(Lander, WY) – The 126th Fremont Toyota Pioneer Days Rodeo, known as “The World’s Oldest Paid Rodeo,” will be held on July 3 and 4 in Lander, Wyoming. As expected, there will be the traditional western rodeo events including Indian relay races, bull riding, saddle bronc and bareback riding, barrel racing and roping. New this year is the Rocky Mountain Region’s Junior World Finals Youth Bull Riding Qualifier event. Youth bull riding is gaining popularity as an extreme sport and training aid for aspiring young bull riders. Watch these youngsters ride mini-bulls and full-grown bulls as they vie for a spot at the Junior Worlds Finals Bull Riding event.
On both evenings, the popular all-Indian relay race with teams from the Wind River Indian Reservation gallop bareback around the track exchanging horses after each lap. In contrast to the extreme bareback riding is a three-person businessman’s ribbon roping event. The first team member must rope the calf, and the second team holds the calf. The third team member grabs the ribbon from the calf’s tail and runs back to the chute for a timed event.
Special kids’ events happen on July 3 for “Little Cowpokes Night.” Kids and adults will all be entertained each night by rodeo clown Timber Tuckness.
For contestants, $8,000 of added money has been added to the winnings. Contestants need to enter on June 19 by calling in their entries. Contestant details are at LOTRA.org.
On the morning of July 4, attend the Pioneer Days Parade starting at 10 a.m. on Main Street. The rodeo events start at 6:30 p.m. nightly, followed by fireworks at the rodeo grounds on July 4 at 10 p.m. Rodeo fans can purchase discounted pre-sale tickets for adults and kids at local merchants and the Lander Chamber of Commerce, or buy tickets at the gate on July 3 and 4. For more information, visit LOTRA.org.