Lethbridge Pro Rodeo ready to buck

By Lethbridge Herald on August 23, 2023.

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.

By Justin Seward

Lethbridge Herald

Rodeo fans can expect an exhilarating experience once the Lethbridge and District Pro Rodeo kicks up its first pile of dirt tonight at the Exhibition Park grandstand.

“Obviously our ticket sales are up from last year already for the weekend and for Thursday’s event,” said Kynan Vine, Lethbridge Pro Rodeo executive producer.

“We’ve got some of the best rodeo competitors in the world. Some of the top contestants in the world standings are coming in (tonight ) (and) of course Friday and Saturday. But even… for a Thursday’s performance it’s pretty stacked up.”

People will have the opportunity to watch the likes of three-time world champion  Zeke Thurston, No. 1 world- ranked Sage Newman , Chase Brooks and Ben Anderson in the Saddle Bronc riding.

The Bull riding will feature Maple Creek’s Jared Parsonage, who qualified for the national finals last year and is on his way to doing so this year.

Parsonage’s travel partner ,Jordan Hansen, will also be competing.

“So we’ve got a lot of good contestants,” said Vine.

“You know, top in the world (and) of course top in Canada (are) coming in.”

Vine thought one of the more exciting events of the rodeo is the indigenous relay races.

“So, each night, we’ll end the rodeo with the indigenous relay racing, and these guys are just amazing athletes, and they’re coming here for one of the top prize money purses in relay racing,” said Vine.

 “So,it’s some of the best in North America coming to Lethbridge this weekend.”

With the relay racing, Vine says it sets our rodeo apart from any other rodeo in Canada.

“No other Pro Rodeo is doing relay racing with the rodeo of course and it’s just a cherry on top,” said Vine.

“It’s so exciting. Everybody loves to watch it .”

Attendees have the opportunity to sit in the new track side seating this year.

“So that the people will be right up against the fence being able to watch those exchanges and the athleticism of the relay racing,” he said.

“ So, to put that with the rodeo, I think is just awesome. People love it.”

The rodeo goes nightly from tonight to Saturday at 7 p.m.

There are just under 400 riders in the rodeo.