Jerry Olson has been entertaining crowds at rodeos since before he was in kindergarten.

He is a third generation rodeo performer. As his father stood atop two horses, an 18-month-old Jerry Olson rode on his father’s shoulders.

“Once you get it in your blood, you just can’t get rid of it,” his wife, Judy Olson, said of the rodeo spirit.

Now 57, Jerry Olson is the featured act for the Georgia National Rodeo, which opened Thursday and continues through Saturday at the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter in Perry.

The rodeo itself, put on by Barnes Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association, features bull riding, bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, tie down roping, barrel racing, steer wrestling and team roping. Barnes PRCA has been putting on rodeos since 1950.

In conjunction with the rodeo, the Georgia National Junior Livestock Show will take place through Saturday in multiple barns and arenas. The show features children showing hogs, steers, heifers and ewes.

Jerry Olson brings with him two horses, a palomino quarter horse named Justin Boots and a miniature horse called Lickity Split.

“Everyone loves Lickity Split,” Judy Olson said.

Justin Boots will do different maneuvers through voice and hand commands by Jerry Olson, all without the aid of a bridle or saddle.

The horse even jumps into the back of a moving truck, driven by Judy Olson.

“They have an amazing rapport with each other,” she said of the pair, though she bemoaned the fact that the horse will not do anything she tells him to unless she has food.

The husband and wife team have been married 31 years. They were both in the rodeo business before they were married and continue to travel together.

Judy Olson said the people in the industry are like family to her.

The camaraderie with the rodeo participants, along with her love of entertaining an audience, is what keeps her going.

“There is a cowboy and a cowgirl in all of us,” she said.

Georgia National Rodeo

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday

Where: Reaves Arena, Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter, Perry

Cost: Friday -- reserved seats are $15 adults, $12 children; reserved box seats are $19 adults, $15 children; Saturday -- reserved seats are $17.50 adults, $13.50 children; reserved box seats are $21.50 adults, $16.50 children

Phone: 987-3247