'Bigger every year': 2024 Lethbridge and District Pro Rodeo underway
The 2024 Lethbridge and District Pro Rodeo got underway Thursday evening, featuring the top competitors from across Canada.
Kynan Vine, the rodeo's executive producer, says attendees will be able to see different events over the course of the rodeo's three-day run.
"Bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, bull riding, the rough stock events, tie-down roping, steer wrestling, ladies' barrel racing and then, of course, the newly-added event to pro rodeo: ladies' breakaway roping," he said.
Vine says 2024 marks the third consecutive year that the rodeo has been held, following a six-year cancellation.
Since its return, competitors say they've noticed more excitement.
"They got it back up, got the ball rolling, and are doing an outstanding job," said saddle bronc competitor Zeke Thurston
"This is probably my third time here, and it just gets better and better and bigger every year. The crowds get better."
The Lethbridge and District Pro Rodeo is one of the last stops of the Canadian Pro Rodeo Association season.
"It's a big rodeo, and this time of year it's crunch time for everyone trying to make the Canadian finals and the national finals," said Dawson Hay, the 10th ranked saddle bronc rider in the world.
"It's a huge stop on our way for getting our qualifications."
The 2024 Lethbridge and District Pro Rodeo. Because the Lethbridge and District Pro Rodeo is towardthe end of the season, officials say it has led to more and more big name talent coming to Lethbridge, helping it become one of the premier rodeos in Canada.
"After next weekend, the top 12 competitors in each event qualify for the Canadian finals rodeo, so it's bumped up by about a month, being that the Canadian finals is the first week of October this year," Vine said.
"I think that's really helped make sure we get the best contestants, because they're all taking one last crack at making it to the Canadian finals."
The 2024 Lethbridge and District Pro Rodeo. The 2024 Lethbridge and District Pro Rodeoruns until 7 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
2 dead, third in critical condition after attack in Kingston, Ont., suspect arrested
Two people are dead and a third suffered life-threatening injuries following an attack at an encampment in Kingston, Ont. Thursday. A suspect has been arrested following a multi-hour standoff.
B.C. will scrap carbon tax if feds remove requirement: Eby
British Columbia’s premier says the province will end the consumer carbon tax if the federal government removes the legal requirement to have one.
Trump rules out another debate against Harris as her campaign announces US$47M haul in hours afterward
Donald Trump on Thursday ruled out another presidential debate against Kamala Harris as her campaign announced a massive fundraising haul in the hours after the two candidates met on stage.
'Keep your bags packed': Consul general grilled over $9M NYC condo purchase
After weeks of pressure, Canada's consul general Tom Clark is testifying on Thursday before a House of Commons committee about the purchase of his new official residence in New York that generated a lot of political attention over the summer.
Family of Sikh man speaks out against Toronto-area hospital after beard shaved
The family of a Sikh man from Brampton is seeking an apology, an explanation, and a promise to do better from the local hospital network after they say the facial hair of their loved one was removed without their consent.
TIFF pauses screenings of documentary about Russian soldiers due to 'significant threats'
The Toronto Film Festival says it has been forced to pause the screenings of a documentary about Russian soldiers this weekend, citing 'significant threats to festival operations and public safety.'
Georgia judge dismisses two criminal counts against Trump, court filing shows
A Georgia judge on Thursday dismissed two criminal counts in the U.S. state's 2020 election interference case against Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and one other count against allies of the former president.
This Italian lawyer says he thought he was buying a regular print of Churchill, not the 'mythical' stolen portrait
When Nicola Cassinelli, Italian lawyer and occasional art collector, bid on a portrait of the late U.K. prime minister Winston Churchill, he says, he didn't know it would land him in the centre of an international criminal investigation.
NEW N.B. premier’s asylum seeker comments spark controversy
Claims from New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs that Ottawa wants to force the province to take in 4,600 asylum seekers are "largely fictitious," says federal Immigration Minister Marc Miller.