By: Heather Ilsley
There’s no question that the rodeo is one of the more popular things to do during Stampede. It’s pretty exciting to watch the cowboys/cowgirls compete against the clock and each other. I decided to check it out and brought a friend who has never seen the rodeo before.
His first question was “Are these guys crazy?” And, to be honest, sometimes I think they are! Rodeo is a sport with a high injury rate and you’ve got to be pretty brave to get on the back of a bucking horse, hang on for dear life with one hand, all while making sure your technique and style is impressing the judges.
Depending on the sport, sometimes I find myself cheering for the animals (steer wrestling), sometimes I’m cheering for the cowboys (bull-riding). With barrel-racing, I’m cheering for both the cowgirl and the horse as I think it’s amazing how they have to work together and trust each other in order to do well.
My favorite event is bull-riding. Those bulls are 2000lbs of pure muscle and I’m sure to a cowboy, those 8 seconds feel like an eternity.
Images from the Calgary Stampede on Flickr
If you’ve never been to the rodeo before, here are some things to keep in mind.
- The rodeo lasts about 2.5 hours and depending where your seats are, you’ll want to make sure you’re protected from the sun (or the rain!)
- Bring your own water bottle. Not only is it good for the environment, but you’ll save yourself money that can be spent on other things…mini donuts for example!
- Dress western! Not only will you fit in with everyone else there, but you’ll really get into the cowboy spirit.
Enjoy the rodeo and yeehaw!!
