The Similkameen News Leader
Sports Page - August 05, 2008
RODEO CLUB HOSTS BULLRIDING FINALS
The Princeton Rodeo Club has been approached by the B.C. Professional Bullriders (BCPB) to host their season ending Finals.
The BCPB sanctions bullriding events across British Columbia from News Year's Eve until the fall. The season winds up with a final event where the champions are declared.
The two day program sees the top twenty qualifiers from the seasons standings competing in two go
'rounds each day. In addition, on Sunday afternoon, the top 10 riders get a final ride to determine the overall champion. A grand total of 90 rides over two days! In the the past the event has been staged in different communities each year. This required the BCPB to train a new host committee to run the event every year. As a result they have decided to try and find a permanent home for their event. Princeton was asked to take it on because we have a strong rodeo committee and an excellent facility. After conducting our due diligence, which included speaking with the committees that have hosted the finals over the last three years, the rodeo club has decided to host the event on September 13th and 14th of this year. We have also requested and been granted an option to put it on for the next five years. We believe that this event has the potential to become a first class attraction for our town at a time (third weekend of September) when we most need it.
As we all know our local businesses are run off their feet during the summer. For the most part, however, this ends after the Labour Day weekend.
The Finals, which are the culmination of many events that have taken place across the province, will provide a drawing card that cannot help but benefit our town economy. Further, it is our hope that many of the service clubs in town will become involved to sponsor add-on events such as cowboy poetry reading, wine tasting, barn dances, etc. which would enhance the flavor and make the weekend one of Princeton's major celebrations.
