Cowboy Capital of the World PRCA Rodeo moves event to the end of September

STEPHENVILLE, Texas – More people needed more of a chance to see a great event.

“We wanted to accommodate our little town, and we want to make a bigger and better rodeo,” said Chad Decker, the chairman of the volunteer committee that produces the Cowboy Capital of the World PRCA Rodeo, set for 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 28, and Saturday, Sept. 29, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 30, at Lone Star Arena.

For years, the Stephenville rodeo took place in mid-June. The move to the end of the regular season was done with fan and contestants in mind.

“With college kids in town, our population doubles,” Decker said. “In June, the college population wasn’t here. We’re trying to do the best job for the community.

“We’re also trying to get the cowboys and cowgirls. Now that it’s one of the last rodeos of the year, we feel like we’re going to be the rodeo they’ll all want to get to. We’ve got some Texas Circuit guys that are on the bubble for the circuit finals, and we’ve got some guys that are trying to make the NFR that are on the bubble. We’re giving them the chance to make it.”

That’s quite a drawing card, and fans will expect to see some great things happening inside Lone Star Arena.

“We’ve got a great facility, a covered arena with all the amenities,” Decker said. “We’ve got a great cowboy church, and we’ll have chuck wagon meals for the contestants. That’ll be a neat deal where they can get a home-cooked meal while they’re here.”

Those are great amenities, but there is also something about the competition. Roughstock cowboys will test their talents on some of the best livestock in the game provided by Carr Pro Rodeo, a Dallas-based stock contractor that has produced the Stephenville rodeo for several years. But Erath County and the surrounding area is chalk full of great timed-event contestants, too.

“For our demographics, we have several guys that live in our 100-square-mile area that can come in here and compete for circuit points for the circuit finals,” Decker said. “It was a change that needed to take place for the community and for our sponsors.

“I think the change is good for the cowboys. It’s a win-win for everybody.”

More than 300 contestants have signed up to be part of the festivities, so the signs are pointing as though the move was in the right direction.

“We’re very pleased with the numbers, especially this being the first rodeo since the date change,” Decker said.