Will Rogers Range Riders Rodeo Kicks Off Today

It's rodeo season here in Amarillo, and there's no doubt about it. Today the 80th Annual Will Rogers Range Riders Rodeo is kicking off at the Will Rogers Range Riders Arena. The rodeo is part of the Working Cowboy Ranch Association's rodeo series and is a qualifier for the championship coming up in November of this year.

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I'll be the first to admit that you get hooked on the Rodeo real quick and my curiosity started in my younger days when of all things Garth gave us these words

it's bulls and blood
It's dust and mud
It's the roar of a Sunday crowd
It's the white in his knuckles
The gold in his buckle
He'll win the next go 'round
It's boots and chaps
It's cowboy hats
It's spurs and latigo
It's the ropes and the reins
And the joy and the pain
And they call the thing rodeo

Honestly It really is. and it's not just the men who bring it when it comes to competition. The series has plenty of women who work just as hard as the men and pay their dues too to get that buckle and qualify for the next round.

What to Expect This Year

The rodeo in it's 80th year shows no signs of slowing down with it's age. The facilities they have out there are top notch and well maintained. Each day starts off with a Colt Challenge at 10AM. and features two sanctioned rodeo performances. The WCRA event at 4pm and the UPRA event at 7:30pm. The UPRA Barrel event this year will take place at the First United Indoor Arena.  Afterwards, live music closes out the event each night. This year expect performances from The Range Riders Band tonight, Seth Ward and the Silence on Friday Night and Lindsey Lane on Saturday.

Tickets are still available and you can make your purchase here.