Indian National Finals Rodeo qualifier being held in Lethbridge Aug. 7-8

Horse racing is back on at the Rocky Mountain Turf Club once again. The 2021 Canadian Indian National Finals Tour Rodeo will be in Lethbridge this weekend. 

The Canadian Indian National Finals Tour Rodeo, is the first of its kind in Canada, is being put on by the Blood Tribe Ag Society from Aug. 7 to 8 at the Rocky Mountain Turf Club. Blood Tribe Ag Society board member, Wayna Beebe, says after a long 17 months without any rodeos, everyone is excited to be back. 

The Ag Society will be hosting 16 events including, tie down roping, team roping, ladies breakaway, barrels and rough stock events among others. The winner of each event moves on to the Indian National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas from Oct. 19 to 23. 

Due to border restrictions, cowboys and cowgirls in Canada haven’t been able to compete in rodeos in the U.S.A. with this being the first opportunity they’ve had since March 2020. CEO of the Rocky Mountain Turf Club, Max Gibb, says they are pleased to partner with the Ag Society and bring horse racing back to the community, which has been missed by many over the past year. 

Roughly 300 cowboys and cowgirls are anticipated to be in Lethbridge this weekend, with the addition of their families and supporters. Beebe adds, the rodeo is expected to bring in a good chunk of economic revenue to the city. 

If everything goes as planned, the Ag Society hopes to make this an annual event. 

Up for grabs, is a combined $50,000, with $2,000 allocated to each event. The show time is 6 p.m. on Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $15 per person, six and under are free as well as Elders are able to enjoy the events for free.