The Estevan Canadian Cowboys Association (CCA) Rodeo at Exhibition Grounds Sept. 4 and 5 is setting up to be a highly competitive and crowd-pleasing affair.
Laura Mantei, chairperson of the Estevan CCA Rodeo, said the event will feature all the usual main elements of a rodeo, including bareback and novice bareback riding, saddle and novice saddle bronc riding, bull riding, tie-down roping, steer wrestling, ladies’ and junior girls’ barrel racing and team roping, as well as a number of special features. She said the four local girls who make up the Calamity Cowgirls team of trick riders will be an intermission entertainment show that will provide a highlight for the weekend.
“As far as the Estevan people, I don’t think they want to miss the trick riders,” said Mantei. “The trick riders are something that is going to bring us a good crowd. People want to see these girls. They’ve been promoting themselves and working hard.”
Mantei noted some other acts at the annual rodeo that should draw a crowd are rodeo clown Lee Bellows, a petting zoo, the light horse show at 8 a.m. on the Saturday and a cabaret hosted by the Estevan 2016 Saskatchewan Summer Games committee at the Power Dodge Curling Centre that evening. She said there will also be a special ranch rodeo event staged on the Sunday afternoon, after the rodeo has wrapped up, that will feature different fun events.
As far as the main events are concerned, she said they are not yet sure about how many cowboys and cowgirls will be competing at the rodeo, but the expectation is for about 200 participants. Mantei said the Estevan CCA Rodeo, which has a 7 p.m. Friday start time and 2 p.m. Saturday start, is occurring near the end of the season so there should be many competitors at it trying their best to earn some money and to solidify a spot for themselves at the rodeo finals this November in Regina.
“The way the CCA works is there are a number of rodeos that these cowboy contestants go to all season…to win and make money. The top 10 get to go to the CCA finals and that’s for buckles and saddles and better money and to be the year-end champion. This is one of the rodeos they can go to to add to their purse.”
