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Bull Riding in the Rockies is this Friday
By Stephanie Stevens
The panels are up, the chutes are ready, the cowboys are primed and it is time for the Columbia Valley to rodeo up.
The 25th Bull Riding in the Rockies is set to go Friday, July 18 and this year it is bigger and better than ever.
The annual event is organized by the community owned Columbia Valley Rockies hockey club and is the team’s biggest and most vital fundraiser of the year.
Northcott Rodeo Inc will once again be providing the bulls and cowboys and the day will open up with a performance of hoop and traditional dancing from the Indigenous youth dance troupe The Columbia River Headwater Dancers. Local musician Emma Kade will then take the stage to perform and lead into the rodeo which will be formally opened by the flag riders from the Brisco Riding Club (BRC).
“It is an honour for us to be a part of the 25th anniversary of Bull Riding in the Rockies,” said Amanda Jopp, BRC president. “Our club is very family and community oriented. We host a lot of events, and I am so proud to showcase the 7 girls carrying the flags this year… they so excited to represent.”
Jopp is no stranger to the event, having participated in the first years as a young rider and flag carrier herself.
After the last bull has been ridden and dust settled, Cole Malone, a Western Canada music scene favourite, will take the stage to headline a dance under the big tent.
“We are so thankful to everyone that takes part in this, all the volunteers and the fans and sponsors,” said Rockies president Brett Holt.
“We really believe this is the greatest outdoor show in the Columbia Valley. We especially want to thank Nina Reilly and Philip Sommerville who have once again graciously let us hold this event on their land.”
Head coach and general manager Tayler Sincennes comes from a ranching background, so rodeo as a hockey fundraiser is the best of both worlds for him.
“This to me is one of the best events put together by any team in our league and it couldn’t be done without the support of the community and surrounding people that come out to see it,” he said. “Our club is run by community support and this is a great showing of that. Growing up around rodeo it is a lot of fun and exciting for me to be a part of organizing this.
“At the end of the day, I want this year’s to be the biggest and best yet because everything we bring in goes into supporting our players for the upcoming season.”
At press time there were 17 cowboy sponsorships spots (at $300) left with the winning cowboy earning the sponsor $200 back. You can reach out to Paige Holt at [email protected] if you would like to pony up and sponsor.
Youth and adult tickets are available on Showpass and wristbands will be provided at the gate.
Stephanie Stevens photo
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