Rodeo Roundup: Riding and Roping in the American West

When summer hits Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho, it means rodeo time. During this season, cowboys show off their bronco-riding, steer wrestling, and barrel racing skills for rapt audiences.

The following events showcase some of the most spectacular rodeo action in the world.

Photo: Daniel Lloyd Blunk Fernandez

Wyoming: Why They Call It the Cowboy State

Wyoming, of course, is home to the “Daddy of ‘em All”:  Cheyenne Frontier Days, held each year for nine days in Cheyenne in late July. In addition to double or triple daily sessions of bull riding, saddle- and bareback-bronco riding, Frontier Days features steer wrestling, barrel racing, and a wide array of events such as concerts, Native dancing, parade, cookoffs, a carnival and demonstrations by the USAF Thunderbirds precision flying team.

Frontier Days has been celebrated in Cheyenne since 1897. It attracts top athletes from both the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) and the World Champion Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA). This year, Cheyenne Frontier Days begins with Cheyenne Frontier Nights on July 18 and ends with a closing rodeo on the afternoon of July 27.

Photo: Vinny O’Hare

Earlier in the summer, the rodeo spotlight shines on Cody, just east of Yellowstone National Park. Sometimes called the “Rodeo Capital of the World,” the town is home to the Cody Night Rodeo, which takes place nightly from June through August and features Novice Barrel racing for kids under 12, steer wrestling for those under 14, and a calf scramble in which children in the audience can participate.

The Big Time in Cody — the Cody Stampede — runs July 1-4. Started in 1919, the Stampede has become a staple of Western heritage. Crowds come from around the world to see top professional cowboys and cowgirls compete.

The Sheridan WYO Rodeo takes place July 9-12 and is also a PCRA event. And if you can’t make it to Cody on July 4, Lander, WY, holds its Pioneer Days – including a rodeo- on July 3 and 4.

Photo: Rogelio Gonzales

Montana is Home to Wild Horses

Heading on North, the rodeo trail runs to Helena, Montana, where the Last Chance Stampede and Fair winds up July, running from July 23-26. Another PRCA-sponsored event, the Last Chance features top competitors in all traditional rodeo events, along with concerts and nightly Mutton Busting and Steer Riding for kids ages 3-7 and 8-13. Crowds also will be entertained by some of the top Rodeo Clowns/Barrelmen in the business.

Not to be outdone by July 4 rodeo activities in Wyoming, Montana hosts its own rodeo over the Independence Day holiday. Celebrating its 100^th Birthday this year, the Livingston Roundup Rodeo takes place every July 2-4 and is the largest in the Montana Circuit of the PRCA. It also boasts the biggest purse and top-notch stock.

Photo: Dulcey Lima

The oldest rodeo in Montana started 10 full years before and 400 miles northeast of the Livingston Roundup. Supposedly, the Wolf Point Wild Horse Stampede started on a hot July afternoon in 1915 when a bunch of restless cowhands rode wild broncos down Main Street.  The locals continue to saddle and ride wild broncos to this day, but the Professionals stick to the traditional rodeo events and turn out in force to compete on the second weekend of July. Parades and a street dance add to the fun.

Stampede to Idaho

If you want to get your rodeo fix earlier in the summer, then head further west to Nampa for the Snake River Stampede. This year, the Stampede runs from June 17-21. The Stampede is one of the top twelve professional rodeos recognized by the PRCA. The Nampa community goes all out to welcome the rodeo and its guests. And don’t worry about the weather, the Snake River Stampede is held in an air-conditioned arena seating 10,000.

For the oldest rodeo in Idaho, head back east to Idaho Falls and the War Bonnet Round-Up. The War Bonnet is also a PRCA-sanctioned event and is held the first weekend in August — this year, July 30–August 2.

Photo: Jordan Henrichs

Designed to be fun for the whole family, the War Bonnet features a nightly kids’ zone, and the rodeo itself includes family fun. More than 500 cowboys and cowgirls compete each summer in front of up to 15,000 rodeo fans. The Shoshone-Bannock Tribes of Fort Hall have participated since the beginning, with the tribes providing the most colorful component of the Round-Up.

Check out the Action

Rodeos abound across these three states. So, if you’re a fan, there’s a lot of action to see. Tickets go on sale starting in March or April, so check early if there’s a special rodeo you want to see. In addition to the aforementioned locations, you’ll find rodeos in Texas, Oklahoma, Arizona, New Mexico, and other Western States. Get a full schedule of pro rodeos across North America. And, of course, grab your hat, your boots, your jeans, and that big belt buckle before you hit the road. Yee-Hah!

Looking for an RV park? Consider hanging up your spurs in Twin Pines RV Park & Campground in Lander, Wyoming, and Campground St. Regis in St. Regis, Montana.

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Source: https://www.rv.com/lifestyle-travel/rodeos-across-america/