Thanks to a generous donation of 20 acres by the Micheaux “Solana Ranch” family, the Williamson County Sheriff’s Posse will have a new site on which they can build a rodeo arena and move all their operations. The first of many future rodeos was held in a temporary arena June 28-29, and delighted a sell-out crowd with dozens of cowboy events and entertainers.
2019 Sweetheart Briana Lane 
Veteran Clown Leon Coffee 
Mason (10) awaits the action 
Drill Team Captain Jason Woods 
Until 2018, they held the rodeo at the San Gabriel arena in Georgetown. Although the decision to close the arena there was unpopular with some, WCSP received a resounding “Welcome to Jarrell!” at this year’s event. Regardless of location, there is great history in the WCSP. The Posse was formed in 1943, and during WWII, the WCSP members helped out the Williamson County Sheriff’s office as many of the men were off at war.
As the years moved on and the WCSP was not needed as much to support the Williamson County Sheriff’s Department, the direction of the Posse changed and they now facilitate community events year-round.
The rodeo includes open riding events, including mutton busting events for youngsters who want to get a taste of the arena.
Sean Kampmeier is a former rodeo rider and provided judging for the Jarrell event. He explained a bit about the lifestyle and some of its key players. “Bulls are your typical athletes,” Kampmeier says. “When you get them in their environment it is all about business; they don’t want to be bothered so they can do their thing. When you get them home and they are in their own environment, you can walk up and pet them. Like a K-9 dog, he’s a pet at home, but when the officer puts on the uniform, it’s game time.”
Kampmeier is considering coming back into the arena as a competitor. At 39, he is nearly ready for the ‘senior’ tour (over 40) despite many broken bones and being temporarily paralyzed. “On both sides of the fence, this is a family. Maybe I’m just a little nuttier than most, but the rodeo is different from every other sport. When I finish a ride, thrown or not, I get back on that gate or in the chute and help my buddies out. The camaraderie is unique. You want to win, but we’re all here pulling each others’ ropes and telling each other ‘You better win this one!’ Basically, it beats a day job and I’m good at it.”
The Sheriff’s Posse Rodeo will be back again next year in the fourth week of June.
