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Quesnel Rodeo Club eyes July exhibition at Alex Fraser Park

Gold City Classic set for July 15-17
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Ransome Doherty handed out treats to fans in the Gus Cameron Rodeo Arena on Saturday, August 14, 2021. (Rebecca Dyok photo)

The Quesnel Rodeo Club (QRC) is busy planning their upcoming Gold City Classic which will feature a twist.

President Ray Jasper says the tournament-style rodeo scheduled for July 15-17 will be a first for them.

“What that means is all the competitors entered will get one go in the first round, and the first round being in the slack and Friday and Saturday performances, and then the top ten competitors in each event will come back to a short round for championship Sunday,” he said.

“So we will have a true championship Sunday short round where our champions will be crowned and buckles will be presented. It will be the first time we’ve done such a thing, and I think everyone is looking forward to it.”

With other rodeos across Canada and the U.S. successfully doing tournament-style, Jasper said they thought they would give it a whirl and see how it goes.

The annual mid-season rodeo classic coinciding with Quesnel Billy Barker Days was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Last summer, however, the QRC was able to host two-single day rodeos held on consecutive days in mid-July and mid-August in the newly-minted Gus Cameron Arena at Alex Fraser Park.

“In August, we had over 500 competitors in two days, so it was huge,” Jasper said.

“I expect a minimum of that this year.”

Sponsorship in 2021 was ‘phenomenal’, with spectators attending the rodeo events by donation.

Jasper anticipates sponsorship will be no different this year and said a fair amount of money has already been added.

“We’re just in the planning stages, and it looks good,” he said.

“Hopefully, COVID takes a hike, and I think we’ll be in good shape come mid-July. It will be a great event, so it should be wonderful.”

Read More: Sponsors make Quesnel Rodeo summer series possible



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