Nothing defines Western Week in 100 Mile House quite like the Little Britches Rodeo.
Set to go on May 21, it’s one of the prime events hosted locally on the Victoria Day long weekend.
This year marks the 45th anniversary for the day-long youth rodeo. It’s being hosted by the 100 Mile and District Outriders Club and takes place at the Outriders grounds behind the South Cariboo Rec. Centre. Start time is 9 a.m.
Junior competitors will be the first out of the chutes that day, with steer riding, stake race, goat tail tying and dummy roping scheduled for the boys and barrel racing, pole bending, goat tail tying and dummy roping for the girls.
Juniors are expected to wrap it up by about 11:30 a.m., after-which the grand entry will take place with the Cariboo Cowgirls Drill Team. They’re a talented group of riders who come from Williams Lake, 150 Mile, Lac la Hache and 100 Mile House and area.
One thing missing from the grand entry this year will be Outriders Club Ambassador and first runner-up. Denise Little, Outriders vice-president notes there was no interest in the youth contest this year from local riders or from volunteers who are needed to run it.
Right after the grand entry, the first round of wild and wooly mutton busting will be run. It’s sheep riding for boys and girls six years of age and under who are less than 50 pounds (22.7 kg). Entries for the event well be taken on the day of the rodeo and the fee is $5. Participants are urged to bring their own helmets.
Following Mutton Busting, there’s a fun, free event for the older children, with the greased pig contest.
The afternoon will see the senior events held, with many of the same events from the morning, along with calf tying, cow riding, breakaway roping and goat tying. During an afternoon break, the second round of mutton busting will be held as well.
The rodeo is sanctioned this year by the BC Little Britches Rodeo Association (BCLBRA), whereas last year, it wasn’t, and resulted in low entry numbers.
Little says sanctioning is an added draw for competitors who collect points on the BCLBRA circuit.
“It’s was important to have that sanction in place because competitors will make an added effort to come to ours if it’s sanctioned. There are many rodeos taking place that May long weekend.”
In addition to points, riders will be competing for prize saddles, breast collars, buckles and ribbons to sixth place, which will be awarded at the end of the day.
The rodeo is expected to wrap up between 4:30 and 6:30 p.m.
