Moore Cattle Company is continuing its mission to serve the young people of Tate County by providing bulls and lessons to riders.
Jud and Amber Moore began Moore Cattle Company in 2020, with their children Wesley, 17; Conner, 13; and Katie Lauren, 11.
Beginning with only two mini bulls for Conner to start his journey learning to ride them, the company soon grew. They were invited to practice at the Northwest Mississippi Community College’s arena with Justin Dickerson, owner of Buckwild Bucking Stock. Also helping, were Bud Young and then NWCC’s Rodeo Coach Shelli Benton.
“If it wasn’t for Justin and Kelsey, we would not be where we are today,” said Amber Moore. “They got us started and we are a team.”
After two practices, the Moores began hosting other kids come to practice with their own children.
“We had more and more come each time we practiced. We got to having so much interest in junior bull riding that we had to begin having separate practices from BuckWild,” said Amber. “Next thing we knew, we had 25-30 kids, teens, and beginner adults coming to learn how to ride bulls, get on bulls or just see if it was for them.”
The Moores have hosted over 150 riders since 2020 and consistently serve riders aged nine to 17, but the lessons didn’t stop at bull riding.
“Local teenagers, such as Wesley Moore started working the back pens, recruited and taught Brandon Shirley, Lee Hatton, Hayden Alsup and Holden Gillespie to come and help work back pens, latches and stripping chutes,” Amber said. “It takes a lot of help to put on practices and rodeos.”
Jud used his time to work with the kids teaching how to ride, put ropes, flanks and more on the bulls. He even recruited more help from Tate County locals Bud Young and Davy Ross. “It’s a lot when you have 20-30 kids wanting to get on bulls and most don’t have gear or any clue about bull riding. So having Jud, Davy, Bud, and Justin together to get it done,” said Amber. The Moores mentored more than just in the world of bull riding.
“It’s not just about the bulls though. These practices give us the opportunity to bring in preachers and leaders to speak to the riders, and parents, about the Gospel of Jesus Christ, struggles in life, etc.,” said Amber. “The kids also learn how to tie bull ropes, flank, work with cattle, teamwork, supporting each other and build each other up. Lifelong friendships are made. Layton Campbell, 17, of Independence, one of the very first boys to start riding with us, had an injury and couldn’t ride for a while, he continued to come and support the others, he learned to flank bulls, now he travels to rodeos with us and flanks our bulls. The cowboys learn more than just riding bulls, it’s about hearing God’s word, respect, determination, facing fears, encouraging others, responsibility, and teamwork.”
Amber Moore said they had many people to thank for their assistance over the years.
“Jake England and Jacorey Golden are bull fighters for Buckwild Bucking Stock. They come to practices and bull fight and give cowboy protection for us. They will have 30-50 outs per night for cowboy protection for these youth and adults who come to learn about bull riding,” she said. “Our son, Wesley, a Junior at Strayhorn High School, has started learning cowboy protection from them. They are more like family now. They all are so uplifting and encouraging to all the kids and a huge help to us.”
The Moores also said Harold and Doris Shaw have been supportive of the service by opening their arena for the practices.
The Moores have once again partnered with the Dickersons of Buckwild Bucking Stock to form a charity event held at NWCC’s arena. “Bucking Around the Christmas Tree” accepts donations of food and toys in place of an admission price. The donations are given to local churches and charity organizations such as Hope Ministries of Senatobia, Grace Place of Batesville, Healing Hearts Child Advocacy Center of Southaven, and other organizations providing services to needy families in the surrounding area.
The Moores said Buckwild hosts Sunday Fundays in Como throughout the year. Some of the Junior and Senior riders are there and participating in the event.
Additionally, Moore Cattle Company has provided the Junior bulls for NWCC’s Ranger Rodeo for three years. The college has featured them as the “Future of Rodeo”.
The Moores will also be at the upcoming Tate County Fair with their Junior riders. The rodeo events at the fair are set for June 16 and 17.
In September, Moore Cattle Company Junior Bucking Stock will host its second bull riding school in North Mississippi. Called “Riding On Faith”, World Champion bull rider Cody Custer and Bud Young will assist and teach at the event.
Conner Moore heads to Nationals
The Moore’s youngest son, Conner Moore, 13 has also earned a name for himself in the world of bull riding by qualifying for the 2023 National Little Britches Competition and the National Junior High Finalists Rodeo.
A student at Strayhorn Junior High School, he is also active in football, soccer, and National Beta Club.
Conner began his journey at only seven years old when he won his first buckle at NWCC’s Rodeo Mutton Bustin event in 2016.
In 2021, Conner was named the Bull-A-Rama Junior Bull Riding Champion and was designated as Cody Custer Bull Riding School’s Top Hand.
For the 2022-2023 season, Conner was named the TN River Little Britches Rodeo Association Jr Bull Riding Champion, TN River Little Britches Rodeo Association Bareback Steer Riding Champion, TN Jr High Rodeo Association/CINCH Bull Riding Champion, and TN Jr High Rodeo Association/CINCH Bareback Steer Riding Reserve Champion.
Conner’s latest achievement has been being named a Qualifier in bull riding and bareback steer riding for the National Jr High Rodeo Association/CINCH Competition and the National Little Britches Rodeo.
Moore Cattle Company has helped other successful young riders who had their start practicing with the company.
Taylor Aldridge, of Senatobia, won third place in the 2022-2023 TN Jr High Rodeo Association/CINCH State Finals.
Jayden Jackson, 17, of Independence, took Reserve Champion in Senior bull riding for the 2022/2023 season of TN River Little Britches Rodeo Association. He is also a 2023 National Little Britches Qualifier.
Brayden Smith, 15, of Hernando, was a 2021/2022 TN Jr High CINCH Finals Contestant. Additionally, Smith won third place in the 2022/2023 TN River Little Britches Rodeo Association SR Bull Riding. He is also a 2023 National Little Britches Qualifier.
Ethan Lunceford, 16, of Senatobia placed fourth in the 2022/2023 TN River Little Britches Rodeo Association SR Bull Riding.
Battle Hamrick, 10, of Senatobia was named the 2022/2023 TN River Little Britches Rodeo Association Jr Bull Riding Reserve Champion.
The National Little Britches Rodeo will be held in Guthrie, Okla., July 2-8. for more information visit www.nlbra.com.
The qualifiers will head to Perry, GA June 18-24, to compete at the 18th annual National Junior High Finals Rodeo (NJHFR).
According to a release from NJHFR, the event features roughly 1,200 contestants from 43 U.S. States, five Canadian Provinces, Australia, and Mexico, the NJHFR is the world’s largest junior high rodeo. In addition to competing for more than $80,000 in prizes, NJHFR contestants will also be competing for more than $200,000 in college scholarships and the chance to be named a National Junior High Finals Rodeo World Champion. To earn this title, contestants must finish in the top 20- based on their combined times/scores in the first two go-rounds to advance to Saturday evening’s final round. World champions will then be determined based on their three go-round combined times/scores. Added money for the optional jackpot has increased to $100,000 and is available to everyone at finals who enters the jackpot in their event.
The Saturday championship performances will be televised nationally as a part of the CINCH High School Rodeo Tour telecast series on RFD-TV. Additionally, broadcasts of all NJHFR performances will air on: www.cowboychannelplus.com/ . Performance times are 7 p.m. on June 18, and 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. each day following.
To follow Conner and the other local Tate County boys, visit the NJHFR at www.NHSRA.com daily for complete results.
