ProRodeo Sports News - July 10, 2020

PRORODEO REGISTRATION

Entries on the rise following COVID-19 event shutdown Cowboys Up

BY MATT NABER T he ever-changing COVID-19 guidelines across the country made for a stressful endeavor for ProRodeo committees and volunteers. But the fruits of their labor were enjoyed by more contestants than ever, and fans eagerly packed the grandstands or tuned in to the action onThe Cowboy Channel, depending on their region’s regulations. Cave Creek (Ariz.) Rodeo Days in late May was the first ProRodeo competition to be held after the COVID-19 hiatus, and according to Cave Creek Rodeo Days committee president Beth Cornell, the rodeo had double its typical number of contestants with 397 entered.

“It was shocking,” Cornell laughed. “We thought we would be running slack until 2 a.m., and one night we almost did.” The trend continued as the

summer run heated up. The Woodward (Okla.) Elks Rodeo traditionally has 300-350 contestants, but after moving to June in 2018 their entries increased to 587. The 2020 rodeo blew that record out of the water with 796 entries. Both the quantity and the quality of competitors went up for Woodward. Twelve of the Top 15 bareback riders in the 2020 PRCA | RAMWorld Standings at the time competed inWoodward. “When the list filled up, I said, ‘Wow, you won’t believe the list of

ProRodeo Sports News 7/10/2020

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