The PRCA Rodeo Returns

The Friday night rodeo, which has been a Midwest Horse Fair® favorite for many years, will again return for the 2012 event. The Midwest Horse Fair® PRCA Rodeo presented by Blain's Farm & Fleet and Nutrena will be host to top professional cowboys and cowgirls. It will be held on April 20, 2012 at 7:30 PM.

With over 60 years experience in the rodeo arena, Barnes PRCA Rodeo will be bringing back their world-class events for another year. Barnes PRCA Rodeo, the longest family run rodeo business in the U.S., will present the seven standard competitions at a PRCA rodeo.

A separate ticket is required for the evening shows. Reserved-seat tickets for the Midwest Horse Fair® PRCA Rodeo presented by Blain's Farm & Fleet and Nutrena are now on sale. Reserve your seat today! Please note that the Coliseum will be cleared each night and spectators must have a ticket to re-enter for the Friday night rodeo.

The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA), the governing body of rodeo in North America, will sanction the Midwest Horse Fair® Rodeo, presented by Blain's Farm & Fleet and Nutrena. Over 600 PRCA rodeos are held each year.

Take a look at the list below to learn about the seven standard rodeo events:

• Saddle Bronc Riding, Bareback Riding and Bullriding: The goal for each rider is to stay on the bucking horse or bull for a full eight seconds. The cowboys are allowed to hang on with one hand, but watch the other, because if that free hand touches the animal, themselves or their gear, the rider is disqualified. Saddle Bronc Riding traces its history back to the days of breaking horses in the Old West. The rider has a special saddle with no horn and uses one hand to hold a rein attached to the bronc's hal¬ter. Bareback Riding has no saddle, instead the rider holds on to a special rigging. The Bullrider takes hold of a flat braided rope and signals his readiness. The bull usually explodes out of the chute and the cowboy must use all his skill and talent to match that animal's movement to stay onboard.

• Steer Wrestling: The cowboy, known as the bulldogger, is racing against time to wrestle his steer to the ground. There is a second rider, the hazer, who makes sure the steer runs in a straight line. The timer stops once all four legs of the steer are off the ground.

• Team Roping: Communication is needed between the "header," the cowboy who will rope the front of the steer, and the "heeler," the one responsible for roping the hind legs. This timed event traces its roots back to ranch work, to catch large steers.

• Tie-Down Roping: The cowboy is timed as he ropes a calf, jumps off his horse, gets the calf to the ground (known as flanking) and ties three legs together with a pigging string. The cowboy will throw his arms in the air to signal that the calf is tied. He must then mount his horse, loosen the rope on the calf and wait six seconds to make sure the calf stays tied.

• Barrel Racing: Cowgirls compete and these women are riding to win. Speed, detail and accuracy are the only requirements. The barrels are run in a cloverleaf pattern and the fastest time wins. Knocking over a barrel will result in a time penalty.
Don't miss a night of unforgettable entertainment!