Thousands of cowpokes stampede to Morris
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Posted By Lori Penner
Posted 1 month ago
In spite of a soggy start, thousands of rodeo lovers moseyed down to Morris July 22-25 for the 47th annual Manitoba Stampede and Exhibition.
Manitoba's only pro-rodeo began its first day in pouring rain. While slippery track conditions forced them to cancel the chuckwagon races, for the more than 100 rodeo participants, the show went on for other events.
Event spokesman Tim Lewis says it takes a lot to cancel a rodeo. "We had 11 inches of rain in one day back in 1993, but the rodeo still went on," he recalls.
Sunny skies turned things around for the remainder of the weekend, with about 20,000 people filling the grandstand, risking their lunch on the midway or standing in line for curly fries and mini-donuts.
Lewis says the stampede is the town's premier event, with hotels and campsites booked nearly a year in advance.
As always, the four-day event drew some of the top names in bull riding, bronco busting, tie down roping, bareback riding and steer wrestling circles.
And a good number of little tikes competed in the always adorable Manitoba mutton bustin' championships.
Boot stompin' fun took place at the Friday and Saturday night cabaret and the Agricultural Fair offered dairy and horse shows, a pig scramble and a Youth Stars of Manitoba Talent Competition.
This year, the stampede was part of the Canadian Poker Tour, with all day tournaments running from Thursday to Saturday.
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