The panels are up, the chutes are ready, the cowboys are primed and it is time for the Columbia Valley to rodeo up.
The 25th Bull Riding in the Rockies is set to go Friday, July 18 and this year it is bigger
and better than ever. The annual event is organized by the community owned Columbia Valley Rockies
hockey club and is the team’s biggest and most vital fundraiser of the year.
Northcott Rodeo Inc will once again be providing the bulls and cowboys and the day will
open up with a performance of hoop and traditional dancing from the Indigenous youth
dance troupe The Columbia River Headwater Dancers. Local musician Emma Kade will
then take the stage to perform and lead into the rodeo which will be formally opened by
the flag riders from the Brisco Riding Club (BRC).
“It is an honour for us to be a part of the 25th anniversary of Bull Riding in the Rockies,”
said Amanda Jopp, BRC president. “Our club is very family and community oriented.
We host a lot of events, and I am so proud to showcase the 7 girls carrying the flags this
year… they so excited to represent.”
Jopp is no stranger to the event, having participated in the first years as a young rider
and flag carrier herself.
After the last bull has been ridden and dust settled, Cole Malone, a Western Canada
music scene favourite, will take the stage to headline a dance under the big tent.
“We are so thankful to everyone that takes part in this, all the volunteers and the fans
and sponsors,” said Rockies president Brett Holt. “We really believe this is the greatest
outdoor show in the Columbia Valley. We especially want to thank Nina Reilly and Philip
Sommerville who have once again graciously let us hold this event on their land.”
Head coach and general manager Tayler Sincennes comes from a ranching
background, so rodeo as a hockey fundraiser is the best of both worlds for him.
“This to me is one of the best events put together by any team in our league and it
couldn’t be done without the support of the community and surrounding people that
come out to see it,” he said. “Our club is run by community support and this is a great
showing of that. Growing up around rodeo it is a lot of fun and exciting for me to be a
part of organizing this.
“At the end of the day, I want this year’s to be the biggest and best yet
because everything we bring in goes into supporting our players for the upcoming
season.”
At press time there were 17 cowboy sponsorship spots (at $300) left with the winning
cowboy earning the sponsor $200 back. You can reach out to Paige Holt at
cvrockies.marketing@gmail.com if you would like to pony up and sponsor.
Youth and adult tickets are available on Showpass and wristbands will be provided at
the gate.
Written by Stephanie Stevens
