(Idaho Falls, ID) – Many of the top riders in the world are scheduled to compete in this year’s War Bonnet Round Up, including the number one ranked competitors in Steer Wrestling, Bareback Riding and Bull Riding.
Also scheduled to perform is Stetson Wright, the current number one ranked PRCA all-around leader. In fact, eight of the world’s top 10 All-Around PRCA riders are scheduled to appear at this year’s War Bonnet.
“We have just an amazing lineup of competitors turning out for this year’s rodeo,” said PJ Holm, interim director of the Idaho Falls Parks and Recreation Department. “We are thrilled that so many of the world’s best competitors are going to be here in Idaho Falls. People who come to the rodeo this year are just really in for a treat. These are the best in the world and they are going to be in our arena for the next three days.”
In Steer Wrestling, Ty Erickson leads the PRCA standings. He will be joined by more than 10 of the other top 50 steer wrestlers during the week’s events. Kaycee Field, the number one ranked Bareback Rider returns to the War Bonnet this year along with 20 of the top 50 ranked riders in that category.
Currently in the number one spot in Bull Riding is Stetson Wright, who joins a host of other top 50 bull riders at Idaho’s Oldest Rodeo this weekend, including local cowboy Garret Smith, ranked number eight in the world, from Rexburg, Idaho.
Every single event this year is packed with top 50 talent including Saddle Bronc Riding, Team Roping, Tie Down Roping, and the newest War Bonnet Round Up addition, Women’s Break Away Roping.
The rodeo begins on Thursday, August 1, with gates opening at 5 p.m. The Youth Rodeo events will begin at 7 p.m. and the PRCA rodeo events will start at 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday and at 7:50 p.m. on Saturday.
Thursday is also Family Night with free activities for families to participate in from 5 p.m. until the rodeo starts. Activities will include carnival style games, a petting zoo, western style dance lessons, arts and crafts and a dunk tank.
Each evening will feature amazing wild horse racing sponsored by the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes. This year the War Bonnet Roundup features the World’s Richest Wild Horse Race with prize money totaling more than $15,000 in addition to the newly added Women’s Breakaway Roping.
Friday is Tough Enough to Wear Pink Night sponsored by Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center, rodeo fans are encouraged to wear pink to show their support for breast cancer awareness. Saturday Night is a special Salute to Our Veterans for the community to help honor and recognize the great contributions our men and women in the military have made to protect and defend our country.
Tickets are available online at www.warbonnetroundup.org. Thursday & Friday, tickets are $25 for adults (ages 11 and up), $10 for children (ages 3 - 10) and children 2 years and younger are free. Saturday tickets are $30 for adults (ages 11 and up), $10 for children (ages 3 - 10) and children 2 years and younger are free. An adult must accompany all children. The $5 dollar parking fee is not included in the ticket, however, every parking pass comes with an official rodeo program and day sheet. Tickets are also available at local ticket outlets including Teton Toyota, KJ’s on Sunnyside, Boot Barn, Vickers, Sportsman Warehouse, Idaho Falls Rec Center and C-A-L Ranch.
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Media Note: For more information or to schedule an interview with city or rodeo staff, contact Public Information Officer, Bud Cranor. Media credentials for the rodeo can be obtained by media representatives on assignment from and accredited news agency. Credentials can be obtained from the PIO. Media rules for the Idaho’s Oldest Rodeo, The War Bonnet Roundup, are governed by the PRCA association and can be found online at http://www.prorodeo.com/prorodeo/media/media-guidelines-for-rodeo-coverage