ALPINE — Slated to be the biggest rodeo event of its kind, the 75th Annual Sul Ross National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association Southwest Region Rodeo kicks off this Thursday afternoon and will be exclusively streamed on the Sul Ross Sports Network, September 24-26 from the S.A.L.E. Arena at Sul Ross State University.
“As many as 17 teams are expected to compete with estimated numbers making this the largest college rodeo held to date,” said Sul Ross rodeo coach C.J. Aragon.
The main rodeo performances begin at 7 p.m. each night with slack events throughout the three days. Events include bareback, saddle bronc and bull riding, tie-down, breakaway and team roping, steer wrestling, goat tying and barrel racing.
The draw and full event schedule will be posted on www.southwestregionrodeo.com.
Those wanting to watch from a safe distance can go online to see the competition, which will include Ky Hamilton, a top ranking bull rider in the world, who is competing on the Sul Ross team. Tune in here: https://livestream.com/srsumedia/sulrossrodeo75
There will be reduced seating capacity at the S.A.L.E. Arena, since all facilities are required to limit capacity to 50% of normal. Within the new capacity, the protocol is to social distance. The S.A.L.E. Arena estimates the revised seating capacity for the rodeo will be 300 spectators.
Due to Governor Abbot’s health protocols, every person in attendance (NIRA members, vendors, coaches, ticket holders, etc.) will be required to wear a face covering except for when eating, drinking or competing, per the governor’s orders.
Tickets are $10.00 for adults and $5.00 for children under 12 and adults over 55. The event is free for SRSU students and employees with ID.
Gates are tentatively set to open at 6:30 p.m., unless otherwise needed to open at a different time. All seating is general admission, in groups no larger than 10. Social distancing guidelines and mask wearing will be enforced.
Guests are not the only ones with new COVID-19 limitations. Only contestants that are up will be allowed in the arena and coaches are strongly encouraged to ask their students to leave the facility once they are finished competing.
No congregating is allowed anywhere on premises, especially outside the concession stands, around the boxes and behind the bucking chutes.
Fans, parents, and spectators will leave immediately after the rodeo is over and all guests must meet the screening criteria at the entrance to attend the rodeo. Family groups are encouraged to arrive together, enter the stadium together, sit together, and leave together.
Sul Ross is permitted to prevent any individual who fails the screening criteria from being admitted into school facilities where rodeo activities are being conducted until they meet the criteria for re-entry.
Sul Ross UPD may remove students or coaches not complying. Changes to the public health situation may necessitate changes to this guidance, the school warned.