If you asked anyone from anywhere but Tucson, about rodeo break they would probably say, “Rodeo what?!” The rodeo is a big tradition in Tucson. But when it first started in 1925 residents of Tucson weren’t exactly thrilled. Most people thought the rodeo was pointless, and businessmen believed it was a waste of time, although after it was a big hit.( This year the parade is on Thursday February 23 at 9 AM.)

The Tucson rodeo starts on Saturday February 18th and ends on Sunday February 26th.

Tucson rodeo events include:

Bronc Riding:

Where a bronc horse wears a rigging made of leather, placed on his withers and secured with a cinch. The rider must have his spurs touching the horse’s shoulders until the horse’s feet hit the ground. As the bronc horse bucks, the rider must pull his knees up, rolling his spurs up the horse’s shoulders. On the horse’s way down, the cowboy straightens his legs, returning his spurs over the horse’s shoulders. The rider’s goal is to last at least 8 seconds on the horse.

Steer Wrestling:

The point is to steer the horse close enough to the bulldogger and well, jump off and wrestle the young bull to the ground. The goal is to do this in the least amount of time.

Saddle Bronc Riding: 

This is a classic event in the rodeo; it is very similar to normal bronc riding but this time the horse is saddled up. The rider must also follow the same shoulder spur pattern as in bronc riding. The objective is to last at least 8 seconds on the horse.

Tie-down Roping:

A calf is released and the rider and horse go after it. The rider ropes the calf, gets off his horse, turns the calf to the ground, and ties three of the calves’ legs. The goal is to do this in the least amount of time.

Team Roping: 

Like in tie-down a calf is released, but this time two contestants on horses chase after the calf.  One ropes its head and the other ropes the calves’ hind legs. The goal is to do this in the least amount of time.

Women’s Barrel Racing: 

In this event the goal is to race and turn around three barrels that are positioned in the shape of a clover in the least amount of time and this event has no judges.

Bull Riding: 

This is one of the most popular events in the rodeo. The cowboy must get on the back of a 2,000 pound bull(!) doing the same pattern as the bronc and saddle bronc riding in moving his legs up and down the bull’s shoulders. The goal is also to last at least 8 seconds on the bull’s back.

Last year’s Rodeo Parade had more than 900 horses in it. And the Rodeo in general is great fun for people of all ages and it goes on no matter the weather. If for some reason you aren’t able to see parade in person, Tucson News Now does a live streaming.

If you are interested in going the the rodeo here is there webpage with all of their information:

http://www.tucsonrodeo.com/_index.php