Cyril Saddles up to host its annual rodeo this weekend

CYRIL – Bull riders, bronc busters and calf ropers will compete in one of Oklahoma’s longest-running rodeos when the 57th annual Cyril Open begins July 22.

Rusty Snider, president of the Cyril Roundup Club, said action will start at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Cyril Rodeo grounds, 700 W. Wyoming Avenue.

“Generally, we have a good hometown rodeo with a lot of contestants,” he said. “We’ve had a history of getting some past NFR (National Finals Rodeo) cowboys and cowgirls. We have good ropers, a good rough stock cowboys, and it’s one of the biggest rodeos in the area. It’ll be a packed house.”

Although temperatures will be soaring on Friday and Saturday, Snider said that won’t keep rodeo fans from attending.

“When the lights come on, there’ll be plenty of action and that’s what the people come for,” he said.

Contestants will compete in bull riding, bronc riding, double mugging, tie-down calf roping, pee-wee barrels, junior barrel racing, open barrel racing, team roping, ribbon roping, breakaway and mutton busting.

In addition, the Queen Ambassador will be crowned Friday night, Snider said. Aside from the rodeo events, a riding club will present a horsemanship act both nights. A calf scramble is also scheduled for younger cowboys and cowgirls who will chase calves as they try to grab a tag off the animal’s tail. For the youngest of the kids, a nickel toss will be held for the 5- and 6-year-olds, which allows them to play in the dirt and be part of the action in the rodeo ring, Snider said.

Advance tickets are $7 and $8 at the gate. Children 6 and under will be admitted free.