Rodeo
The highly popular competitive sport, rodeo continues to fascinate millions around the world. Rodeo has developed into a mainstream sport especially in Australia, South America, Canada, Spain, Mexico and the US. Every year, thousands of cowboys and cowgirls compete in exciting, edge of the seat matches in various athletic fields. Rodeo matches involve live stock animals such as bulls, horses and goats. There are several rodeo shows and festivals organized around the world by various organizations each year. However, the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association is the highest governing body of the sport worldwide.
The Origin
Based on the skills required of the working cowboys during the mid-nineteenth century, rodeo started in 1872. By 1888, the first professional rodeo was held in Prescott, Arizona, during which the audiences were charged admission fee and winners were awarded trophies. In the start of twentieth century, rodeo became popular entertainment sports for the public and became known as the ‘Wild West Show’. The events often featured charismatic stars like Annie Oaklye and Buffalo Bill Cody. By 1910, there were several major rodeo establishments developed in the US such as Cheyenne Frontier Days, Pendleton Round Up and Calgary Stampede.
Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association
In 1936, a protest by a group of cowboys led towards the creation of Cowboys’ Turtle Association. In 1975, the organization became the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and has since then become the highest governing body in rodeo sports. Headquartered in Colorado Springs, the PRCA organizes and supervises ten championship and eight regular events that include competitions such as bull riding, barrel racing, steer wrestling, team roping and bareback riding. The PRCA also organizes the prestigious rodeo championship event, ‘Wrangler National Finals Rodeo’ that features top cowboys and participants from around the world. The America’s premier rodeo championship event is held over a period of ten days in Las Vegas at the Thomas & Mack Center. The event is televised live on the Great American Country channel.
Live Rodeo Experience
Rodeo shows continue to allure thousands of fans every year. The events have grown in number as well as sizes over the years. Now, many rodeo festivals feature traditional competitions as well as musical concerts, carnival, beauty pageants, horse shows and agriculture fair. In the US, Rodeo tickets are always a catch for the audiences.
This season, a number of large and celebrated rodeo festivals will once again be held in the US including Professional Roughstock Rodeo, NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity, National Black Rodeo Finals and Freestyle Bullfights. Other than that, one of the country’s largest rodeo shows, the Grand National Rodeo, will be held in Daly City’s Cow Palace. So make sure to catch all the exciting action and engaging festivities at the upcoming rodeo festival to enjoy a memorable experience with your friends and family.