The top Cowboys and Cowgirls in the sport of professional rodeo make their way to Lake Havasu to compete in all 7 major events of rodeo (Bareback Riding, Steer Wrestling, Tie Down Roping, Saddle Bronc Riding, Team Roping, Barrel Racing and Bull Riding). The Havasu Stampede is proud to be a part of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association.

Events:

Bareback Riding:
Bareback Bronc Riding, where the rider is only allowed to hang onto a bucking horse with a type of surcingle called a "rigging"

Saddle Bronc Riding:
Saddle Bronc Riding, where the rider uses a specialized western saddle without a horn (for safety) and hangs onto a heavy lead rope, called a bronc rein, which is attached to a halter on the horse.

Tie Down Roping:
also called calf roping, is based on ranch work in which calves are roped for branding, medical treatment, or other purposes. It is the oldest of rodeo's timed events. The cowboy ropes a running calf around the neck with a lariat, and his horse stops and sets back on the rope while the cowboy dismounts, runs to the calf, throws it to the ground and ties three feet together. (If the calf falls when roped, the cowboy must lose time waiting for the calf to get back to its feet so that the cowboy can do the work.) The job of the horse is to hold the calf steady on the rope. A well-trained calf-roping horse will slowly back up while the cowboy ties the calf, to help keep the lariat snug.

Steer Wrestling:
Also known as "Bulldogging," is a rodeo event where the rider jumps off his horse onto a Corriente steer and 'wrestles' it to the ground by grabbing it by the horns. This is probably the single most physically dangerous event in rodeo for the cowboy, who runs a high risk of jumping off a running horse head first and missing the steer, or of having the thrown steer land on top of him, sometimes horns first.

Team Roping:
also called "heading and heeling," is the only rodeo event where men and women riders compete together. Two people capture and restrain a full-grown steer. One horse and rider, the "header," lassos a running steer's horns, while the other horse and rider, the "heeler," lassos the steer's two hind legs. Once the animal is captured, the riders face each other and lightly pull the steer between them, so that both ropes are taut. This technique originated from methods of capture and restraint for treatment used on a ranch.

Barrel Racing:
is a timed speed and agility event. In barrel racing, horse and rider gallop around a cloverleaf pattern of barrels, making agile turns without knocking the barrels over. In professional, collegiate and high school rodeo, barrel racing is an exclusively women's sport, though men and boys occasionally compete at local O-Mok-See competition. Barrel racing takes place with other PRCA sanctioned events, but it is sanctioned by the WPRA. Results are shown on that website

Bull Riding:
an event where the cowboys ride full-grown bulls instead of horses. Although skills and equipment similar to those needed for bareback bronc riding are required, the event differs considerably from horse riding competition due to the danger involved. Because bulls are unpredictable and may attack a fallen rider, rodeo clowns, now known as "bullfighters", work during bull-riding competition to distract the bulls and help prevent injury to competitors.

Mutton Busting:
Mutton busting is an event held at rodeos similar to bull riding or bronc riding, in which children ride or race sheep. This is not a PRCA event. Available to sign up below! must be between ages of 4 and 7 and under 80 lbs.

Date: March 15 - 17, 2024

Hours:

Friday March 15, 2024 - 7:00 p.m
Saturday March 16, 2024 - 7:00 p.m
Sunday March 17, 2024 - 3:00 p.m

Location:

Lake Havasu Rodeo Grounds
7602 Dub Campbell Pkwy
Lake Havasu, AZ 86406

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