5,000 come to single rodeo event on Saturday

By Kevin Diakiw - Surrey North Delta Leader - May 17, 2008

A cowboy gets bucked off a horse at the Cloverdale Rodeo and Country Fair on Saturday. Hot weekend weather brought large crowds to the annual event.

BOAZ JOSEPH / THE LEADER

While solid numbers won’t be known for until the weekend wraps up, organizers of this year’s rodeo said a huge crowd has shown up for the events so far.

In fact, more than 5,000 people attended the 2 p.m. rodeo event today, leaving even the most optimistic pleasantly surprised.

In an interview Saturday afternoon, rodeo spokesperson Laura Ballance said the crowd numbers were extremely encouraging in the first day of events.

As of 4 p.m., Ty Elliott, was getting ready to take another run against top talent in the bull riding event.

He didn't disappoint.

Elliott, a bull-riding phenom from Vernon, came in second overrall in the bull riding event, earning more than $3,000 so far, and securing a spot for Monday's showdown between the tough competetition.

And the talent is fierce, with the top five bull riders all within 2.5 percentage points of each other Friday in an immensely contested buck for first spot.

By Saturday, Elliott was edged out by Brad Pierce, of Snyder, Texas. Elliott came in just ahead of Jody Turner of Cochrane, Alberta.

Monday will be the showdown between the three for the big money.

Last year, rodeo officials decided to end some of the more controversial events including steer wrestling, tie-down roping and team roping.

“We respect the heritage of pro rodeo, but for our event, in our community, it was the right decision under the circumstances,” said Rodeo Chairperson Penny Smythe. “And because we no longer have all the required pro rodeo events, we were able to refocus our prize money into the events which are truly the most popular here in Cloverdale – Bareback, Saddle Bronc and Bull Riding and Ladies Barrel Racing."

The re-allotment of the $360,000 in prize money means Cloverdale can now attract the top 24 cowboys – and cowgirls – worldwide.

Along with the rodeo competitions, the fair component of the rodeo offers fun for the whole family. In it’s 119th year, the Cloverdale Country Fair is a celebration of country heritage and Western tradition. It boasts hundreds of free-with-admission, exhibits, arts and crafts competitions, horticultural displays as well as B.C.’s largest travelling midway.

Friday’s results can be found at this link.

Saturday afternoon's results can be found at this link.

Saturday night's results can be found at this link.

Watch for our continuing coverage.

kdiakiw@surreyleader.com

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5,000 come to single rodeo event on Saturday

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