Pro Rodeo to bring a playoff-like atmosphere as season winds down

By Lethbridge Herald on August 20, 2025.

Herald Photo by Justin Seward Kynan Vine spoke to reporters about the 2025 Lethbridge and District Pro Rodeo on Wednesday at the Exihibition grandstand.

The Lethbridge and District Pro Rodeo is set to kick-up dirt and provide a high-octane atmosphere for crowds beginning tonight at the Lethbridge Exhibition grandstand.

Rodeo fans will be treated to the likes of four-time world and four-time Calgary Stampede champion Zeke Thurston and other top competitors such as Dawson Hay and Kolby Wanchuk.

“All of the events look great, we gotta a lot of world class competitors coming,” said Kynan Vine,  Lethbridge and District Pro Rodeo executive producer.

“ We also have contestants in every event because the heat of the battle for the Canadian Finals Rodeo is on and we’re the second last tour stop. So, essentially Lethbridge has  now become the playoffs for pro rodeo in Canada.”

Vine spoke about having  the likes of  Thurston and how he along with other top competitors set the benchmark every year in Lethbridge.

“It brings the legitimacy,” said Vine.

“ It also shows the community here in Lethbridge and anywhere else that are getting  those top-quality contestants that we’re doing the right things and we’re drawing in the contestants.”

Lethbridge has the only Canadian pro rodeo that combines  Relay Races and the rodeo in the same event.

Relay Races see bareback riders jump from  moving horse to another in a race format.

 “It’s  pretty cool when it all comes together and we get to put that kind of entertainment product in front of the fans here in Lethbridge,” said Vine.

The Lethbridge and District Pro Rodeo runs nightly  at 7 p.m. from Aug. 21-23   at the Exhibition grandstand.