Today is the last day of the Airdrie Pro Rodeo and, so far, it has been a giant success.

Competitors from all over the world have come together in Airdrie for the long weekend of ranch fun.

President of the Airdrie Rodeo Ranch Association, Jim Murphy, said that this event is probably one of the best he has ever seen.

"I've been around here for 12 years now. I was vice-president for the last couple of years and then this is my first year as president and last night was fantastic. It was just mind-blowing. We had people lined up. I would say there was at least 3,500 people here."

He said that it was thanks, in part, to the people that helped get it going.

"We've taken on a lot of new sponsors, some really good support this year and we've really seen, in the last two days, some really big changes as far as attendance here. We're really happy with what's been going on."

The Airdrie Pro Rodeo has a variety of competitions, including the junior rodeo events like barrel racing and pro rodeo events like bareback riding.

A crowd favourite is the junior rodeo mutton busting event.

However, Murphy said one of the biggest events, for both fans and competitors, is the bull riding.

"The Bull Riding Bonanza (...) is cowboy Christmas," joked Murphy. "There are three big rodeos all at the same time this weekend, so we were finding that drawing our contestants in to get those athletes to come was really hard to do. So, we're trying to incentivize them more. With the Bull Riding Bonanza, they actually get a two-ride system here. If they ride really well on the first one, they're coming back to get on that second bull because they're in a chance for doubling up on their stuff."

Although bull riding demands a lot of the spotlight, Murphy said every event has its time in the sun.

"Normally, for me, I always love the bull riding. It seems to have the most carnage and kind of the most exciting but I'm finding, as president, everybody has their own little spots. Myself, my kids have kind of grown through the wild pony races, so lots of people coming to watch that. I really enjoy that."

Murphy said that no one should miss the chance to see the cowboys and cowgirls in action.

"It's a pro rodeo, so we've got people from all over North America, Mexico, and Brazil. People are coming a long way to be at this rodeo. I'm not sure if the whole community, Calgary and the surrounding area understand the calibre of the rodeo we have. These are the professionals, these are the big guys. These guys have been at it a long time and they really know what they're doing."

The rodeo will get started again today at 1:30 with the Junior Rodeo, followed by the Bull Riding Bonanza at 2:30.

 

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