98th Annual Clovis Rodeo April 26-29, 2012

Clovis, California: Today will be the beginning of slack for many a cowboy hoping to qualify for a run at the 98th Clovis Rodeo that begins Thursday at 6:30 p.m. with the return of the PBR Touring Pro-Division followed by a concert with American Idol winner David Cook. The rodeo runs April 26-29, 2012. Slack takes place Wednesday and Thursday in the rodeo arena beginning at 8:00 a.m. and Friday at 9:00 a.m.

Slack is the preliminary rodeo competition where cowboys and cowgirls take their first go (or run) to see if they qualify for a second go during the rodeo performance. Often a top for World Champion Cowboys who proudly wear the gold buckle, the 2012 Clovis Rodeo will host more than 500 cowboys and cowgirls to take their chance for a piece of the more than $300,000 in total prize money waiting for the winners of the popular PRCA Silver Tour Rodeo stop in Clovis.

Look for some of the biggest names in rodeo to be amongst the more than 500 cowboys and cowgirls who will take a gamble in the saddle during the qualifying, including the Cooper brothers in the tie down event, Wright brothers in the Saddle Bronc and two California boys leading the Steer Wrestling event, Ethan Thouvenell (Napa, CA) and Billy Bugening (Ferndale, CA)

The 98th Clovis Rodeo will open Thursday, April 26 with the PBR Touring Pro-Division followed by a concert with American Idol winner David Cook. Friday Nights PRCA Rodeo action will be followed by a concert with rising country star Justin Moore. Two more days of wild rodeo action will continue along with the popular Clovis Rodeo parade on Saturday, April 28 and the rodeo finals on Sunday. The Clovis Rodeo runs April 26-29.

Tickets are available by visiting the ticket office at the rodeo grounds Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. calling 559-299-5203 or visiting http://www.clovisrodeo.com. All seats are reserved for each rodeo performance and prices range from $17.00 to $27.00. Parking at the rodeo grounds is free of charge.

Thank you rodeo fans for your continued support – we look forward to seeing you at the 98th Clovis Rodeo, April 26-29, 2012!

Dear Rodeo Fans:

On behalf of the Clovis Rodeo Association board of directors thank you for supporting what we consider to be one of the best show’s on dirt. As an all-volunteer, non-profit association, we recognize it is because of rodeo fans like you that we are able to give back to numerous schools, charities and organizations in our community.

When I was four months old I attended my first Clovis Rodeo, I haven’t missed one since! If this is going to be your first visit to our rodeo we hope it will be the first of many, and if you’re one of our returning fans, welcome back. Always the last weekend of April, it has been a Clovis tradition for almost 100 years; a time for family and friends to gather and enjoy the western way of life.

We’ve prepared four days of excitement for rodeo fans – we promise world champion cowboys, some of the finest rodeo stock in the business and one of the best tri-tip sandwiches you’ll ever eat. Not to mention a couple of amazing concerts, a parade and the rodeo dance thrown in there just to make sure there’s no downtime between rodeo performances.

The 98th Clovis Rodeo is made possible because we have an incredible group of dedicated volunteers who work all year to make this rodeo happen. It is also because of our many generous rodeo sponsors who partner with us to make a difference in the community. If you happen to see some of our sponsors please don’t forget to give them a little patronage and a great big thank you for being part of the Clovis Rodeo.

Thank you friends, fans and sponsors for making a difference in our community and supporting the Clovis Rodeo Association. It has been an honor to serve as president of this organization for the past three years, but if anything I’ve learned over the years it is merely a title, nothing would take place if it weren’t for the more than 700 members of the Association who make our rodeo happen, year after year.

Let’s Get Ready to Rodeo!

Ron Dunbar, President
Clovis Rodeo Association