The story of the 45th Annual Phillips Championship Rodeo to be held at the Phillips Ranch June 21-22, 2024 is more than a story about horses, bulls, riders and stunts. The story would have to involve the beginning of the rodeo thirty one years ago on the Phillips Ranch east of Resaca, GA. In 1980 Larry Phillips first exposed North Georgia to the skills, thrills, chills and dangers displayed by tal
ented cowboys and cowgirls. The rodeo story did not end. A remarkable aspect of the story is that the rodeo began as a family affair and it continues as such. Larry’s son, Danny, along with his wife Bridgett and their two daughters Danielle and Sage, kept the event alive. Beginning in 2001, the rodeo was renamed the Larry Phillips Memorial Championship Rodeo. Worthy of attention is Larry Phillips motive for founding the rodeo. Phillips had grown up in a time with Gene Autry, Roy Rogers, Western shows on TV and the Saturday cowboy movies at the old Gem Theater. Also, people of his age had grown up on the farm with cows, mules, horses and other animals. That era was fading from exposure to a younger generation. Larry wanted to preserve for a younger generation a flavor and heritage of the reality of life around the horses and bulls of just a few generations back. Last year Phillips Rodeo decided to help spread the word about breast cancer awareness with the “Tough Enough To Wear Pink” theme. All fans are asked to wear pink to the rodeo in an effort to raise awareness about breast cancer. The goal is to “Pink-Out” the rodeo area. Bridgett Phillips has successfully fought a battle with the disease undergoing surgery and treatment requiring a near year-long stay in her native state of Oklahoma.. For those “Tough Enough To Wear Pink,” head to Resaca and go east on Hwy. 136, turn left on Mt. Zion road and travel one mile to the arena on the right at Phillips Ranch as the 45th year tradition continues.
