Metro Vancouver, BC – Year after year, rodeo fans in the Lower Mainland know what to expect when they visit the Cloverdale Rodeo & Country Fair: world-class cowboys and cowgirls. This year will be no exception, as athletes at the top-of-their-game on the international rodeo circuit will descend upon Cloverdale Fair Grounds from May 17th – 20th.
The Cloverdale Rodeo’s invitational format ensures that the top names in four different events (Bareback Riding, Ladies Barrel Racing, Saddle Bronc Riding, Bull Riding) will bring their talents to the Fair to entertain and thrill rodeo fans of all ages. The competitors are divided into two pools and will compete in qualifying rounds from Friday to Sunday, with the finals taking place Monday May 20th at 2:30pm.
“We’re so pleased that the Cloverdale Rodeo & Country Fair attracts some of the best athletes in the world every year,” says Mike MacSorley, General Manager, Cloverdale Rodeo & Country Fair. “This year’s field of competitors will put on an absolutely world-class show, entertaining and wowing the crowds throughout the long-weekend.”
Western Canada is a hot-bed for rodeo talent, and this year’s installment of the Cloverdale Rodeo & Country Fair features some of the absolute best in all four categories.
At the tender age of 22, B.C. born-and-raised Jacob Gardner has already proven himself to be one of Canada’s best. The Fort St. John native took home the title of All-Round Cowboy of Canada in 2018 to go with his appearances in the Canadian Finals Rodeo and the PBR Canada Finals that same year. Jacob is ready to continue his winning ways and will put on a great show at the Cloverdale Rodeo.
If you thought 22 was young, get ready to check out one of the rodeo circuit’s rising stars Taylor Manning. At 15-years-old, Taylor is the youngest competitor at this year’s Cloverdale Rodeo, but make no mistake, she rides like a seasoned veteran. She’s a two-time CFR qualifier, 2018 Reserve Canadian Champion Barrel Racer, and was last year’s champion at the Medicine Hat Stampede. This year, at the Cloverdale Invitational Rodeo, Taylor is looking to add Ladies Barrel Racing Champion to her already impressive resume.
Among the riders looking to defend their 2018 Cloverdale Invitational Rodeo crown is Canadian Zeke Thurston. Hailing from Big Valley, Alberta, Zeke won the Saddle Bronc Championship at last year’s event; he’s also a three-time winner at the Calgary Stampede. Zeke is excited about the opportunity to take home the Saddle Bronc title two years in a row.
But Zeke isn’t the only competitor looking for back-to-back championships, 2018 Ladies Barrel Racing champ Callahan Crossley is revved up and ready to go this year. Callahan is making her fifth appearance at the Cloverdale Rodeo, and has made her presence felt North of the Border, despite being born in Herminston, Oregon. She is a three-time Canadian Finals Barrel Racing Qualifier and the reigning Canadian Champion Barrel Racer.
In total, 96 of the world’s best will take part in the unique Invitational Rodeo Format. Twenty-four contestants will compete in each of the rodeo events. All the 2018 Cloverdale Invitational Rodeo Champions and the 2018 Canadian Rodeo Champions receive invites to the 2019 Cloverdale Invitational Rodeo.
For a detailed schedule of events, performances, competitors list, and to purchase tickets, please visit The Cloverdale Rodeo website.