The long-standing tradition of rodeo in the South Cariboo carries on with the 47th Annual South Cariboo Little Britches Rodeo, May 18.
Hosted by the 100 Mile & District Outriders Club, it takes place at the Outriders Arena, where young cowboys and cowgirls will compete in old-time favourites, such as steer riding, stake race, goat tail tying, barrel racing, dummy roping and more.
A new event, chute dogging, made its debut at last year's rodeo and was such a hit, organizers chose to keep it on the program. It's an exciting contest between boy and calf, where a calf is sent running out of the chute, and the cowboy has to wrestle it to the ground using weight and momentum.
It's a full day of fun and entertainment, with gates open at 8:30 a.m. and junior events getting underway at 9 a.m.
There's a break for lunch and then the action picks up again with the Grand Entry, featuring the Cariboo Cowgirls horseback drill team.
The first rodeo event of the afternoon is mutton busting, during which children under the age of six, and weighing less than 50 pounds (22 kilograms), set out on a wild ride on the back of a sheep.
The cost to enter is $5 and entries will be taken at the rodeo office on the grounds, on the day of the event.
It is recommended that contestants bring their own safety helmet, but there will be helmets available.
There will be another round of mutton busting midway through the afternoon, when the senior events are featured.
The rodeo is sanctioned by the British Columbia Little Britches Rodeo Association (BCLBRA) and is expected to draw competitors, under the age of 15, from all over B.C.
Outriders’ vice-president Denise Little notes BCLBRA sanctioning of the event attracts a greater number and wider range of entrants.
"We pull more from different areas of the province because, in addition to the day prizes, there's competition for points for overall standings."
She expects to see a fair number of local competitors this year, as there's been a recent surge in younger local children taking up rodeo.
"We got to the phase when kids got to the top of the age category and moved on, but it seems we have a new group coming up."
Club director Ron Szigety says he hopes to run a greased pig contest for all children aged nine years and under, but that requires someone offering the use of a young pig. It will be a free event, with a prize of $50.
Admission to the rodeo is $10 for adults and $5 for seniors and students. Children six and under get in free.
It includes access to the Ranch and Country Show, which runs May 18-20 and features ranch, farm and forestry equipment and a number of vendor booths offering everything from horse tack to jewelry.
The Outriders Arena is located on Airport Road, behind the South Cariboo Rec. Centre.