Grab your boots and join us for the 63rd annual American Royal ProRodeo! This event will be the last PRCA rodeo of the 2012 season, making Kansas City a must-stop for ProRodeo's best! Come early for live music, shopping, dinner, and lots of family-friendly activities. Stay late to hear your favorite country music entertainers. Check out the 2012
Entertainment Lineup! We'll see you in September!
ProRodeo Wins PRCA Remuda Award
The 2011 American Royal ProRodeo was awarded the PRCA “Remuda” Award. The prestigious award, created by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) in 2004, is given to the organization which provides the most elite pen of rodeo stock. The American Royal joins an elite group of the top rodeos who have received this award. The rodeo was also one of five finalists nominated for the coveted PRCA Large Indoor Rodeo of the Year.
Rodeo 101
Bareback Riding - This is a physically demanding event and there is no saddle involved. The rider is judged on his spurring technique, the degree his toes remain turned away from the horse and his willingness to lean far back on the bronc. Bareback riding requires the rider to "mark out" his horse which means placing his feet above the horse's shoulders until the animal's front feet hit the ground on it's first move out of the chute.
Steer Wrestling - The objective of steer wrestling is to wrestle a steer to the ground using only leverage and strength. The steer wrestler begins his run behind a barrier along with a second cowboy whose task it is to keep the steer from veering away from the steer wrestler. After the steer reaches the score line, the barrier is released and the steer wrestler and second cowboy chase the steer on their specially trained quarter horses. The steer wrestler hooks his right arm around the steer's right horn and grasps the left horn in his left hand, then digs his heels in the dirt and uses leverage to bring down the steer. All of the happens in 3 to 5 seconds.
Team Roping - This event takes great cooperation between two cowboys and their horses. The steer is given a head start. The first cowboy, the headers, waits behind a barrier. The second cowboy, or heeler, follows after the header has started his pursuit when the barrier is dropped. The header is the first to rope and must catch the steer around the horse, around one horn and the head or around the neck. The heeler then ropes the steer's hind feet. Catching only one foot results in a five - second penalty. The clock is stopped when there is no slack in the rope and the ropers are facing each other. The lowest time wins.
Saddle Bronc Riding - A Saddle Bronc rider's feet must touch the horse's shoulders on the first jump out of the chute. If the cowboy fails to have his feet in place at the beginning of the ride, he is disqualified and will receive no score. A Saddle Bronc ride is judged on a cowboy's spurring action, his control of the horse, and the degree to which his toes are turned out.
Tie Down Roping - This event is judged solely on the basis of elapsed time. The credit for success should go to the horse. Roping horses may be any breed, but because of their natural speed, quarter horses are the most popular. If the rider 'breaks the chute barrier', a ten - second penalty is added to the time. When the cowboy completes his tie on the calf, he must get back on the horse as the rope slackens. This proves the tie and must hold for six seconds.
Barrel Racing - Cowgirls may only participate in Barrel Racing. The rider must complete a cloverleaf pattern with three barrels placed about one hundred feet apart. Any other pattern will disqualify the rider and there is a five - second penalty for every barrel that is knocked over. Once around all three barrels in the correct pattern, the contestant streaks across the finish line and the official time is taken.
Bull Riding - Bull riding requires balance, coordination, quick reflexes, flexibility and a positive mental attitude. The bull rider holds a flat - braided rope that is wrapped around his riding hand. He nods his head as a signal for the chute gate tobe opened and the ride begins.