With summer not far away it’s time to think about Rodeos!
Today’s guest blogger is Jena Ellis
Her article first appeared on the Online Certificate Programs website.
Rodeos may be an all-American sport, but that doesn’t mean other countries haven’t gotten in on the fun too. Thousands of rodeos are held all over the world, spanning as far as Mexico to the Philippines. Most rodeos today include calf roping, bronc riding, barrel racing, steer wrestling and other iconic acts, but they’ve evolved into much more than just sporting events. As rodeos have grown in popularity and support, cities all around the world have added livestock shows, parades, art shows and concerts to expand their public appeal and keep up with competition. Out of the thousands of rodeos held worldwide each year, these 10 are the very best:
1. Calgary Stampede: The Calgary Stampede in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, is one of the most famous and richest rodeos in the world. The 10-day Stampede is known for its authentic chuckwagon races, livestock exhibition and outdoor rodeo that draws over 1 million visitors per year. Visitors dress in their finest Western wear and participate in city-wide pancake breakfasts and barbecues.
2. Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo: The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo has been entertaining audiences for 79 years. Houston has the world’s largest livestock exhibition and one of the most popular rodeo events ever. Another major attraction of RodeoHouston are the concerts that feature some of the biggest names in country, rock, blues, Tejano and pop music. The 2010 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo attendance reached a record high of 2.2 million visits, nearly doubling previous years’ attendance.
3. Cheyenne Frontier Days: Cheyenne Frontier Days in Cheyenne, Wyoming, is not called the “Daddy of ’em All” for nothing. A couple hundred thousand visitors come to this popular outdoor rodeo every year to see the exciting and fast paced rodeo acts. There are at least 10 different rodeo events and three track acts you can catch over the course of nine days. Not to mention a handful of awesome music concerts.
4. Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo: Since its creation in 1896, the Forth Worth Stock Show and Rodeo holds the title of the oldest continuously running livestock show and rodeo. The 23-day event is full of exciting rodeo events, daily live music and top-notch livestock shows. This rodeo arena has witnessed some major moments in the sport of rodeo, such as the first display of “bulldogging” by cowboy Bill Pickett.
5. Rocky Mountain Stampede: The Rocky Mountain Stampede, also known as the Greeley Stampede, has been keeping the western heritage alive in Colorado for 89 years with its Pro Rodeo and kids rodeo events, as well as western art shows, demolition derbies, BBQs and music concerts. The Greeley Stampede is the world’s largest Fourth of July rodeo and one you won’t want to miss.
6. Reno Rodeo: The Reno Rodeo has been entertaining visitors for 87 years with its PRCA Pro Rodeo events and extreme rodeo acts. The 9-day event also includes a parade, cattle drive, special kids’ rodeo and golf tournament. If you can’t attend the Reno Rodeo, you can watch it on OLN, ESPN and ESPN2.
7. Festa do Peão de Boiadeiro: The Festa do Peão de Boiadeiro is an annual Brazilian rodeo held in the city of Barretos. This Cowboy Festival is styled after American rodeos and features many of the same rodeo events with bull and horse riding. Since 1955, the Festa do Peão de Boiadeiro has grown in popularity and international recognition for its talent and exciting rodeo events.
8. San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo: The San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo is one of the largest of its kind, and has even given Houston some friendly competition over the years. Since 1950, the San Antonio Rodeo has grown exponentially in attendance and fame thanks to the exciting rodeo events, horse shows and auctions that take place here every year.
9. La Fiesta de los Vaqueros: La Fiesta de los Vaqueros is an annual rodeo event held in Tucson, Arizona. This popular outdoor rodeo features top-notch bull riding, barrel racing, team roping and steer wrestling by more than 650 cowboys and cowgirls. The Tucson Rodeo also has the world’s longest non-motorized parade that features colorful, western-themed floats, festive Mexican folk dancers and historic spectacles the whole family will enjoy.
10. Australian Professional Rodeo National Finals: The Australian Professional Rodeo National Finals is one rodeo event you won’t want to miss. The national finals showcase Australia’s most talented cowboys and cowgirls as they compete in a number of rodeo events, such as saddle bronc riding, bull riding, bareback bronc riding, ladies barrel racing and much more. This year’s rodeo event takes place at the Gold Coast Convention Centre in Queensland, Australia.