The Little Britches Rodeo final event of the season will be in Barriere this August. This year will also be the 25 anniversary of Little Britches Rodeo in B.C., and Barriere cowboys and cowgirls are looking forward to celebrating this milestone at the accompanying awards banquet which will be held with the finals event.
Young competitors travel all over the province throughout the rodeo season as they competing on the Little Britches circuit. The final event will see many coming long distances from both north and south to compete at the NT Fall Fair facility in Barriere.
Bringing the Little Britches back to Barriere, after it has not been here for a number of years has come about by the enthusiasm of area residents Frank and Chantelle Holt. Frank says to put it all together, and to encourage more rodeo events in the area, he believes the time is right for the forming of the North Thompson Rodeo Club. He notes the first meeting of the club will be held this Tuesday, May 8, 7 p.m. at the Station House Restaurant in Barriere. Anyone interested in rodeo is invited to attend and find out what the club has planned. Anyone willing to lend some time to help get the Barriere Little Britches Rodeo up and running are especially encouraged to attend.
“We are asking people to join up, or just come out and find out what we are all about,” said Frank, “We really need some help putting on this year’s Little Britches Rodeo, and we are also hoping to bring the High School Rodeo back here to Barriere in 2013.”
The area’s high school rodeo, after some 35 years in Barriere, has also not held in the community for a number of years, and most recently was held in Whispering Pines for 2012.
Frank says Dick and Carmen Ross are a big plus in helping his group to get the Little Britches Rodeo underway again for Barriere, and notes they have many years of experience when it comes to this event.
“It’s all coming together,” said Frank. “We have some great sponsors on board and we are very excited to be able to bring it home to Barriere. Now we need a few folks to come out and help us put all the pieces in place.”
If you would like more information about the Little Britches Rodeo, or the North Thompson Rodeo Club, call Frank Holt at 250-318-1374.
* A non-profit organization, the BC Little Britches Rodeo Association along with local rodeo clubs throughout the province host rodeos throughout the spring, summer and fall. Communities from Chilliwack in the Fraser Valley to Oliver and Vernon in the Okanagan to several Interior towns including 100 Mile House and as far north as Prince George participate.
This is a family oriented sport that benefits these young competitors in several ways including the responsibility they learn through caring for their animals, as well as the respect, camaraderie and sportsmanship they gain as competitors.
Little Britches Rodeos booked so far for 2012 are:
• 100 Mile House, May 19
• Merritt, June 2 & 3
• Langley, June 23
Entries: June 13, 2012
• Armstrong, Aug. 11 & 12
• Prince George, Aug 18 & 19
• Barriere, Aug. 24 & 25
For more info go to: www.bclbra.org