Dust off your boots and cowboy hat and head on down to the BCRA Rodeo at the 100 Mile House & District Outriders Grounds behind the South Cariboo Rec. Centre on May 20-21.
This will be the first time in years the rodeo has been sanctioned by the British Columbia Rodeo Association (BCRA).
It’s been 14 or 15 years since we’ve been a BCRA-approved event, says South Cariboo Rodeo president Randy Brodoway.
“This brings us a lot more competition. It’s going to be a great couple of days.”
Holding the BCRA-approved events helps entrants build up their points, as well as the prize money, Brodoway says, adding points accumulated throughout the year help contestants to earn a berth to compete in the Canadian Finals Rodeo held in Edmonton, Alberta.
Competitors from all over the province will be coming to 100 Mile House, he notes, with a few locals competing as well, including Ty Lytton and Dave Atkinson.
Tons of action will keep the audience on the edge their seats, with bull riding, bronc riding, team roping, cow riding, barrels and much more, he says, adding there will also be junior events, such as barrel racing, steer riding and break-away roping.
The bull fighters are Earl Call and Atkinson, and the pickup men are Call, Chad Seelhoff and Leland Jasper.
“The grand entry is by the Wild West Riders from Williams Lake who will bring in the flag and ride during opening the ceremonies.”
Professional rodeo and extreme bull riding announcer Keith Dinwoodie will be offering the running commentary on the action from the ring.
“We are fortunate to have someone of his calibre and credibility. He mostly works in the United States.
“But he loves 100 Mile House and says he is thrilled to be coming here.”
C+ Rodeos of 150 Mile House and Diamond D Rodeo Bulls of 100 Mile House will be supplying the stock.
“It’s exciting to see a BCRA sanctioned event back in 100 Mile House,” says Roy Call who with brother Earl run C+ Rodeos.
“It’s a full rodeo event, it will bring more contestants in and should bring in more spectators and we’re looking forward to this year’s rodeo.”
C+ Rodeos has supplied a number of the rodeos held at 100 Mile House, Brodoway says, adding the local rodeo committee will have more challenges and more work, but the results should be great.
It’s nice to have a hometown rodeo, says Atkinson of Diamond D Rodeo Bulls.
“We’re bringing some great bulls; some were at the PBR [Professional Bull Riders] finals in Las Vegas.
“Maybe our best bull is Formula 51. He was just at the Williams Lake Stampede two years ago and has been at the Las Vegas PBR.”
Atkinson says the upcoming rodeo will have some great rodeo champions participating, including Canadian High-School Rodeo Finals champion Ryan Jasper of Riske Creek.
Admission to the rodeo is $10 for adults, $5 for youth seven to 18 years and seniors, and children six and under get in free.
The grounds open at 11 a.m. with the action starting at 1.
A cowboy church held by Blair Bates of Cowboy Valley Church will be held at 9:30 a.m. on May 20.
