Big field of bull riders drives attendance at Progress Days rodeo

As part of Soldotna’s Progress Days, the Soldotna Equestrian Association held its third and final rodeo of the year Saturday and Sunday at the Soldotna Rodeo Grounds in Soldotna.

Kristi Edwards is in her first year on the board of the Soldotna Equestrian Association. She said she still runs into people all the time who don’t know there are rodeos in the area.

“We’ve made a lot of progress,” Edwards said. “Progress Days is one of our biggest rodeos.

“We put posters all over town and we’re glad that local businesses helped us out with that. And so our attendance was great. Just great weather and a great rodeo all year. We’ve had a good year.”

Edwards said the goal is for rodeos to grow even more by getting more volunteers and by getting the word out in the community.

“You want a good rodeo,” she said. “You want it for the community. So that’s our goal, is to grow it up a little bit more.”

Edwards said there are a fair amount of ranches in the area and more people are getting into buying horses, boarding them at ranches and taking lessons.

Saturday and Sunday, attendance was helped by 15 bull riders.

Edwards said a rider must stay on the bull eight seconds to get the prize money. If no rider makes it eight seconds, the money rolls to the next rodeo.

No rider was able to make it eight seconds at any of the Soldotna Equestrian Association rodeos this season.

Edwards said even more prize money was on the line Saturday and Sunday because Rodeo Alaska, which is the northern circuit for rodeo in the state, donated prize money.

In addition to Bull Riding, the rodeos included Double Mugging, Breakaway Roping, Chute Dogging, Mutton Bustin’, Ribbon Roping, Team Roping, Pole Bending, Barrel Racing and a Rescue Race.

This weekend also included jackpot races in Pole Bending and Barrel Racing on Friday night. There also was a youth rodeo Saturday.

Each rodeo benefits a cause and this weekend that cause was the Central Peninsula Health Foundation.

Edwards said there will be pole bending and barrel racing at the Soldotna Rodeo Grounds on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. until Labor Day. Admission is free.

She said those interested in getting involved can show up Wednesdays or message the Soldotna Equestrian Association Facebook page.

Cody Wicken competes in Bull Riding at the third Soldotna Equestrian Association rodeo of the season Sunday, July 28, 2024, at the Soldotna Rodeo Grounds in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Samantha Lopez competes in Pole Bending at the third Soldotna Equestrian Association rodeo of the season Sunday, July 28, 2024, at the Soldotna Rodeo Grounds in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Jesse Kitson competes in Bull Riding at the third Soldotna Equestrian Association rodeo of the season Sunday, July 28, 2024, at the Soldotna Rodeo Grounds in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Jacob Fowler competes in Pole Bending at the third Soldotna Equestrian Association rodeo of the season Sunday, July 28, 2024, at the Soldotna Rodeo Grounds in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Jade Campbell competes in Pole Bending at the third Soldotna Equestrian Association rodeo of the season Sunday, July 28, 2024, at the Soldotna Rodeo Grounds in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Troi Burnett competes in Chute Dogging at the third Soldotna Equestrian Association rodeo of the season Sunday, July 28, 2024, at the Soldotna Rodeo Grounds in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)