That time of the year is already here for fans of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) and of American Western culture in general: the 2017 Rancho Mission Viejo Rodeo will take place on Saturday, August 26 and Sunday, August 27. The Rancho Mission Viejo Rodeo is known to feature the highest purse of all PRCA events with more than $300,000 in prizes to the brave cowboys who qualify in this competition.
The RMV Rodeo will be held on ranchland owned by Southern California families since the late 19th century. The families who own the rights to this land have always been interested in preserving rodeo culture and the historic importance of the Old West in American history. The Rancho has always been a symbol of economic opportunity; located near the intersection of the Ortega Highway and Antonio/La Pata in Orange County, this land used to welcome cowboys, farmers, merchants, and migrant workers during the days of American expansion to the West. Since the year 2000, the Rancho has entered a partnership with the PRCA to hold the richest RMV Rodeo in the Americas.
The RMV Rodeo is followed with interest by PRCA fans from around the world. It is important to remember that rodeos are still celebrated across the Americas in Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica, Brazil, and Argentina; however, only the Rancho Mission Viejo Rodeo pays purses worth more than $300,000. With 30 competitors participating in events such as bull riding, bronco riding, team roping, and steer wrestling, about a third of cowboys and teams walk out with money in their pockets, but there are also sizable charitable donations to consider.
In the days of the Old West, rodeos were excellent fundraising situations for cowboys who passed the hat around and collected money for families or friends in need; sometimes things did not work out for those seeking fortune in California, and the last thing the Rancho families wanted was to see people going sick or hungry while on their property. Each RMV Rodeo results in tens of thousands of dollars donated to local charities such as The Shea Center for Therapeutic Riding, an effort to tap into the healing power of equestrian activities for convalescent patients.
In addition to the rodeo events, fans will also be able to enjoy a concert and dance on the first night of the weekend, followed by the award ceremonies on Sunday afternoon. Tickets start at $10 for children between the ages of 4 and 12, younger kids enter for free while adults must pay $30; for more information, visit www.rmvrodeo.com/tickets/ to learn where they can be purchased in Orange County. A good portion of the fun for families will be provided by vendors that will set up food stalls, souvenir shops, beer gardens, and carnival activities for children.
This special rodeo event will be covered by the Cowboy Lifestyle Network, along with the Papa John’s Road Team, the Ak-Chin Indian Community, and Earnhardt Auto Centers. If you would like to learn more about the country and western life, please visit https://cowboylifestylenetwork.com
