Rodeo at the Calgary Stampede, AB
Join Cowboys as they Compete with Bulls and Horses in Alberta
Aug 12, 2008
The rodeo events at The Calgary Stampede are thrilling to watch, as cowboys compete to stay on their horses for eight seconds in some of the events. This dance is complicated by bucking broncs, high adrenaline and a screaming crowd. Rivalling in popularity only to the chuckwagon races, the rodeo is a must for visitors to The Calgary Stampede.
The Calgary Stampede
For 10 days every July, Alberta’s host city, Calgary, puts on one of the finest outdoor shows in the world. Cowboys come from all over the globe to compete in the rodeo and chuckwagon races, while visitors from every continent watch the events in awe.
Each night the grandstand show refreshes the audience’s tired feet with acrobatic feats and impressive entertainment. During the day, visitors are treated to amusement park rides, themed days, marching bands and an agricultural activity centre. One thing's for sure: all ages will be busy during their time at The Calgary Stampede.
The Rodeo
Invited to The Calgary Stampede because they’re the top competitors in the world, watching the cowboys gives the crowd a big adrenaline rush every time a rider explodes out of the pen. In the bull riding, saddle bronc and bareback events, the riders have eight seconds to stay on their horses or bulls to qualify, but those bucking broncs can give them a the ride of their lives.
Said Anthony Bello, saddlebronc rider, after his turn: “[The horse] was a little bit of a handful. Like right out of there he wanted to buck, but they’re the kind you want to draw.”
When questioned if he was okay after falling off, he replied, “No, no, it wasn’t [a big fall]. He didn’t get me, the horse didn’t land on me… It could of gotten ugly pretty quick but it worked out. You gotta try not to panic when stuff like that happens.”
The competition is intense, as these cowboys are vying for $1.8 million in total prize money. $15,000 goes out daily in each event and the top prize is $100,000.
When bull rider Brenden Clark competed this year, he ended up re-riding. “I could’ve taken the score and been happy with second, but I don’t work like that. I come to win first every single time.
“If it means taking your score off the board and trying to better [it] by one point, that’s what it takes, you know. I’m disappointed because I probably could have went the easy route out and won $4,000 and put the money in my pocket, but I come to win first every single time.”
It’s a tough sport, but these guys have been doing it for years. As Bello said in his interview, “I know that everyone says ‘Be careful,’ but, it’s not like you’re going to ballet practice.”
The Rodeo happens every day of The Calgary Stampede at 1:30pm. Tickets range in price from $23 to $79 CDN. Contact Travel Alberta (1-800-ALBERTA) for accommodation, travel and transportation assistance and visit the Calgary Stampede website for tickets and information.
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