It’s once again rodeo time in Bryan County as the 85th Annual Durant Riding Club event presented by Discover Durant is slated to take place Friday and Saturday at the arena on South 9th Street in Durant.
This marks the sixth year that the annual rodeo has been a key stop on the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association’s Prairie Circuit that will wind up at the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas.
Last year’s rodeo weekend set records and wound up with a total payout of nearly $59,000.
“The road to the NFR is coming right through Durant once again,” said West Huggins, the event spokesperson and long-time rodeo announcer. “They don’t do things mediocre in Durant. Every year there’s something new added and we love coming to Durant. The added money just continues to rise year after year because of all their great sponsors.
“It just keeps getting bigger and bigger every year. Last year they had new additional lighting. This year they have added space for more vendors and food trucks. It’s also neat to see that the Discover Durant and Main Street people have brought back the rodeo parade through the downtown area. The cowboys always loved to take part in that and get out and see the people all through downtown and I know we’re looking forward to that returning. We definitely want to tip our hats to Main Street for bringing that back to kick off the weekend on Thursday evening.”
The highest event payout comes from bull riding but there will also be plenty of participants in team roping, barrel racing, steer wrestling, tie-down roping, saddle bronc and bareback riding.
In addition to the PRCA contestants there will also be plenty from the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association as well competing on National Finals quality stock provided by United Pro Rodeo and New Star Pro Rodeo. Pro Rodeo clown and barrelman Jason Farley will also be involved throughout both evenings.
Rodeo action is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. each night.
Event sponsors include Durant Riding Club, Discover Durant, Choctaw Casinos & Resorts, Stuteville Chevrolet and 360 Broadband.