Free rodeo day camp a path for future stars
By Johnna Espinoza/ProRodeo.com

Is another Billy Etbauer or Will Lowe among us, or maybe a Justin McDaniel, Taos Muncy or Steven Dent?

A free ProRodeo day camp in Oklahoma may help identify and encourage just that – the next generation of rodeo stars.

The inaugural PRCA Championship Rodeo Camp is set for April 10-11 in Hinton, Okla. The introductory clinic will focus on bareback and saddle bronc riding.

“We want to help provide future rodeo athletes access to instruction and training,” said Cindy Schonholtz, PRCA industry outreach director. “Some cowboys may not have a parent or older sibling with ProRodeo experience and may not have access to instruction.

“Learning how to use rodeo equipment or relating to horses is something not all kids have access to, and we want to give them that opportunity.”

Topics covered, along with learning about rodeo equipment, will be chute procedure and working with pickup men.

Activities will be held at the Cross Tie Arena, and run from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. both days.

Camp co-organizer, stock contractor and co-host Maury Tate is among those who believes talented athletes are out there and just need the opportunity to receive instruction. Tate spoke with PRCA Board of Directors member and stock contractor John Barnes, and a PRCA group began laying the groundwork to put on a free day camp.

“Any camp will help people who want to improve or get better,” Tate said. “By being a free camp, it gives everyone the opportunity to come out and try. A lot of kids don’t have the funding to attend a rodeo school, but they can attend a day camp and leave wanting to learn more."

Interested students are encouraged to register. Space is limited, and necessary paperwork must be completed prior to participation.

For more information and to register, call Julie Jutten at 719.528.4729. Also, be sure to visit ProRodeo.com regularly, as more information will be posted as it becomes available.