cowgirls. After an intermission, the competition shifts toward barrel racing and team roping, eventually closing with the high-intensity bull riding events. While the format remains consistent each night, different sets of contestants are expected to compete on Friday and Saturday, offering those with two-day tickets a fresh field of riders to watch.

Event logistics and spectator details

For those planning to attend, timing and entry details vary slightly between reports. The Island Packet notes that the rodeo kicks off at 8 p.m. on Nov. 6, while The Island News states that gates open at 5:30 p.m. with competition beginning at 7:30 p.m. both nights. Admission is set at $25, though children aged 4 and younger can enter for free.

Attend St. Helena Island’s first pro rodeo at Dempsey Farms Nov. 6–7 — Photo: islandpacket.com

Beyond the main performance, which lasts between two and 2.5 hours, there are several ways for attendees to engage with the event:

Pre-show activities: Spectators can visit food vendors and shop for boutique merchandise and leather goods.
Post-show interaction: Contestants and rodeo personnel typically gather in the arena after the main event to take photos and allow children to pet the horses.
“Slack” competition: After the main crews reset the arena, additional competition known as “slack” may occur, providing a chance for unscheduled contestants to compete.

A family legacy enters the Lowcountry

While the rodeo is a new fixture for St. Helena Island, the Southern Rodeo Company brings decades of industry experience to the partnership. The company’s roots trace back roughly 30 years to the work of Robin Brooks, the father-in-law of spokesperson Dawn Brooks. The business has since expanded under the involvement of Josh Brooks and Dawn, growing from a small operation to a schedule of approximately 18 rodeos this year.

Pro Rodeo at Hallmark Farms

The partnership with the Dempseys aims to be more than a one-time appearance. The Dempseys have assisted in securing sponsorships and coordinating the various vendors on-site. For the Southern Rodeo Company, the goal is to establish a lasting presence on the island. “When we book rodeos and we go into business with people, we typically don’t like to do a one and done,” Brooks told The Island News.

Whether the event becomes an annual tradition will depend on how this inaugural weekend functions for the community and the organizers alike. For now, the focus remains on the dust and the drive of the competitors looking to turn a weekend in the Lowcountry into a stepping stone toward a world championship.