Cowboy Christmas: The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

by Nicole Jasperson

While most folks take time off work to barbecue, spend time with family, and hit the lake around Independence Day, professional cowboys and cowgirls load up their rigs and hit the road for the busiest and richest run of the year. For many, this involves driving through the night and making multiple runs per day in order to hit as many rodeos as possible.

“Cowboy Christmas” consists of dozens of large paying rodeos scheduled for the last week of June and first week of July. Each rodeo has a whopping amount of added prize money, and competitors hope to take home their share of the purse. This time of year can be critical for competitors, and tends to shake up the world standings in all events across the board.

On any other weekend throughout the year, around 15-17 rodeos are held across the country. These numbers skyrocket during the Fourth of July run, with over 30 rodeos July first through third alone. Professional cowboys and cowgirls hope to pull into the driveway thousands richer after competing in as many rodeos as possible during the most wonderful time of the year.

Here’s a rundown of the biggest rodeos you won’t want to miss during Cowboy Christmas.

Reno Rodeo

Although not technically over Independence Day, some consider the Reno Rodeo the official start of the Cowboy Christmas run. The 105th annual Reno Rodeo runs from June 21-29, and has added money of $560,000. Created in 1919 when community members sought a way to celebrate the end of World War I, it dubs itself the wildest, richest rodeo in the West.

Ponoka Stampede

This year’s Ponoka Stampede is scheduled for June 25 through July 1 in Ponoka, Alberta. The 88 year old tradition has prize money of $955,000, and attracts around 80,000 visitors and rodeo fans annually. With a large purse comes tough competition, bringing some of rodeo’s top athletes to the event for their shot at a check.

Greeley Stampede

The Greeley Stampede takes place June 27th through July 3rd in Greeley, Colorado, at the Island Grove Arena. The rodeo has $267,173 in added money for competitors. Last year’s highest money earner was steer wrestler Gus Franzen, who left the rodeo $13,499 richer.

World’s Oldest Rodeo

The World’s Oldest Rodeo takes place July 1-6 in Prescott, Arizona, and features $160,000 in added money. It was born in 1888 and continues to draw the nation’s top rodeo athletes and performers to the area each summer. This year, the rodeo will host specialty acts Broken Spoke Clydesdales, Tomas Garcilazo, and barrelman Matt Tarr.

Cody Stampede

Launched in 1919, the Cody Stampede Rodeo brings Western sports fans and competitors alike to the Rodeo Capital of the World for Independence Day celebrations. The event takes place July first through fourth, with nightly performances at Cody’s Stampede Park and added money of $240,000.

St. Paul Rodeo

The small town of St. Paul, Oregon, hosts 50,000 visitors each summer for what they claim is the nation’s greatest Fourth of July rodeo. This year’s event will run July second through sixth, with a parade and an extra matinee performance on Independence Day. The rodeo has $298,900 added money for competitors.

Livingston Roundup Rodeo

Montana’s oldest rodeo, the Livingston Roundup, will take place July first through fourth this year. Created in 1924, it annually hosts sold out crowds and world class competitors. This year, the rodeo will celebrate 100 years of tradition with nightly fireworks and a special anniversary concert on June 28th.

Calgary Stampede

Created by Guy Weadick, the Calgary Stampede’s first exhibition took place in 1886, with the first rodeo occurring in 1912. This year’s event will run July 5-14 at Stampede Park in Alberta, Canada. The rodeo will feature a competitor payout of $1.79 million in front of over one million visitors. Last year’s rodeo left multiple cowboys and cowgirls with checks for over $12,000 each, setting them up well for the remainder of the season in the world standings.

-Article by Nicole Jasperson

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