53rd Annual Stavely Indoor Pro Rodeo Action Starts Tonight
May 7 , 2010

Get ready for some serious rodeo action as the 53rd annual Stavely Indoor Pro Rodeo gets underway on Friday, May 7.

For three days, professional rodeo athletes will ride, rope and race at the Stavely Arena, in the town of Stavely, Alta., about halfway between Calgary and Lethbridge.

“We’ve got a real good list of cowboys, and probably a record amount in the steer wrestling,” says Kim Cochlan, while watching the Friday morning slack performance after months of planning.

Aside from the talent scheduled to compete, the chairman for Stavely’s rodeo committee is confident that the rodeo they have organized is just an entertaining package all around.

“I just think it’s a great family entertainment, and you’re never going to get closer to the action than you are here in Stavely,” Cochlan says enthusiastically. “Don’t bring your good clothes because they might not be so clean when we’re done!”

For those who have taken in the rodeo out at Stavely, Alta. before, you might recall being so up close and personal you shook dirt out of your hair for a week afterwards.

Exactly,” Cochlan chuckles. “Bring safety glasses.”

All kidding aside, Cochlan is proud of the rodeo and its place in the community,

“We’ve got three and four generations of families that are still involved with the rodeo. We realize the rural population is kind of dwindling, but there’s still seems to be enough interest to keep the volunteer force up,” he says, adding that the longevity of the event has helped them figure out what makes good rodeo into a great rodeo.

“I believe it’s how it clicks off. We try to be between two hours and two hours and 20 minutes. I think people get bored sitting any longer than that. And (stock contractor) Wayne Vold is very good at keeping things going, and the volunteer crew we have here is great to work with and we seem to reach that goal.”

And, of course, the little things mean a lot too.

On Sunday, for example, in light of Mother’s Day, the first 200 moms through the door will receive flowers, but Cochlan’s keeping mum on what kind.

“It’ll have to be a surprise because I’m not a florist. I don’t want to say roses and then get in trouble,” he laughs. “I’d better just leave it at ‘flowers.’”