Lakeland College Hosts Fall Classic Rodeo

Photo Sonya Lee

The Canadian Collegiate Rodeo Association (CCRA) brings together a passionate community of college and university students, along with their coaches, united by their love of rodeo. Dedicated to both education and sport, the association represents institutions across British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan, forming seven competitive teams. Each season, these teams take turns hosting between eight and ten rodeos from September to April, culminating in the highly anticipated Canadian College Finals Rodeo.

The Intercollegiate Lakeland College Fall Classic Rodeo, held October 17 to 19, drew competitors and spectators from across the region. The weekend kicked off Friday evening with the opening of the beer gardens at 5 p.m., followed by the first performance at 6 p.m. The excitement started early with the fan-favorite Wild Ride, a lighthearted competition where team representatives donned their most creative costumes in the arena. The energy carried into the UFA Barrel Jackpot, which offered a 7/10 split payout to the top three in each division, showcasing the riders’ speed and precision. For those unable to attend in person, all events were live streamed, ensuring no action was missed, even from the beer gardens.

Saturday began with Slack at 11 a.m., giving competitors extra opportunities to post qualifying times and scores. The evening performance at 6 p.m. had the crowd on their feet, featuring a full slate of events: pole bending, bareback, breakaway roping, goat tying, tie-down roping, barrel racing, saddle bronc, steer wrestling, team roping, and bull riding. The combination of skill, grit, and camaraderie made for a thrilling showcase of collegiate rodeo talent. Following the competition, the festivities continued with a rodeo dance at 9 p.m., where the Flatland Beer Bandits kept the energy high late into the night.

Sunday wrapped up the weekend with another round of Slack starting at 9 a.m., followed by the final rodeo performance at 1 p.m. Competitors gave it their all in the last rounds of pole bending, bareback, breakaway roping, goat tying, tie-down roping, barrel racing, saddle bronc, steer wrestling, team roping, and bull riding. The stands were filled with cheers as student-athletes demonstrated not only their talent but also the teamwork and sportsmanship that define the spirit of collegiate rodeo.

Beyond the athleticism, perhaps the most memorable part of the weekend was the camaraderie among the athletes. Throughout the event, competitors celebrated one another’s successes with high-fives, encouragement, and congratulations, regardless of school or team. The Lakeland College Fall Classic once again proved to be a vibrant celebration of hard work, community, as the enduring rodeo tradition that continues to thrive on campuses across Western Canada.