New Rodeo Company Whippoorwill Impresses Jersey County Fair Audience

Chris Rhodes, Reporter

Jul 11, 2025 4:21 PM Jul 14, 2025 9:07 AM

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JERSEYVILLE — The Jersey County Fair rodeo on Thursday night, July 10, 2025, drew one of the largest crowds in recent memory, according to Phil Ringhausen of the fair. The event nearly reached a sellout.

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This year’s rodeo featured Whippoorwill, a new rodeo company brought in to elevate the quality of the show.

Whippoorwill Rodeo of Macedonia, Illinois, is owned and operated by past, present, and future rodeo champions. With over 25 years of rodeo experience on both sides of the arena as rodeo contestants & stock contractor’s the company's overall mission is to keep the legacy of America’s original extreme sport alive for generations to come. The company's other part of the mission is to preserve the values of Western heritage and the cowboy way of life.

“We had changed rodeo companies not because of any issues, but because we wanted a different grade of show,” Ringhausen said. “They did a phenomenal job with entertainment. Rated No. 1 in the county, they go to a lot of big rodeos and did a great job getting everybody rolling.”

The event included a wide range of participants, notably an abundance of bull riders.

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Ringhausen noted that while bull riding had experienced a lull at times, this year’s show demonstrated renewed energy and competition. “They stepped up our game,” he said.

Whippoorwill, based in the southern region and active in Southern Illinois and Missouri fairs, was previously considered for the Springfield fair but was unavailable.

“The company was very happy, just tickled to death to do a show in Jerseyville,” Ringhausen said. “They did a great job and I think will be happy to come back.”

Rodeo participants competed for points in every event, aiming to advance within the rodeo circuit.

The successful turnout and quality of the show mark a notable moment for the Jersey County Fair’s ongoing efforts to enhance its entertainment offerings.

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