Caldwell Night Rodeo
2301 Blaine Street, Caldwell, ID, USA
Email
[email protected]
WELCOME TO
THE CALDWELL NIGHT RODEO
Where The Cowboys Are The Stars
ABOUT US
Now in its 98th year, The Caldwell Night Rodeo is one of the largest and longest-running annual events in Canyon County, drawing rodeo fans in excess of 45,000 over 5 action-packed nights. Listed among the Top 20 Professional Rodeos AND Top 5 Large Outdoor Rodeos in the nation, The Caldwell Night Rodeo features the best professional cowboys, cowgirls and animal athletes in the world and is an annual stop on the professional rodeo tour.
As the first rodeo in the Pacific Northwest to ever be held under the lights, The Caldwell Night Rodeo offers a true rodeo experience unlike any other. With over 600 world-class contestants and 7 action-packed nightly events, the excitement in our arena is electric. Equally divided by the infamous “Rowdies” and “Civies” – The CNR crowd plays an interactive role in the excitement of this one-of-a-kind rodeo.
In 2015, 2016 & 2017 CNR was voted the #1 Large Outdoor Family Event in Canyon County, one of the Top 10 Rodeo’s in the US by Real Time Cowboy Magazine, as well as one of the 101 Best Events in the West by American Cowboy Magazine. In 2016 & 2017, The CNR was once again nominated as the Top Large Outdoor Rodeo in the US by the PRCA – a prestigious award it has been nominated for over 8 times in the last 18 years.
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2022 EVENT SCHEDULE
– August 16 – 20th –
Age of header and heeler must equal at least 100 years.
Can’t wait for rodeo week?
Come join us during slack to cheer on cowboys and cowgirls from across the country.
(1st go) Team Roping, Steer Wrestling, & Tie Down: 8:00am
Breakaway, (2nd go) Team Roping, Steer Wrestling, Tie Down: 5:00pm
All first responders can receive $3 off admission at the gate with proof of first responder status.
Barrel Racing Slack (1st & 2nd go): 9:00am
VIP Corral Opens at 5PM (pre-purchase tickets required)
Arena Gates Open: 5:30pm
Jr. Rodeo Starts: 6:30pm
Pro Rodeo Begins: 7:45pm
Wear your purple to take a stand against domestic violence within the treasure valley.
VIP Corral Opens at 5pm (pre-purchase tickets required)
Arena Gates Open: 5:30pm
Jr. Rodeo Starts: 6:30pm
Pro Rodeo Begins: 7:45pm
Have you or someone you love been impacted by cancer? Wear the color that resonates with you the most.
VIP Corral Opens at 5pm (pre-purchase tickets required)
Arena Gates Open: 5:30pm
Jr. Rodeo Starts: 6:30pm
Pro Rodeo Begins: 7:45pm
To thank you for your service all past and present military members will receive $3 off admission at the gates.
VIP Corral Opens at 5pm (pre-purchase tickets required)
Arena Gates Open: 5:30pm
Jr. Rodeo Starts: 6:30pm
Pro Rodeo Begins: 7:45pm
Join us for the last night of action as the 10 top athletes from each event compete for the championship title.
VIP Corral Opens at 5pm (pre-purchase tickets required)
Arena Gates Open: 5:30pm
Jr. Rodeo Starts: 6:30pm
Pro Rodeo Begins: 7:45pm
Indian Creek Steakhouse will host the official after party of The Caldwell Night Rodeo following each action packed evening.
Indian Creek Steakhouse: 711 Main St, Caldwell, ID 83605
∼ EVENT DESCRIPTIONS ∼
Ticket Info
BAREBACK RIDING
With nothing to hold but a “rigging” or suitcase-like handle on a strap secured comfortably behind the horse’s front legs, the cowboy must maintain balance and control while the horse bucks and pitches. A “flank strap” is secured around the horse’s hind end which tells the animal it’s go-time! The ride is judged on the cowboy’s spurring motion in coordination with the horse’s movement, as well as the bucking action of the animal. A rider is disqualified if he fails to have his heels touching the animal above the point of the horse’s shoulders when it makes its first jump, known as the “mark-out” rule. Additionally, the rider cannot touch any part of the horse or himself during the 8-second ride. A high-scoring ride is in the high 80s or 90s out of a possible 100 points.
STEER WRESTLING
Sometimes referred to as “bulldogging,” steer wrestling is an all-out battle of strength. The cowboy starts out on horseback in a three-sided fenced area known as “the box.” A rope, known as the “barrier,” is attached to the steer and serves as a head start for the animal. Once the cowboy nods to indicate his readiness, the gate is opened and the steer exits the chute. When the steer reaches the end of the rope, the barrier is released and the cowboy takes off in pursuit. If the cowboy leaves before the steer, a 10-second penalty is added to his final time and referred to as a “broken barrier”. If the cowboy reaches the steer, he dismounts using strength and leverage, slows the animal by digging his heels into the dirt and maneuvers the steer to the ground. In order to catch the sprinting steer, the bulldogger relies on a “hazer”, which is another mounted cowboy running beside the steer. Time stops when the steer is on its side with all four feet pointing in the same direction.
TEAM ROPING
This is the only true team event in rodeo – one “header” who ropes the head of the steer and one “heeler” who ropes the heels, or feet, of the steer. Each contestant begins in their respective “roping box” – a three-sided fenced area with a chute containing the steer in the middle. Similar to Steer Wrestling, a breakaway rope or “barrier” is attached to the steer and released once the steer reaches its advantage point The “broken barrier” rule also applies with a 10-second penalty added to the team’s time. Once the steer is out, the header leaves the roping box in pursuit of the steer, roping it around the horns, neck, or a horn-neck combination. He then turns the steer quickly to the left so the heeler has a shot at both of its hind legs. The clock stops when their horses are facing each other and their ropes are pulled tightly. If the heeler catches only one leg, a five-second penalty is added. A fast time in the Team Roping is less than 4 seconds.
SADDLE BRONC RIDING
Saddle bronc riding is rodeo’s classic event since it derived from the practice of “breaking” or training saddle horses in the Old West. The contestant sits in a standard saddle attached to the back of the horse – but with no saddle horn. For leverage, he holds a thick “rein” or rope that is attached to the horse’s halter, which can only be held with one hand. When the gate swings open, the cowboy must adhere to the “mark-out” rule in which he must have his heels touching the animal above the point of the horse’s shoulders when it makes its first jump. Otherwise, the cowboy will be disqualified and given a “no score.” Synchronization with the horse’s movements earns higher scores. When the horse’s front feet are on the ground, the rider’s heels must be in front of the horse’s shoulders, toes turned out. As the horse resets for its next move, the cowboy brings his heels to the back of the saddle, all the while anticipating the animal’s next jump. If the contestant touches any part of the horse or himself with his free hand during the 8-second ride, he will be disqualified. A high-scoring ride is in the 80s or 90s out of a possible 100 points.
TIE-DOWN ROPING
Like many rodeo events, tie-down roping can be traced back to the working ranches of the Old West. The roper begins his run from “roping box,” with a barrier rope across the open front. The box is adjacent to a chute, containing the calf. One end of the breakaway barrier is looped around the calf and released as soon as the calf reaches its advantage point. If the roper beats the calf out of the chute, a 10-second penalty is added to his final time and considered a “broken barrier.” Once the calf is caught by the cowboy’s loop, the horse is trained to come to a stop and pull back to remove any “slack” or extra rope to keep the calf still. The cowboy quickly dismounts and sprints down his rope to the calf and turns the calf by hand, referred to as “flanking”. If the calf is not standing when the cowboy reaches it, he must allow the calf to stand before he proceeds to flank it. Once flanked, the roper ties any three of the animal’s legs together with a “pigging string” – a short looped rope. To signal that his run is complete, the contestant throws his hands in the air. He then remounts his horse and must wait six seconds to ensure that the calf does not kick free. If the calf does not remain tied, the roper receives no time. At San Antonio, a fast run in is less than 7 seconds.
BARREL RACING
Arranged in a triangle, barrel racers must run around all three barrels in a pattern known as a “cloverleaf” being careful not to turn one over. Riders may begin on the left or the right barrel first, but the pattern cannot be broken. Horses must be not only swift, but accurate in their ability to maneuver around the barrels with ease and agility. If the rider or the horse makes contact with a barrel, it can be touched in order to keep it from falling. If not, each fallen barrel adds a penalty of five-seconds to the rider’s final time. The sport is timed to the hundredth of a second. An “electric eye,” or automatic stopwatch serves as the timer on the arena floor and starts and stops once the horse and rider run in front of it. A fast run is less than 14 seconds.
BULL RIDING
One 2,000 pound animal paired against one 150 pound man ensures an adrenaline rush for those brave enough to climb in the chutes. To stay on, the rider grasps a flat braided rope or “bull rope” which is wrapped around the bull’s chest just behind its front legs. One end of the bull rope, called the “tail”, is threaded through the loop on the other end and fastened around the animal. The rider then wraps the tail around his hand holding the rope, sometimes weaving it through his fingers to further secure his grip. When the chute gate opens riders must stay on for eight seconds, while a twisting, bucking mass of muscle tries anything to buck them off. If the contestant makes contact with the animal or themselves with their free hand, they receive no score. Points are based on rider’s ability to stay on, as well as the bull’s bucking action. Extra points are awarded to those who are controlled enough to spur their bull with one or both of their dulled spurs. A high-scoring ride is in the high 80s or 90s out of a possible 100.
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CONTACT US
Mailing Address:
The Caldwell Night Rodeo
PO Box 98
Caldwell, Idaho 83606
Office Physical Address:
121 S. 22nd Avenue
Caldwell, Idaho 83605
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Arena Physical Address:
Office: 208-459-2060
E-mail: [email protected]
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