Fifth of Top Ten Rodeos

PRCA Top 5/10

National Western Stock Show and Rodeo - Denver, CO

The National Western Stock Show and Rodeo is a fifteen day event that is held in January. This year it is going to be on January 9 - 24, 2010. This event started off as just a stock show and has evolved into something bigger and better with each year. It is now an all around event and has just about everything imaginable to do with horses and livestock. The rodeo part of the weekend is all over the place with different times and days. It starts off with qualifying rounds leading into the rodeo performances themselves. Every performance there is the rodeo and then a feature like mutton bustin, catch a calf contest, or Westernaries. This feature varies from performance to performance and can be matched with any other feature.

Along with the rodeo there is the Mexican Rodeo Extravaganza featuring bull riding, bareback riding, trick roping, mariachi, and the daring Paso de la Muerte or "Death Jump." There are the Wild West Shows patterned after the great Buffalo Bill shows of yesteryear which include a six-horse stagecoach holdup, dance hall girls and a moving tribute to the American Indian. For an elegant evening with horse you may want to check out, An Evening of Dancing Horses. This show is designed to thrill the most discriminating horse enthusiast, the evening will be packed full of formal dressage, freestyle reining, and drill elements. For the corporate spectator a trip to the the Auction of NWSS Junior Livestock Champions just might be what you need for that tax write off you were looking for this year and what a better way than to be helping out one hard working individual. Here the champion livestock and the individuals who raised and handle then are auctioned off to the highest bidder. Or if you are looking for a piece of artwork to hang on your wall then you may want to go take a look at the Coors Western Art show and see if you can not find a piece you like. Other events at the National Western Stock Show are the National Western Grand Prix- a horse jumping event, USEF and Dodge Freestyle Reining, Super Dogs- an amazing event with dogs and their handlers doing obstacle courses and other tricks, the Martin Luther King Jr. African American Heritage Rodeo- tribute to African Americans in rodeo and their accomplishments, catch a calf contest, and a sheep shearing contest. So with all these events and shows you are surely not to be bored in Denver from January 9- 24, 2010. For a complete set of events take a look at the schedule provided on the website.

The official website of the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo is - http://www.nationalwestern.com/


PRA Top 5/10
Strathmore Heritage Days Stampede - Strathmore, AB

Are you tough enough to wear Pink? How about wear pink while running away from 2000 pounds of angry bull? If you want to take your chances against the bulls, call the Strathmore Stampede board of directors and they can sign you up. Running from a bull not your thing? do not worry, the Strathmore Heritage Days has something for everyone! The rodeo starts off half way through the last week in July and the last calf will be roped, the last bull will be bucked that Sunday and the champions will be crowned. World, Canadian and Calgary Stampede champions are among over 400 contestants competing in six major rodeo events including: Saddle Bronc, Bareback, Bull Riding, Calf Roping, Steer Wrestling, and Barrel Racing. They are here trying to make an attempt at being crowned the champion and winning the gold buckle. Many of these top ranked competitors and rodeo stock will also appear at both the Canadian and National Finals Rodeos. Not to long after the dust settles for the day after the rodeo is over the thundering sound of hooves can be heard from the chuckwagons racing around the track. Here money is won and lost heat after heat on different wagons and favorite drivers.

While at the Strathmore Heritage Days Stampede you can be entertained by the Dog and Reptile shows. Or go on over to the Pig Races and Petting Zoo and take a ride on the Monster Truck. During the day to get out of the heat or rain whatever the weather may be like you can go over to the County Fair and Trade Show which is located close to the Daily Farmers market. You can be taken back in time with a walk through the Indian Village or watch the Jousters battle it out horseback. After eating dust all day on Saturday you can wet your whistle with a cold one at the Cabaret with live entertainment and concerts. There is also a livestock show to see how the local producers are doing and a Midway with Interactive Games for the little ones. If you are really adventurous you can actuality join with in the Running of the Bulls, that has actual live bulls like the ones used in Spain. This is both entertaining for the viewer and the participant.

The official website of the Strathmore Heritage Days Stampede is - http://www.strathmorerodeo.com/