It’s once again time to kick up dirt at a Foothills late-summer favourite.
Rodeo royalty will be vying for coveted late season points on the circuit as the Okotoks Pro Rodeo returns for its fifth year at the famed Millarville Racetrack, from Aug. 26-28.
“We’re looking forward to having another outstanding year this year,” said Okotoks Pro Rodeo marketing director Trevor Reidy. “Most of the other rodeos have done very well and we’re hoping to do it equally as well.”
After a hiatus in 2020, last year’s event was a reminder for fans of the sport on what was missed with tremendous feedback and momentum for rodeo coming out of the 2021 competition.
“Everybody was really excited to be outside and be able to interact with everyone,” Reidy said. “Compared to that year before everyone was really excited because people are social and like to get out and mix with other people.
“It was gratifying for us and really heartening to be able to see everybody go out and enjoy themselves and have a good time.
‘”We had really good attendance and hopefully we’re going to copy that same attendance level this year.”
On top of the regular events of bareback, saddle bronc, barrel racing, team roping, tie-down roping, bull riding and steer wrestling, the ladies breakaway roping will also be on display along with novice events.
Kid-friendly events, including the dummy roping event, are also on the docket, along with familiar favourites mutton bustin’ and wild pony races, both of which had spots booked up in short order.
Local competitors have a habit of taking advantage of hometown crowds at the rodeo as evidenced last year when Steele DePaoli claimed a pair of first place finishes in team and tie-down roping and Lisa Zachoda navigated the cloverleaf pattern to a winner’s cheque in the barrel racing event.
There’s a slight change to draw times this year with the Friday and Saturday shows getting underway at 6 p.m. and Sunday performance at 2 p.m., as a means to better facilitate for the athletes a busy weekend on the rodeo circuit with shows also in Taber and Lethbridge.
The Saturday following the rodeo will bring the cabaret stage outdoors for attendees to put on their dancing boots inside the infield rodeo grounds with a DJ spinning tunes.
“We thought we would give it a shot outside with a dance in the dirt,” Reidy said.
Tickets can be purchased through eventbrite.ca with Okotoks Pro Rodeo entered in the search bar. Tickets can also be purchased on site.
For more information, visit okotoksprorodeo.com.
Local competitors
Friday draw:
Stacy Cornet (Brant) tie-down roping; Stacy Cornet (Brant) and Stan Schlosser, team roping; Emily Pugsley (Okotoks) ladies breakaway roping; Colt Smith (Aldersyde), saddle bronc,
Saturday draw:
Jonnh Webb (Okotoks) steer wrestling; Kylie Whiteside (Longview) barrel racing; Bradi Whiteside (Longview) barrel racing; Steele DePaoli (Longview) and Riley Warren, team roping; Stacy Cornet (Brant) and Sawyer Eirikson (Okotoks) team roping and saddle bronc; Kylie Whiteside (Longview) ladies breakaway roping; Bradi Whiteside (Longview) ladies breakaway roping.
Saturday slack (11 a.m.):
Steele DePaoli (Longview) tie-down roping; Kyle Foden (Okotoks) tie-down roping; Kyle Foden (Okotoks) tie-down roping; Harley Cole (Okotoks) steer wrestling; Coleman Kohorst (Okotoks) steer wrestling; Jenna O'Reilly (Millarville) barrel racing; Toni Dixon (Millarville) barrel racing; Lisa Zachoda (Okotoks), barrel racing, Lynsey Miller (Okotoks) barrel racing and ladies breakaway roping; Suzanne DePaoli (Longview) barrel racing; Bobbi June Radford (DeWinton) barrel racing; Jerri Duce (Okotoks) barrel racing; Amy Naismith (Brant) barrel racing; Katie Jackson (Millarville) barrel racing; Don DePaoli (Longview) team roping; Olivia Walker (Okotoks) ladies breakaway roping.
Sunday draw:
Brock Radford (DeWinton) bull riding; Sam Kelts (Stavely) saddle bronc; Lucas Macza (High River) saddle bronc.
