Get ready to see some roping and riding this weekend at the 50th anniversary of the Little Britches Rodeo at the 100 Mile & District Outriders Club arena.
Young cowboys and cowgirls are all set to compete in barrel racing, steer riding, break away roping, pole bending and a lot of other fun rodeo events on May 21-22, starting at 9 a.m. both days
A clown/goat flag scramble is scheduled during the intermission between junior and senior events both days, says Outriders Club president Denise Little.
Children six years and under have to chase a clown and grab his bandana, and the seven- to nine-year-olds will have to chase a goat.
There is no entry fee, and prizes will be awarded.
The Cariboo Cowgirls Drill Team from Williams Lake will be performing a drill both days just before the seniors events start after lunch.
Folks are invited to bring non-perishable goods on Saturday as a donation to the 100 Mile House Food Bank. Everyone who donates will be given a ticket for the chance to win a gift basket full of goodies, including a 50th anniversary commemorative gift, a gift certificate and more – a value of $200.
Cowboy Church, a tradition at rodeos, will be held on Sunday starting at 7:30 a.m., and will once again take place in the grandstands. Pastor Bruce Wilcox of the Cariboo Presbyterian ministries is the guest speaker this year.
Cariboo Christian Outreach Pastor John Noble has been organizing the cowboy churches for at least the past 15 years. He either has guest speakers or gives the message personally.
This is my first time at the Cowboy Church sharing a message, Wilcox says.
I”m usually in the background playing my guitar.”
Little and Barb Brown are going to show they are “Tough Enough to Wear Pink” on Sunday.
The two ladies will be riding around the arena while carrying pink breast cancer flags after everyone returns from lunch.
Tough Enough to Wear Pink, a song written and performed by Denise’s husband, Sam, will play alongside their performance.
“We’re doing it to bring awareness more than anything,” says Little.
The song was inspired by a bright pink 2008 Ford Mustang that the Littles bought in order to help bring awareness. They have done several fundraisers in the past for breast cancer research using this car.
Spectators are encouraged to wear pink for breast cancer awareness on May 22. One dollar from every gate pass sold will be going towards breast cancer research.
Folks are invited to purchase merchandise commemorating the rodeo’s 50 years with items, such as pens, cups, T-shirts, and there will be samples of jackets for folks to order, Denise notes.
“We’ll have our raffle tickets on sale, too. The draw will be on Sunday at 3 p.m., at the Outriders Arena office. (Raffle prizes: first, 12-foot 2016 Maverick Stock Trailer; second, 43-inch LG TV; and third, a diamond necklace).
“Throughout the weekend, we’ll be tossing free T-shirts into the grandstand for an extra treat for the spectators.”
As if organizing a rodeo isn’t enough for the club members to do, they just finished extending their arena by 30 feet.
“We knew it needed to be done. It was a little short for the dressage and it will be better for roping.
“When we first discussed it, we thought spring would be a good time, but we didn’t realize how fast it came.”
With a little bobcat help and lots of volunteer work, the arena is ready for the upcoming rodeo.
Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for seniors and students, and children six-years-old and younger get in free.
A gymkhana is slated for 10 a.m. at the Outriders Club grounds on May 23; admission is free.
