Some of the best bull riders in the South, along with some of the area’s top bucking bulls, will journey Saturday to Selma to compete in the United States of America Bulls and Barrels Bash at the Dallas County Horse Arena.

The event, which begins at 7p.m. at the arena, located off Valley Creek Church Road, will feature bull riding, barrel racing, pole bending and more.

But unlike some area rodeos, Saturday’s competition is Christian-based.

“We decided to start this because so many of these kids who rodeo get involved with drugs or too much drinking,’ co-organizer Pam Boswell said. “They just don’t know how to channel their energy, and we just wanted to show them that you could still ride bulls and love God.”

Boswell said she and her husband, Jimmy, used to travel to Florida so their son could compete in rodeos. Finally, after years of traveling, the two decided to start the United States of America Bulls and Barrels Bash so the people of Selma could enjoy the event without having to travel.

“It’s a family event,” she said. “We want the crowd to come out and enjoy two, two-and-a-half hours of a good show, and let them see that our kids are well behaved, well mannered and good sportsman. We want everyone to just enjoy the show.”

A highlight of the event, presented by the Alabama Youth and Junior Bull Riders Association and the United States of American Bull Riders Association, is expected to be when 17-year-old Erica Zappa rides General Sherman, a 2000 lb. bull that has never been ridden.

Saturday’s rodeo will also feature trick riding by Summer Marks, as well as a clown routine by rodeo clowns Shay and LD.

“We have an average of 70 people per event, so it would be really nice for the community to come out and support these people, and even the older people who are coming to ride,” Boswell said. “Rodeo is almost like a dying art, it seems like, and it would be really nice for the community to come out and get involved and see what it’s all about.”

Saturday’s festivities will carry over to Sunday, as the Boswells plan to host cowboy church at the arena beginning at 11 a.m.

Tickets for the rodeo can be purchased at the gate, beginning at 3 p.m., and are $10 for adults, $5 for school-aged children and free for children under 6.