Rodeo Events
Join the Pro's Out West for exciting rodeo and racing action at the North Saskatchewan River Park! The Rock Pro Rodeo is a CPRA sanctioned rodeo featuring all the major rodeo events.
Rough Stock Events
Sometimes known as the world's shortest workday, a day on the job for a rough stock cowboy is 8 seconds long. The rough stock events consist of bareback, saddle bronc, and bull riding. Cowboys pull their hat down low, grit their teeth and hang on for 8 seconds of bone jarring jumps, spins, and spills. Scoring is based 50% on the cowboy's style and 50% on the performance of the animal. Judges are looking for control and spurring technique from the cowboy. A cowboy can be disqualified for "mark out" (not having the feet over the horse's shoulder until after the first jump out) in the horse events, getting bucked off before the 8 second whistle, or touching the animal, himself, or the equipment with his free hand during the ride. Bull riders are not given the mark out rule.
Timed Events
In the timed events it's a race against the clock to see who can finish fastest. The timed events consist of steer wresting, tie-down roping, barrel racing, and team roping. Steer wrestling and the roping events start from the chutes. The animal is given a head start; and if the horse and rider leave the chute too soon they'll "break the barrier" and be given a time penalty. In barrel racing cowgirls race their horses around 3 barrels in a cloverleaf pattern at blinding fast speeds. It's edge of your seat excitement!
Novice Events
You gotta' learn somewhere. The rodeo arena is the training grounds for future rodeo stars as these young cowboys compete in boy's steer riding. Rules are exactly the same as they are for the professional cowboys, and the competition to be best just as strong.
Pony ChuckwagonRacing
The wagons or chariots line up at the barrels. The horn sounds and they’re off! Four ponys carry the chuckwagon and driver in a figure eight around the barrels and out on the track. The chuckwagons race against one another to see who can get around the track the fastest without having a wreck. Knocked down barrels add 5 seconds to the time, and penalties may be assessed by the track judge for interference. Power, speed, and excitement thundering around the track for 5 nights.
Pony Chariot Racing
The two wheeled chariots line up at the barrels. The horn sounds and they’re off! The chariot with the driver standing up go around the barrels in a figure eight and out onto the track. The chariots race against one another to see who can get around the track the fastest without having a wreck. Like the chuckwagons, knocked down barrels add 5 seconds to the time, and penalties may be assessed by the track judge for interference.
Extra Events
Tim Horton's Stick Horse Barrel Racing
Saturday and Sunday during the afternoon rodeo performance. For children up to 8 years of age. Entry fee is $1.00. Sign up is May 31st at 2:00 pm at Tim Horton's. The first 30 children will be allowed to race. All children may participate in judged contests.
All contestants are required to make their own stick horse from any material you like. It must have a horse head and a stick body. Don't forget the reins. Be as creative as you can. There will be prizes for cutest pony name, best dressed cowpoke, best made stick horse, and ribbons for all participants.
Wild Cow Milking
Saturday and Sunday during the afternoon rodeo performance.
Bearspaw Trick Shooters
Saturday and Sunday during the afternoon rodeo performance.
This wild west show is sure to entertain.
Around Town
There are extra events around town and at the North Saskatchewan River Park. At the rodeo grounds is West Coast Amusements rodeo midway, Cheap Charlies saloon, and free camping is available for the entire 5 days of the rodeo.
Saturday morning features the Rocky Rodeo Parade along main street. Come see the horses, wagons, colorful floats, and hear the music of marching bands. The parade is open to all businesses, groups and individuals.
Cowboy church service is at 8:30 a.m. Sunday at Cheap Charlies, on the rodeo grounds, following the pancake breakfast starting at 8:00 a.m.
