Area rodeo fans will be treated to three days of fast-paced action, April 19-21, when the 47^th annual Tarleton Stampede comes to Lone Star Arena. The event serves as the season finale for the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association’s Southwest Region, and determines which cowboys and cowgirls will earn a trip to the College National Finals Rodeo.

 

Sixteen colleges from across the region will be competing in nine events: bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, bull riding, tie-down roping, team roping, steer wrestling, barrel racing, breakaway roping and goat tying. The students will be vying to qualify for the college finals in Casper, Wyo. in June.

 

Contenders will compete for event and team championships, as well as the Southwest region year-end event and team championships. 

Award-winning announcer Ben Clements will be back again this year, and Mitch Terrell’s TNT Rodeo Co. will serve as the stock contractor.

 

Performances will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday with the rodeo slack slated for both Friday and Saturday at 8:30 a.m. The Texan ladies breakaway roping competition will take place at 1 p.m., Saturday, with the Southwest region awards ceremony following the evening’s performance.

 

The Little Texan Rodeo, featuring a muttin’ bustin’ event, will kick things off Thursday at 6 p.m. The event is open to the first 20 entrants, who may register Thursday at 6 p.m. at the arena. Entry is free and youth must not weigh more than 55 pounds to compete. The TSU rodeo team has also provided complimentary tickets to area elementary school students.

 

Admission to the Tarleton Stampede is $8 per day for adults while children under 12 are admitted free. Tickets may be purchased at the gate.

 

For more information about Tarleton’s rodeo program, please contact rodeo coach Mark Eakin at 254-968-9187.