Many FFA members look forward to attending the World’s Toughest Rodeo, which is held at the Indiana State Fairgrounds Coliseum during national convention each year. The event is made possible thanks, in part, to three generations of the Morehead family, who help organize and host the rodeo for nearly 28,000 FFA members.
The Moreheads, who own and operate Three Hills Rodeo, have been in the rodeo business for 44 years. They raise all of the rodeo’s featured bulls and broncos on their farm in Iowa.
“It’s a niche agricultural market for livestock,” says David Morehead. “You get to keep [the animals] for their whole life.”
Throughout each rodeo, the Moreheads aim to create a unique experience for attendees.
“There’s 12 bareback [riders], 12 saddle broncs and 12 bulls in each performance, ” Morehead says. “At the end, the top two in each discipline come back for a sudden death ride off.”
Since the rodeo sells out fast, the Moreheads decided to include an additional show this year. In the future, the family hopes to continue to bring this convention staple to attendees.
Article edited by newsroom reporter Taleen Hanna.
