The Similkameen News Leader
Sports Page - January 15, 2008
After six years hosting a Canadian Professional Rodeo Association sponsored event, Princeton Rodeo Club decided at their January 11th regular meeting to switch back to the amateur ranks of the British Columbia Rodeo Association.
The advantages to the change are many. The BCRA event is far cheaper to operate than the professional CPRA event and would also allow for local entries, which would mean some of the prize money presented, would stay locally.
The BCRA requires eight mandatory events: Bareback Riding, Saddle Bronc, Bull Riding, Tie-Down Roping, Steer Wrestling, Breakaway Roping, Ladies Barrel Racing and Team Roping. In addition, two junior events are required including Junior Steer Riding and Junior Barrel Racing. There are also a number of optional minor events that can be included during a BCRA-sanctioned rodeo. Another plus is that the minimum purse required is $300.00 per event.
Rodeo Club member Bob Lind summed it up best when comparing the attraction of big name rodeo riders to lesser known riders at the Princeton Rodeo by saying, "People don't come here because there's a (professional) rodeo, they come because there's something going on."
Lind added that the only spectators who would notice a difference in talent would be those considered Oreal rodeo fans' that follow the sport and attend many rodeos in a season.
"I think with the BCRA our entries will go up and we'll still have a good rodeo," added Rodeo Club President Mike Theal.
Princeton Rodeo Club went from the BCRA to CPRA six years ago for what was originally a 5-year experiment with hopes of the event getting bigger and better each year. As it turns out, after half a dozen CPRA rodeos, the Club determined they aren't going to attract any more spectators than they have been over the years and switching back to the BCRA could cut loses.
"As long as we keep going and using our facility, we have to do something here," Lind stated.
Vice President Ken Crompton made the motion to go back to the BCRA. Local bull rider and Club member Brian Rutherford seconded the motion. The motion was carried. President Mike Theal said the dates that have been used by Princeton Rodeo Club were available in the BCRA schedule. Following a discussion on dates, a motion was made by Club member George Elliott to stay with the dates making this years rodeo fall on Saturday and Sunday, May 10th and 11th. Jack Thomas seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
The financial statements show the CPRA event cost the Club more than it made. The income/expense sheet dated for the period of November 15, 2006 to November 19, 2007 shows Rodeo Club revenues totaling $67,903.53 and expenses totaling $75,635.00 leaving a loss of $7,731.47 for the year. Looking at the actual events, the CPRA Rodeo lost $9,546.93 (revenues of $50,944.99 and expenses of $60,491.92) while the Bull-A-Rama made $162.83 (revenues of $13,357.95 and expenses of $13,195.12). The Club has a bank balance of close to $11,000.
The next meeting of Princeton Rodeo Club is set for Friday, February 22nd.
