NEW ALBANY, Miss. (WTVA) -- Over 300 people showed up Saturday to take part in the event called "Chasing Cans for Kids."
The riders make it look easy, but it's anything but.
The horse -- along with its rider -- has to be in perfect sync to pass around these barrels without tipping them over.
For these riders, it's something they wouldn't trade for the world.
"I love it. I've been doing it since I was eight. It never gets old," said Rachel Peeler, a Union County 4-H Horse Club member.
"Bonnie is fifteen years old. I've been riding here since I was eight. I started bell racing on her and we've won no telling how many State championships and stuff like that with 4-H, but not here, though," said Nora Cobb, a state champion rider. "We've won a bunch of stuff here. She's a pretty good horse."
There were dozens of other horses with their riders who showed up to compete Saturday as well.
Now, it's the fifth year in a row that the Union County Horse Club has held this event here.
Organizers say the money raised goes to a very good cause.
"It's a lot of work. A lot of families put in a lot. We raise money from a lot of companies they donate every year to raise fifteen hundred," said David Peeker, a 4-H volunteer and also Rachel's dad. "This will be our fifth year to do it. Last year we raised over $5,000."
Peeler hopes they will reach that goal this year as well.
The sport itself appears to be gaining in popularity as evidenced by the different age groups that competed.
"It's a real popular sport. It takes a lot of time," David Peeler continued. "I mean, it's not something like just getting on a horse, pulling him out of a pasture and going. I mean, it's something you practice on three or four days out of a week at least. A lot of people don't understand that, until they actually try to come and do it."
But despite the trials, there are those who will carry on the tradition.
"I ride my only horse by myself. And I do everything that I want to," said Brailey Bryan, a five-year old.
"I think this rodeo is going to be fantastic,"said her cousin Jamie.
The money raised goes to St. Jude Children's Hospital.
Each contestant pays an entry fee to participate.
