2012 Ellicottville Championship Rodeo

The 2012 Ellicottville Championship Rodeo is a four day event that brings championship bull riding, barrel racing, roping steering and other rodeo events to the hills of Ellicottville! The rodeos are on July 5 through July 7, 2012 at 7:00 pm and July 8, 2012 at 2:00 pm at the Sommerville Riding Stables located at 6319 Sommerville Valley Rd. Ellicottville, NY 14731. This exciting rodeo returns to Ellicottville every summer and provides thrills and excitement for people of all ages!

THE VENUE

Sommerville Riding Stables is an outdoor venue is located just outside of Ellicottville, NY. There are grandstands that surround the rodeo, where everyone has a great seat! Organized parking is available at the stables and is right next to the venue.There is a rodeo midway that open 2 hours in advance of the rodeo and as always the infamous “chicken bar-b-que” is served at the rodeo kitchen. There are contract acts, as well as IRPA permits, locals and youth cards entering the rodeo. The rodeo has over 350 rodeo athletes that perform. In 2011, the purse paid out over $26,000 to the winning athletes in the 7 standard rodeo events.

THE COMPETITION

The athletes will compete in 7 standard rodeo events which include Bareback Bronc, Bull Riding, Saddle Bronc, Tie-Down Roping, Steer Wrestling, Cowgirl Barrel Racing, and Team Roping. Additionally the rodeo also has Hardway Buckout Junior Bull Riding, contract acts and clown! The barrelman is usually the specialty act and puts on quite a show. The bull fighters, pickup men and barrelman provide safety support for the athletes a well as entertainment.

The Ellicottville Championship Rodeo is one of the largest IRPA/ARPA rodeos in the northeast. The rodeo is backed by two respected organization in the industry. Both organizations record best times, maintains event records, and offer standings throughout the season to find the overall champions in their respective categories. There season ending rodeos determine the champions each year. The 2012 champions are determined in the IRPA is at the International Finals Rodeo 42 in Oklahoma City from January 13th to the 15th, while the ARPA is at the American Finals Rodeo 35 Shartlesville, PA from October 12th through the 14th.

THE ORGANIZATIONS

The International Professional Rodeo Association was founded in 1957 by two rodeo promoters. They formed the Interstate Rodeo Association, IRA, as a rodeo management organization and a sanctioning body. In 1964, the Interstate Rodeo Association changed its name to the International Rodeo Association, with headquarters in Pauls Valley, OK, where the association was located until April 1993. Offices are now headquartered in Oklahoma City adjacent to the historic Oklahoma City Stockyards. The word “Professional” was officially added to the association’s name in 1983 giving birth to the next generation of cowboys and cowgirls in the International Professional Rodeo Association. The International Pro Rodeo Association is proud to celebrate 52 years of rodeo excellence. All judges in 2012 must be certified in IRPA rules.

The American Professional Rodeo Association (APRA) sanctions rodeos with bull riding, bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping, team roping, barrel racing, steer wrestling, and breakaway roping. The organization is based out of Howard, PA and has sanctioned rodeos in Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia and surrounding areas! They independently sanction rodeos as will as co-sanction with the IRPA and the Southern Rodeo Association (SRA). All judges must be certified with APRA rules.

TICKETS AND INFORMATION*

Tickets are General Admission and are good for only one show. The ticket prices and packages are the following:

Adult $15.00

Child $8.00

4 Performance Pass Adult $ 50.00
4 Performance Pass Child $ 25.00

Kids Under 5 FREE

Tickets Available only at the Gate

For information visit the rodeo website at: www.ellicottvillerodeo.com

LODGING

There are lodging packages in the area with hotel, vacation rentals and bed and breakfast inns. Vacation rentals allow a group of people to lodge for less and include full kitchens and other amenities. All are close by and have a variety of features and occupancies. Some local websites with vacation rentals bed and breakfast, hotels and other lodging are http://www.rustedwindmill.com/, www.holidayvalley.com and www.ellicottvilleny.com.

The 2012 Ellicottville Championship rodeo provides plenty of rodeo action to excite the crowd. Whether this is your first time to the rodeo or the 20th time, you will still find great excitement and true performance from the athletes. The venue is close to downtown Ellicottville, which is a great place to unwind after the rodeo events. You won't be disappointed if you make the journey to see this fantastic rodeo in 2012.

*Ticket prices are provided at the time of publication and are subject to change. They are set and maintained by the Ellicottville Rodeo management company. See the Ellicottville Rodeo website.