Bright Lights in Cowtown: Stockyards Championship Rodeo

Every Friday and Saturday night, the Fort Worth Stockyards come alive with the excitement of rodeo action. The Stockyards Championship Rodeo brings the best of the best to the stage at the historic Cowtown Coliseum.

Way back in 1908, Cowtown Coliseum was built as an important piece of the Historic Ft. Worth Stockyards. In just 88 days, the entire project was complete. Cowtown Coliseum is home to the very first indoor rodeo. Since then, some of the biggest rodeos in the country have taken place right there in Ft. Worth. Big names, big crowds, and big payouts are a common occurance at Cowtown.

Cowtown Coliseum is home to weekly open rodeos that draw in the best of the best rodeo athletes. This rodeo is the only year-round weekly rodeo in the world. With added money, contestants compete for a big paycheck each night. The rodeos take place Friday night and Saturday night with the occasional Saturday afternoon perfs. Most performances fill quickly and a slack is held after for more cowboys and cowgirls to chase that prize. Cowtown Coliseum is a small arena calling for fast times and big scores.

Friday and Saturday night performances start at 7:30, and the Saturday Matinee performances start at 1:30. It is not uncommon for the stands to be sold out; some rodeo fans, many tourists, and many who are watching their very first rodeo. Before the rodeo, the audience can enjoy good food, shopping, and live music around the stockyards making for the perfect night on the town.

Gearing up for rodeo time with a sold out crowd.

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As for the contestants, the stockyards are a unique experience. Competition is tough, and the arena is packed and very loud with cheering fans. Rodeo athletes of any age or level can enter what is known as the Northside Rodeo, but they will often be competing against the best professional cowboys and cowgirls, such as World Champion Barrel Racer Hailey Kinsel.

Cindy Reid is the rodeo secretary and has been at it for decades now. She is the backbone of the entry system, payouts, and the contestant side of the rodeo as a whole. You will find draws, results, and other rodeo information proficiently and timely online, thanks to Reid. She is known for taking her 'pay window pics' where she captures the moments the champions of the night pick up their winnings.

Since the beginning of Cowtown Coliseum, over 200,000 competitors, 90,000 bulls, and 120,000 horses have competed on the arena dirt, with a total payout of around 45 million dollars. Athletes come from all over the world to compete at Northside.

Stockyards Championship Rodeo Saturday April 6th 7:30 p.m. Results:

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Whether you are planning a trip to Ft. Worth to visit or are a rodeo athlete looking for your next entry, the Stockyards Championship Rodeo is the place to be. To buy tickets, enter the rodeo, and for more information, visit www.cowtowncoliseum.com.