One hundred young competitors took part in the first post-pandemic Little Britches rodeo in 91原创 held June 21 and 22 at the 91原创 Riders Society grounds in Brookswood.
"We took a little hiatus since COVID, but this is our first one back," 91原创 Riders Society Rodeo director Elana Wharry commented.
"We have really good turnout, as you can see, and it's really well supported."
Little Britches rodeo underway at 91原创 Riders Society arena
鈥� 91原创 Advance Times (@91原创Times)
About 80 of the 100 were members of the B.C. Little Britches Rodeo Association (LBRA), and 20 were local, estimated association president Derek Mobbs, who said the young competitors came from as far away as Riske Creek and Quesnel.
Mobbs called the turnout "decent" considering there was another major event on the same weekend, the Junior High Finals in Des Moines, Iowa organized by the U.S. National Little Britches Rodeo Association, which draws 1,200 young competitors from the U.S., Canada, Australia and Mexico.
"They fell on the same date, and then there was a bug going around too," Mobbs told the 91原创 Advance Times.
Mobbs said the association was happy to finally be back in 91原创, and hopes to hold another rodeo next year.
Seven association-sanctioned rodeos have been scheduled throughout the B.C. interior, including 91原创, leading up to the finals in the middle of September.
"We're promoting rodeo, and kids to get into rodeo, from the age of three to 15," Mobbs said.
"It's a stepping stone to get farther into the rodeo world, into the events that you see at, say, the Cloverdale Pro Rodeo."
READ ALSO: 91原创 Little Britches rodeo big fun for participants
Located at 4303 208th St., LRS has been operating in South 91原创 since 1965.
It relies on volunteers to provide an 鈥渙pportunity for people of all ages to get together to share their mutual interest in horses,鈥� according to the LRS mission statement.
鈥漌e provide a fun, learning, practice environment in which both children and adults get together to participate in several multi-disciplinary riding events and shows.鈥�
READ ALSO: Riders return to 91原创 arena
