Young and inexperienced roughstock will be lining the chutes of Cochrane Lions Rodeo Park July 11, kicking off the second annual Foothills Bucking Horse Futurity.
“It’s a twist on rodeo — it’s more of a concentrated event,” said Jimmy Richards, organizer of the competition and co-operator of the family-run Richards Rodeo Ltd. out of Devil’s Head Ranch.
“After last year’s event, people kept commenting on how much they enjoyed cheering on the horses — instead of cheering on a rider.”
The action is set to start at 6 p.m.
Held during Stampede week, the futurity highlights up-and-coming saddle bronc horses. These four-and five-year-old equine athletes are the future of roughstock, said Richards, whose company produces rodeos for the groups such as the Foothills Cowboys Association and the National College Rodeo Association, and sub-contracts to the Calgary Stampede.
In fact, Richards said the talent of a few of the futurity’s roughstock entries will be on display at the Taber Pro Rodeo July 5-7.
This year’s event will feature 12 teams, with each team entering three young bucking horses. Experienced high-school rodeo and semi-pro cowboys will ride the horses, said Richards, to offset the inexperience of the broncs.
The futurity will be judged similarly to a rodeo, with horses and cowboys being scored after each ride. The top rider will win a belt buckle, and trophy halters will be awarded to the top-scoring horse and the top-overall team.
Prize money will be divided among the best four teams — last year’s contestants split more than $10,000.
“It’s a good way of exposing our bucking horses and local contractors,” said Richards. “People should come down and see the future of rodeo.”
Richards said the event wouldn’t be possible without the generosity from local sponsors.
The Cochrane Lions concession and beer garden will be up and running for the event. Admission is free.
