Tickets are on sale now for the second annual Outlaw Buckers and Oil Kings Match Saddle Bronc Riding event being held in Weyburn on June 3rd.
"The top 30 Saddle Bronc Riders in the entire world against some of the best bucking horses in North America. All Canadian-made as well, coming from Outlaw Buckers right here in Weyburn, Saskatchewan. Mr. Jonathan Kmita, alongside C5 Rodeo and of course, the Calgary Stampede Ranch is bringing some horses as well," said show producer Robert Schmidt. "It should be good watching, again for the second year in a row, sanctioned both by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association. We're pretty excited about it.
He noted there is nowhere else in our province to find rodeo competitors of this caliber.
"It's pretty special to have the Calgary Stampede and Outlaw Buckers and the riders that have been to the National Finals Rodeo, the world's best, right here, battling it out in Weyburn."
According to Schmidt, last year's inaugural event was a much greater success than anticipated, with 2,500 people showing up to get a taste of the type of events possible at Weyburn's exhibition grounds.
"It was a packed house, and we're looking to build off that and create a unique experience, a Stampede-style experience, for our spectators and sponsors. We like to get people as close up to the action as we can. We bring in a special set of steel, we add tents, and create that indoor atmosphere at an outdoor event."
Last year's event was held in conjunction with the Saskatchewan Oil and Gas Show, which not only likely boosted the Match Bronc Riding event's attendance, but also provided an opportunity for the Oil and Gas attendees to take in a show they likely would not find at another industry event of its kind.
"They were the presenting sponsors last year, and they've signed on again as presenting sponsors. So alongside the Saskatchewan Oil and Gas Show, we're pretty proud of that accomplishment, to build off of it with the community and surrounding areas of southern Saskatchewan, drawing people in from far and wide for a one-of-a-kind event right here in our city."
Some modifications will be made to the spectators' setup, in hopes of getting general admission ticket-holders even closer to the action.
Tickets are $30 for adults, and free for kids 15 and under. Find them HERE or scan the QR code on an event poster located throughout the community.
"It's all just one general admission ticket, and we want to make it affordable for everybody to come. So you can bring the entire family pay for mom and dad, bring the kids and have them watch the show. Hopefully, it's a nice bright and sunny day for them to hang out there alongside the arena."
"We do want to have some of our contestants and some of our personnel signing autographs and meeting the fans that are there, who don't get the opportunity to see that level of competitor all the time in the province of Saskatchewan. So it'll be cool to have them up close and personal with the world's best and maybe continue to grow the sport of rodeo and showcase rodeo contestants alongside the hard-working people of southern Saskatchewan. That's kind of our goal."
Schmidt said the ticket is ultimately for two shows. A sponsor tailgate party for VIPs will be held at 4:30. The pre-show will start at 6 p.m., with the Match Bronc Riding at 6:30 p.m. Following the main event, an after-party will be held with the performance of a live band to be named at a later date.
"A lot of the riders have come through the ranks of amateur rodeo in Canada, they've come through our local CPA rodeo in Weyburn, and it's pretty cool to see those kids get their start at the rodeo that is alongside the Weyburn Fair, and now competing on a world-class stage on the caliber of horses that they do, it's pretty neat and and interesting to watch if you're a saddle bronc riding fan."
While the event is on a Tuesday evening, Schmidt added he is hoping for good weather. That said, this event is rain or shine, with covered seating for spectators.
"It'll be a good experience for everybody. We hope that it's a bright and sunny evening and a great day for a rodeo."
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