By DOUG GRAVES
Ohio Correspondent

SPRINGBORO, Ohio — There’s nothing rural about Springboro. One of the fastest-growing cities in the state, in the second-fastest growing county (Warren), Springboro is fast becoming known for its fast urban sprawl.

But just a few miles southeast of this city, one will find one of the smallest rodeos in southwestern Ohio. Fox Hollow Stables is home to this bi-monthly event, which attracts bull riders and barrel racers from Ohio, Indiana, Michigan and Kentucky. Cowboys (and cowgirls) have congregated at this facility on 22 acres for the past eight years.

“Each year we see more competitors and bigger crowds,” said proprietor Rod Frisby. “We now have more bleachers than we’ve ever had.”

Competitors in the ring have the blue-collar look, but those in the stands are predominately non-farm folk. Oftentimes these city folk try their hand at bull riding.

“There’s a following here from those who know this game and know the rodeo, and they come rain or shine,” Frisby said. “But we get a lot of first-timers as well.”

Nick Glispie of Jeffersonville, Ohio, rode his first bull last weekend, having never been on a mechanical bull in preparation.

“And I don’t even live on a farm,” said Glispie, who resides in the city. “My goal was to give it a try and if I landed on my back, I was going to get back on another bull.”

Glispie didn’t last the eight seconds in his first attempt, but he survived to compete another Saturday night. Blake Hall of Rising Sun, Ind., has been at this sport for two years.

“I’ve been riding horses since I was four,” Hall said. “I got tired of the horses and decided to up the stakes. The lure to all this is going that eight seconds. It’s the best feeling in the world. It’s not the money.”

An entry fee of $45 gives experienced riders a shot at a first prize of $300. But the sport comes with bumps and bruises, as well. Adam Geus of Germantown, Ohio, has been at it for three seasons. He’s suffered dislocated shoulders, a concussion, hyperextended elbows and crushed knees.

Henry Dailey of Hillsboro, Ohio, is an 11-year veteran of the tri-state circuit. Dailey broke his nose twice, as well as three ribs and two toes. He was also the Fox Hollow Summer Series champion in 2003.

Females occasionally try to ride the 1,500-pound animals, but most don’t attempt the sport more than once. Karah Rudolph of Lebanon, Ohio, is a regular rider at this small stable but she was sidelined this season, nursing broken ribs suffered during recent competition.

“I got on a bull named Ol’ Yeller and he got me in the ribs with his horns,” she said. “My mom hates me doing this, with a passion. My dad is supportive, but he doesn’t approve of it.”

Fox Hollow Stables is located at 1909 E. State Route 73 in Waynesville. For information on dates and times of each rodeo, call 513-897-0905.