Rodeo ready to be on its own, in Swift Current
"We broke up, but we remained friends," Shylo Claypool says, talking about a decision by his organization, the Canadian Cowboys Association (CCA), to move their major rodeo event — the season finals — from Regina's Agribition to Swift Current starting in 2016.
"This venue is busy," Claypool added, talking about the main agricultural trade show that is the key focus of Agribition week.
His association announced in February that, after 11 years of holding a rodeo in conjunction with Agribition, they would mount an independent event in Swift Current.
Claypool said many factors played into the decision, including the desire to be a stand-alone event. They also considered the economics about moving to a smaller centre in Swift Current.
"It is a smaller building ... [but] it'll be packed every night," Claypool said, noting that the rodeo events in Regina typically have their best attendance numbers in the final two days.
Claypool said his association is still working on plans for the Swift Current edition of its rodeo which will be held a few weeks earlier than the Agribition one. In Swift Current they are aiming for dates in October.
"It's whatever we want to do," he said. "We're still kind of spit-balling and coming up with everything we want to there. But we're going to try to make it a great show."
He said, in a way, the association is moving home to its roots, recalling that the association originated in Kyle, Sask., about 70 kilometres north of Swift Current.
"I think out in that area there, they excited to have us back," he said. "They are big supports of rodeo throughout the year."
He said one of the major advantages to making the move is more flexibility to line up sponsors for the event. In Regina the CCA respected the sponsorship arrangements that the Canadian Western Agribition had made and would not line-up rival sponsors.
Agribition's CEO Marty Seymour said he understands how the CCA was looking forward to being the centre of attention, noting that, in Regina, the rodeo is one of over 90 events taking place over six days.
"One of the opportunities, for them in Swift Current, is to be the centre attraction," Seymour said. "It's a great event for them."
Seymour said Agribition will announce, on Saturday, their plans for the 2016 rodeo component of their show.
"Rodeo is a big part of Agribition," he said.
