Cochrane will soon have one of the hottest rodeo tickets in Alberta – and that’s no bull.
The 14th annual Cochrane Classic Bullriding will take place July 26 at Cochrane Lions Rodeo Park and will once again run in conjunction with Cochrane SummerFest for the 3rd year in a row.
Jason Borton started the rodeo over a decade ago and has been organizing and promoting it ever since. He said that bullriding is a particularly exciting event in the rodeo scene.
“You never know what’s going to happen with bullriding. Those bulls are so strong and powerful,” he said. “You’re riding against a 1,500 pound animal and they get the best of you sometimes.”
The Top 30 Canadian bullriders will be competing for $10,000 in prizes with the winner walking away with up to $5,000 according to Borton. He said a lot of the same riders from the Calgary Stampede would be competing in the classic.
Borton also added that the competitors are trying to eventually get to the Canadian Finals Rodeo (CFR) that will take place in Edmonton Nov. 5 – 9.
He said the rodeo would be similar to last year’s, with a few minor changes that would add to the overall experience of the event. This year he is including additional big screens to show all of the action and also more food trucks on location for spectators to enjoy.
“I’m really excited about it,” he said of this year’s event.
The decision to run the classic during Cochrane’s SummerFest is something that Borton sees as a good fit. He said bullriding in the evening is a fun way to cap off the day at the annual Cochrane festival.
The gates open at 6 p.m. and the bullriding begins at 7 p.m. There will be a dance and live music to follow. Prices are $30 for adults, $20 for seniors and $15 for kids age five to 17. Kids under five get in free.
