Bronco Girls

Bucking the System

Comments (0) Thursday, Aug 12 2004

SAT 8/14

Mike Gorman

Girls on bulls!

Keep cool by running at night.

Remote-controlled cars are still around * and being raced.

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In a battle of wits, Debi DeHass of the Seminole Tribe Horse Club would slaughter PETA any day. About the ethics of rodeos, she says, "Everyone in this world has a job. If it wasn't for them being bucking bulls, they'd be a hamburger." About kids competing in Saturday's Second Annual Tiffany Doctor Memorial All Girl Rodeo, she says, "I think the danger level is higher for the kids than for the animals, but life is dangerous." Vickie Ulrici of the Davie Rodeo Association agrees, even after her son broke his wrist in two places when he got bucked off a calf at age 10. The All Girl Rodeo allows girls age 6 and under to compete in events like mutton busting, in which girls ride (read: hold on for dear life) wild sheep. Whoever stays on the longest wins. Ulrici admits, "A lot of them are scared at 6 and under to be thrown off a dirty, nasty, woolly sheep. You can get run over." DeHass is more specific. "They can get stepped on, kicked, fell on, bit." This rodeo has had no serious injuries to humans, although DeHass remembers, "I think we had a goat casualty at the last one. Someone's horse ran over a goat." The event takes place at 3 p.m. Saturday at Bergeron Rodeo Grounds, 4271 Davie Rd., Davie. Admission is free. Call 954-961-9694, or visit www.davie-fl.gov. --Karen Dale Wolman

Hot Hoops

Alston's alma mater

FRI 8/13

If you haven't heard of the And 1 Mix Tape Basketball Tour, you're missing out. The brand of playground hoops exhibited by these Generation X-ers is a hybrid of fundamental basketball skills and street cultural pizzazz. The athletes are a hip-hop version of the Harlem Globetrotters, and one of their distinguished alumni is a familiar face to South Floridians. Former Miami Heat point guard Rafer Alston got his start on the Mix Tape Tour. Known as "Skip to My Lou" during his And 1 days, Alston would dazzle fans with his adept dribbling skills and lightning-fast reflexes. He's now a millionaire 29 times over with the Toronto Raptors, and there are dozens of young up-and-comers in waiting poised to become the next roundball rags-to-NBA-riches story. They'll be in action at 7:30 p.m. Friday, August 13, at the American Airlines Arena (601 Biscayne Blvd., Miami). Tickets range from $17 to $52. Call 305-358-5885. --Russ Evans

Moonlight Runnin'

Dashing in the dark

SAT 8/14

August is not the best time to be a runner. If the heat and humidity don't put a stop to your exercise, the incessant on-and-off thunderstorms will. That's why night running is a good idea, and tonight's Midnight Madness 5K Run is a good way to keep fit and hydrated. The event starts and ends at Runner's Edge (3195 N. Federal Hwy., Boca Raton), which is open till midnight for an after-race party. The $1 entry fee gets you a T-shirt, food, and refreshments, granted you don't wuss out halfway through. You'll be timed but not judged, so there's no pressure to compete. The run starts at 9 p.m. Register in the store or at www.active.com. Call 561-361-1950. --Jason Budjinski

Where's the Remote?

SAT 8/14

In light of recent events, you may have forgotten that radio controldoesn't refer only to the FCC's putting a muzzle on shock jocks. It also refers to the radio-controlled cars at the NOPI Race Wars, which take place today and Sunday at Moroso Motorsports Park (17047 Beeline Hwy., Palm Beach Gardens). The tournament is for members of the XMODS Racing League. Anyone age 13 and over with $25 can join in. Call 561-622-1400. --Jason Budjinski