Kelowna Rodeo 2014: Get Your Bull Riding, Bronc Riding, and Barrel Racing Fix This June

Kelowna is a city known for its gorgeous surroundings and thriving arts community. This year, the area continues to grow in cultural influence by welcoming some of the best riders in Canada to take part in the inaugural Kelowna Rodeo. Here's some of the fun that people can expect when the rodeo comes to town.

High Speed Barrel Racing Action

The competition at the Kelowna Rodeo consists of forty highly skilled riders perched atop powerful horses and bucking bulls. One of the events is barrel racing, which requires a horse and rider to sprint around barrels in a clover leaf pattern as quickly as possible. This demands a mix of speed, intelligence, agility and strength from the horse as well as an experienced rider capable of harnessing the explosive force of the steed.

Bucking Bronco! Be Sure to Catch the Bronc and Bull Riding Events

Another rodeo event that tests the abilities of horse riders is bronco riding. In this event, the rider attempts to stay mounted for eight seconds on a furiously bucking horse without using their free hand to remain stable. After successfully staying on top for eight seconds, both the rider and the horse are given a score between zero and fifty. Higher scores are rewarded when horses buck, move and twist in an effective and dramatic manner. Bronc riding is separated into bareback and saddle categories.

Bull riding is similar to bronc riding, with both competitions involving riders staying on for eight seconds before receiving a score from judges. The main difference in the bull riding event, of course, is the fact that a rider mounts an angry bull bred specifically for bucking power. Riders hang on to a bull rope hardened with leather and coated with rosin to promote better grip.

Attending the First Annual Kelowna Rodeo

The Kelowna Rodeo takes place at the Royal LePage Place, located at 2769 Cameron Road in West Kelowna. This facility is part of the Mount Boucherie Community Complex and seats an audience of up to 1,500 people. The festivities are spread across two days, June 13th and June 14th.

Three types of tickets can be purchased for the show. Buying a $75 VIP ticket grants a pair of patrons the privilege of the best seats in the arena for both days, placed in the dirt right next the action. Included with the VIP package are four drink tickets, a behind-the-scenes tour, a meet and greet with the contestants and entry into the after party with no cover charge or line-up. Reserved premium seats are $25 advance and $30 at the door and located close to barrels one and two and the bucking chutes. General admission is $20 advance and $25 at the door. Children aged seven and under are admitted for free and discounted rates for groups are available.

Rodeo fans can look forward to an excellent competition to kick off the 2014 summer season. Kelowna residents who have never attended a rodeo will get a chance to witness for the first time the incredible skill and power of the sport. The first annual Kelowna Rodeo will also feature great music, food and a boisterous after party to start what promises to be a yearly celebration.