Rodeo action in The Natural State excites crowds with everything from saddle bronc riding, breakaway roping, goat tying, steer wrestling and calf roping to team roping, barrel racing, cutting, bull riding, bareback riding and pole bending.
Talented athletes take part in events ranging from open horse shows in Quitman to bull riding in Ash Flat and clinics around the state. Arkansas cowgirl rodeo royalty hold court over rodeos and parades. And, of course, a rodeo wouldn't be a rodeo without the always entertaining clowns.
From high school to amateur to pro rodeo events, wranglers, ropers and rodeo fans have plenty of thrills and spills events from which to choose.
Springdale's foremost event for more than 60 years, the annual Rodeo of the Ozarks, celebrates our nation's birthday each year on July 1-4 while giving audiences the opportunity to experience part of our country's heritage through professional rodeo. More than 500 contestants and professional athletes compete in seven Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) and Women's Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA) sanctioned events - tie down roping, steer wrestling, barrel racing, bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, team roping, and the ever-popular bull riding. Fireworks take place after each performance with a huge show on the July 4. Two great parades fill downtown Emma Street on July 1 and 4.
For more than 70 years, the annual Old Fort Days Rodeo in Fort Smith has been entertaining rodeo enthusiasts with talented cowboys, high prize money and quality rodeo livestock. The fast paced action includes calf roping, barrel racing, wild horse racing, bareback riding, steer wrestling, saddle bronc riding, the Old Fort Days Dandies, and bull riding. It is held at Kay Rodgers Park, which is also home to the Arkansas Oklahoma State Fair, Old Fort Days Futurity and the Hangin' Judge High School Rodeo.
For more than 50 years, Calico Rock has held an annual rodeo and parade. Huntsville offers a Western Round Up Dance of live music, toe tappin', knee slappin' fun in preparation for its IPRA Rodeo, which has been an annual event for more than a decade. With participants from around the country, events include mutton bustin', a grand entry, and more. A rodeo parade is comprised of local riding clubs, quadrille groups and the Rodeo Queen and her court.
Arkansas State Fair Rodeo
Rodeos, livestock shows and horse shows are ubiquitous to county fairs. Youngsters can compete in events such as calf scrambles, wild cow milking, and mutton bustin'. The Arkansas State Fair is home to an annual professional Little Rock rodeo as well.
Rodeo venues include Alltel Arena in North Little Rock, Parsons Stadium in Springdale, Kay Rodgers Park in Fort Smith, Barton Coliseum in Little Rock, and other smaller locales.
You can even find the Rodeo Caf in Beebe.
Arkansas is teeming with organizations with a unique love for all aspects of the sport. If you are looking to buy, sell, or trade equipment from bridles to horse trailers, these associations can help with that too.
Check out these Web sites for information: