Contestants will compete for $240,000 worth of prizes at the 53rd annual Innisfail Professional Rodeo.
The pro rodeo events begin on Thursday evening and the action continues through Sunday afternoon at the Daines Ranch Rodeo Grounds, located about six kilometres north of Innisfail on the old C&E Trail. The slack in timed events take place Wednesday.
The details were revealed during a press conference at the Daines Ranch last Tuesday afternoon. The local rodeo draws competitors from across Alberta and Canada, and also brings in international competitors. The professional rodeo will count toward both Canadian and World Championships, with each dollar won counting as points towards the championship title.
“You will see a rodeo of rodeos right here from the 13th through the 16th of June,” rodeo organizer Jack Daines said during the press conference.
The local pro rodeo is sanctioned by both the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) and the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association (CPRA).
Kynan Vine, rodeo administrator for the CPRA, described the Innisfail Pro Rodeo as one of the top five pro rodeos in Canada in terms of prize money. Vine helps organize and plan the nearly 50 CPRA events held across the country.
“It's probably one of our top five paying rodeos in Canada. They are shooting at big money. It's also only one head (for all major events). That in itself makes it a little more interesting than something like a short round in Ponoka where you advance and then advance. Here you get just one shot, you go for it. You go big or you go home,” Vine said.
Former pro calf roper Larry Robinson said the Innisfail Pro Rodeo is one of the best pro rodeos around.
“If you are a contestant, it's more money than most rodeos and for the bucking guys they got really good stock all the time and in the timed events they have good stock as well,” Robinson said.
Robinson's horse, Fred, was inducted into the Canadian Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame in 2013. He won't be competing in this year's rodeo, but his sons, Ben and Kirk will.
Advance tickets to the rodeo are available at the Innisfail Auction Market. Tickets will be available daily at the rodeo grounds. A pass includes free parking and free camping.
A rodeo dance will be held nightly, starting Wednesday night following the slack in timed events. Local musician Denver Daines, who is also competing in the saddle bronc event on Friday evening, will headline Saturday night's entertainment.
