Rodeo on the Horizon; No Queen Contest This Year
As the Rodeo gets ready to roll into town, cowboys and cowgirls alike will notice something missing this year as the Palo Pinto County Livestock Association celebrates its 86th year of the local event.
While the traditions of a Street Dance and Parade will continue this year, the long standing Rodeo Queen contest will not take place in 2023. There were not enough contestants this year according to an event official.
We reached out to the PPCLA and asked if this had ever happened before and they could only think of one other year a Queen was not be named.
“I had 4 commit, two of them backed out the day before the mandatory meeting, then one more after the meeting. We have to have at least 2 to have a contest,” commented the official.
Another event at the rodeo that is a little different this year is the highly popular Mutton Busting.
NEW 2023 Mutton Bustin’ Information:
They are changing up the way they do the mutton bustin’ event this year. In year’s past, organizers had to turn people away due to a restricted number of participants each night, so this year they will have a qualifying tournament.
Qualifying Tournament Information:
- Date: Saturday, May 13, 2023
- Time: Registration begins at 8:00 am (and continues until everyone has ridden)
- Riding begins at 9:00 am
- Location: PPCLA Rodeo Arena
- Cost: $25.00 (Cash or Check Only)
The child must be at least 3 years old and must weigh no more than 60 pounds and they must be present at signups to verify age and weight. There are no exceptions. Parent/guardian must be present to sign waiver. In addition, ropes, harnesses, and spurs are prohibited while participants are riding.
The top 30 times (length of ride) during the qualifying will advance to the rodeo performances top 10 times will ride on Saturday, May 20th
- next 10 times will ride on Friday, May 19th
- next 10 times will ride on Thursday, May 18th
There will be NO walk-up registrations on the night of the rodeos.
Rodeo performance qualifiers will receive a t-shirt and the top scorer in each rodeo performance will win a buckle.
The Rodeo performances begin at 7pm each night starting Thursday, May 18th. The Rodeo Parade and Street Dance are this Saturday May 13th and features the Rowdy Decker Band.
Rodeo Tickets Can Be Bought By Clicking Here or inside Community National Bank, First Financial Bank or the MW Chamber of Commerce.
