Hold on to your hat and be prepared for a great ride when the South Cariboo BCRA Rodeo comes to 100 Mile House at the Outriders Arena, May 19-20.
The amateur/semi-pro event will feature some of the top riders in British Columbia, including Steve Hohmann of Quesnel who will be looking for wins in the bull riding, bareback and bronc riding events.
Charlie Atrill of Langley, and the South Cariboo’s own team roper Ty Lytton are another couple of top cowboys to keep an eye on.
Rough stock competitors can’t have a winning ride without top stock underneath them, and Diamond D Bulls owner Dave Atkinson says he and C Plus Rodeo Stock are bringing some of their best.
He’s expecting a good show from his bull, Formula 51, which has been used at the Professional Bull Riding Finals in Las Vegas and many other major rodeos throughout North America.
Formula’s grandson, Little Heathen, is a promising three-year-old that hasn’t allowed any riders stay on for a full eight-second ride.
Also in the mix are some purebred Mexican fighting bulls, with bloodlines to mean relatives, used in the famous Running of the Bulls, in Pamplona, Spain.
“They’re pretty ornery. When they’re having a bad day, you usually know it.”
The rodeo starts at 1 p.m. both days and the Wild West Riders Drill Team will be there both days for the grand entry. It will be full-on action from there.
There will be a midday break that will feature a foot race across the length of the arena for children and one for adults. Atkinson promises some great prizes for the winners, but he’s keeping it under his hat until after the race.
Around 11 a.m., Atkinson will take spectators for a free tour behind the scenes, and explain how bulls and bucking horses are raised and handled. Look for him in the back pens, or ask Randy Brodoway, South Cariboo Rodeo Association president, how to find him.
Make sure to wear pink on Sunday (May 19) in support of the BCRA Tough Enough to Wear Pink campaign, which will see $1 from every gate admission donated to the fight against breast cancer.
At 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, there is a free cowboy church service in the outdoor arena, which everyone is welcome to attend.
Rodeo admission for adults is $10; seniors and students pay $5 and children under six get in free.
A concession stand and a beer garden will be open both days.
