Upcoming Rodeos:
Okotoks, AB ~ September 4-6
Merritt, B.C. ~ September 4-6
McCord, SK ~ September 25-26
Hanna, AB ~ September 25-27
Calgary, AB ~ October 2-4
Saskatoon, SK ~ October 9-11 (counts towards 2010 season)
September 3, 2009
CALGARY, ALTA. – If you want to get in on some of the action at the Okotoks Pro Rodeo this weekend, “arrive early.”
That’s the advice Curtis Geier has for would-be spectators making their way to the Murray Arena at the Okotoks Recreation Centre for any of the performances at the three-day rodeo just south of Calgary, Alta.
“We usually have standing room only,” Geier said, noting the arena, which seats 1,500, fills up fast.
Geier is the rodeo manager for the Okotoks Pro Rodeo Society, and has been for the last two years, although the former bull rider has been involved in helping make the event happen since it first started 18 years ago.
The first performance gets underway Sept. 4 at 7 p.m., with the cowboys and cowgirls of the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association (CPRA) competing in the six major events of saddle bronc riding, bareback riding, bull riding, tie-down roping, steer wrestling and ladies barrel racing, as well as team roping, and try to earn those last few dollars that might help them get to the Canadian Finals Rodeo in November.
“It’s very important to the cowboys to make the Canadian Finals, and there’s lot of guys on the bubble in the bronc riding,” he said, confirming the event has also been sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA).
Also going on this weekend is the Nicola Valley Pro Rodeo in Merritt, B.C., which gets going on Sept. 5. Both performances at the two-day rodeo begin at 1 p.m. and feature the six major events, as well as team roping, novice saddle bronc, novice bareback and boys steer riding.
Please visit www.rodeocanada.com for more details.
