By Mitch Bach

INTERVIEW: Broncs and Honky Tonks Indoor Rodeo starts Friday

Apr 6, 2017 | 3:02 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — Time to break out the cowboy boots and hat. The rodeo is back in town.

Rodeo season gets underway Friday for the annual Broncs and Honky Tonks Indoor Spring Rodeo, which runs all weekend.

The Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede have been hard at work transforming the Cypress Centre into a rodeo ring, and rodeo athletes are ready to enter the ring to compete for cash.

And fans looking to see high-quality rodeo action are in for a treat.

“We’ve got a great draw this year, probably the best draw we’ve had in, I’d say 10 years,” said Byron Caval, chair of the Stampede’s rodeo board.

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Taking part in this year’s rodeo are three National Finals Rodeo champions, including Levi-Simpson and Jeremy Buhler, who were the first Canadians to win the team roping event. Big Valley’s Zeke Thurston, who won the NFR Saddle Bronc championship, is also on the draw.

The draw also includes Canadian Finals Rodeo Champions Nancy Csabay (barrel racing), Cody Cassidy (steer wrestling) and Jordan Hansen (bull riding). Several local riders are also on the draw, including Jordan Carlier, last year’s bull riding champion. The full draw can be found here. 

Caval says the Stampede puts a lot of work into hosting the Broncs and Honky Tonks Rodeo each year, noting its the first rodeo event of the season where all seven major events (bull riding, bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, team roping, steer wrestling, tie-down roping, barrel racing) are on the schedule.

“The guys are itching to come here and get on their first animal, or rope their first calf,” he said. “It’s exciting for us, because we get to provide that for them.

“We want to make sure everything is just right.”

Caval adds the spring rodeo gives attendees an opportunity to get close to the action.

“Sometimes, you’re going to feel like you’re a part of the action.”

Friday and Saturday’s rodeo gets underway at 7 p.m., while Sunday’s event runs at 1:30 p.m. Individual tickets are $19 for adults and $9 for children 12 and under, and are available at the door each day or online at www.mhstampede.com. Tickets can also be purchased at the Medicine Hat Stampede office or at the Medicine Hat Mall guest services desk.