Just because most of the athletes that compete in the senior rodeo circuit qualify for the senior rate when going to their favourite restaurant doesn’t mean they can’t rodeo anymore.
And on June 10-11, about 80 professional rodeo athletes will descend on Barrhead Agricultural Grounds to prove it as part of the Canadian Senior Pro Rodeo Association (CSPRA) tour.
“Rodeo isn’t just a sport for the young, it is a sport for the young at heart and the athletes on the CSPRA tour really exemplify that,” Randy Schmidt said.
Schmidt, who along with being the announcer of the event is one of the half a dozen members on the organizing committee who decided to bring the circuit to Barrhead six years ago.
He said the CSPRA was founded more than 30 years ago to give older rodeoers a chance to participate in the sport they love.
“Just because there is a little bit of snow on the roof doesn’t mean we can’t still rodeo,” Schmidt said.
To compete in the CSPRA you must be at least 40 years old and there is no upper limit.
Each event has four age categories, 40 to 49 years old, 50 to 59 years old, 60 to 67 years old, and 68 and older. CSPRA rodeos include all the traditional rodeo events, with the exception of bull riding.
Most of the events are open to both genders with men competing against men and women against women.
Schmidt said ribbon roping is one team event in which both cowboys and cowgirls compete as a pair.
The roper, usually a cowboy, throws a loop around the calf while his cowgirl partner, the ribbon runner, waits in the arena. As soon as the roper dismounts from his horse and takes hold of the calf, the cowgirl runs to the animal and snatches the ribbon tied to the calf’s tail. The ribbon runner then races back to the finish line.
So far Schmidt said the reception for the event has been really positive, in large part due to the calibre of talent.
“We have some of the best senior rodeo competitors coming from all over North America to compete in the event. People from Wyoming, Oregon, Montana, basically all of the northwestern United States,” he said, adding the senior groups such as the ones who attend from Hillcrest Lodge are especially appreciative. “I know every year we have a group from Hillcrest Lodge come out to watch. They get a real kick out of seeing someone who is as old as they compete.”
In addition, about a dozen local competitors take part in the event every year.
Action starts at 1 p.m. on Sunday, June 10, at the Barrhead Rodeo Grounds, while Monday’s action starts at 11 a.m.
Admission is free and food and drinks will be available at the concession stand.
