2010 RODEO SEASON OFF TO AN EARLY START IN SASKATOON
October 9, 2009

2010 Canadian professional rodeo season kicks off this weekend with the New Holland Saskatoon Stampede Pro Rodeo.

From Oct. 9 to 11, rodeo contestants of the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association (CPRA) will get a jumpstart on the new season, while keeping their rodeo skills sharp for next month’s Canadian Finals Rodeo (CFR).

“It is interesting being the first rodeo of the 2010 CPRA season,” says Scott Ford, director of marketing and events at the Credit Union Centre, where the Saskatoon Stampede is set to take place.

“We’re always concerned about our entries, but we always have really good entries and this year we have a lot of slack on the timed event side of things, and pretty good entries on the bucking stock side, so it’s shaping up really well,” Ford elaborated.

“Really, our original plan was to try and stay at the end of September and be the last rodeo of the 2009 season, but with facility availabilities, it’s the second year in a row that we’ve moved into the Thanksgiving weekend,” he continued. “It is a different time to do it, but as many people that leave the city for Thanksgiving, as many come in, so it is an opportunity for those that have family and friends visiting and looking for some entertainment and something fun to do can come out to the rodeo.”

The three-day event features the six major rodeo events of saddle bronc riding, bareback riding, bull riding, tie-down roping, steer wrestling and ladies barrel racing, as well as team roping. The first two performances get underway at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, with Sunday’s closing performance starting at 2 p.m.

Earnings from the Saskatoon Stampede will count towards the 2010 Canadian standings, and is also approved by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA).

Stock is being provided by Franklin Rodeo and Outlawbuckers Rodeo Corp.