The best of the best will be crowned as climax to rodeo action this weekend in Topeka.
It’s the United Rodeo Association (URA) Finals Friday, Saturday and Sunday, November 1-2-3, in Domer Arena at the Stormont Vail Events Center.
According to Muff McGee, longtime URA secretary, the championship rodeo features the top 15 contestants in each of nine events.
“URA is a non-profit organization established in 1962 that sanctions rodeos primarily in a nine state area,” McGee said.
There are URA rodeos in Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Minnesota, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. “The season begins in early fall after the finals rodeo point cutoff,” McGee explained.
Events are bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, bull Riding, women’s barrel racing, calf roping, forty and over calf roping, breakaway roping, steer wrestling and team roping.
“We have certain different events than some typical rodeo circuits making URA competitions appealing to additional rodeo contestants,” McGee said.
With more than 800 members, URA approves or co-approves an average of more than 100 rodeos annually. “A number of world champion rodeo cowboys and cowgirls have previously competed in URA rodeos,” McGee pointed out.
“Our strength is in giving solid support to regional rodeo within our established territory. We continue to grow on that basis.” McGee emphasized.
“Our primary goal is to work cooperatively with committees, stock contractors, members and contestants for our mutual success,” she added.
Discussing the upcoming finals, McGee said the Healthy Coat Round is Friday and Wild Horse Saloon Night is Saturday. Both evening performances begin at 7 o’clock.
Cowboy Church has been scheduled for Sunday morning at 9:30, with the Championship Round starting at noon Sunday.
Tickets are available at the door with reduced child admission.
McGee emphatically recognized rodeo sponsors: “Ram Rodeo, Briggs Dodge, Healthy Coat, Strathman Sales, Wild Horse Saloon, Meriden Animal Hospital and R Bar B.”
Information can be found at www.unitedrodeoassociation.com