Pro rodeo set to ride again at Whoop-Up Days

By Justin Seward - Lethbridge Herald on August 25, 2022.

Herald file photo A rider hangs on in the bareback event during the 2014 CPRA Pro Rodeo at Exhibition Park, the last time Whoop-Up Days featured a pro rodeo event.

Rodeo fans will be ecstatic to hear that the Lethbridge and District Pro Rodeo is returning tonight for the first time in eight years.

“You can absolutely feel the excitement down here on the grounds to have the event back,” said Mike Warkentin, Lethbridge and District Exhibition chief executive officer.

Warkentin said this is something that has been many years in the making.

“We’ve got some of the top rodeo athletes competing,” he said.

Fans can cheer on over 200 contestants including the likes of No. 1 ranked Canadian bull rider Jared Parsonage competing on Friday night, Zeke Thurston who is a two-time world champion and three-time Calgary Stampede winner and Bayleigh Choate who is the No. 10 world ranked ladies barrel racer and the No. 1 ranked in the country.

There will also be 12 Warrior Relay Teams that will compete over the three nights.

“It’s the first time we’re inviting pro rodeo athletes who are able to compete for points towards the CFR and NFR standings in eight years,” said Warkentin.

Warkentin said ranching and the western way of life are so prevalent here in southern Alberta.

“It’s been such an important piece of our culture as an organization, it’s an important piece of southern Alberta culture,” he said.

“And when you go down the draw for the rodeo, there’s a huge percentage of the athletes that are from southern Alberta, and Lethbridge being that sort of gathering place throughout southern Alberta it was important that we had a premiere event right here in rodeo country.”

All the professional rodeo events will be on display, including ladies barrel racing, bareback, steer wrestling, tie down, saddle bronc, team roping, breakaway and bull riding, followed by the Warrior Relay Races.

The Pro Rodeo runs nightly until Saturday, starting at 7 p.m. at the Exhibition Grandstand.

Tickets can be purchased at http://www.whoopupdays.ca.