Some of the best in the rodeo business are teaching the next generation the skills needed to compete in rodeo and in life on the Calgary Stampede grounds this weekend.

Tim Welter is the Vice Chair of the 4-H Rodeo Committee.

He says the kids learn a wealth of knowledge over the course of the weekend.

“We teach them competitiveness, we teach horse care, we teach them how to properly dismount a horse, get on a horse, proper tact,” said Welter. “For the timed events we do barrel racing, the big rodeo event, but we also do pole bending, which is agility for your horse and rider, we do some calf roping, we do some break-away roping, steer daubing which would be a form of steer wrestling.

The seniors are also taught how to ride a steer and there is also goat tieing, which emulates calf roping.

Welter says this will help them become a rodeo competitor, if they want to.

The volunteers, once again are the one that makes this all possible and what makes this event unique is the partnership with the Calgary Stampede, allowing them to bring in some very talented clinicians.

“As a learning rodeo with the Calgary Stampede, we have the opportunity to go and involve the Calgary Stampede rodeo with their competitors to come and teach these young learning minds and so we draw from anybody that is in the rodeo industry to some of the professional rodeo cowboys that compete here at the Calgary Stampede.”

Welter says getting these clinicians out is very easy when you mention it is about teaching youth.

Welter says their partnership with the Calgary Stampede is a natural fit.

“The Stampede partners with 4-H because of the youth, wanting to grow youth, wanting to grow that western heritage, what better way to bring together 4-H, agriculture and rodeo all in one small group.”

This is the 21st time the 4-H Rodeo event has been held.