PRCA Rodeo to headline Outdoor Arena events

An evening of PRCA Rodeo, as well as many other equine events, will be the featured attractions at the Outdoor Arena during the 2018 Clay County Fair, Sept. 8-16.

“Due to a last minute change in the PRCA’s scheduling, we are fortunate to be able to bring in a night of top-notch rodeo action,” said Fair Manager Jeremy Parsons. “As a bonus to our great fairgoers, this event will be free with gate admission.”

The PRCA Rodeo, presented by Barnes Rodeo Company, will take place on Sunday, Sept. 9 at 6:30pm. The full rodeo replaces the previously announced CCF Bull Riding Challenge.

The Outdoor Arena will host daily open class horse shows, as well as 4-H and FFA horse shows. Open class (Paint, Appaloosa, Quarter, Pony Halter and Performance) shows will be Sept. 8-10 before the start of the 4-H and FFA shows on Sept. 11-13. The second weekend of the Fair, Sept. 15-16, will feature both big and little horses in several open class divisions, including pony and miniature halter; miniature, pony and draft driving; and the North American Cart and Six-Horse Hitch Classic Series.

The North American Cart and Six-Horse Hitches will draw a large number of fairgoers on the last Saturday (Sept. 15) and Sunday (Sept. 16) of the Fair. The show will feature a $1,000 prize for the winning hitch both days. New in 2018, the hitch classes will begin at 12:00pm (Noon) giving attendees two full afternoons to watch horses and hitches.

Besides daily horse shows, special events will also take over the Outdoor Arena.

NBHA Barrel Racing will begin at 6:00pm on Saturday Sept. 8. This event will have cowgirls from across the upper Midwest competing for the title and $1,500 in added money.

Another show that will take center stage at the Outdoor Arena will be Cowboy Mounted Shooting, on Friday, Sept. 14 at 6:30pm. This event includes a time obstacle course in which riders and horses will go through as quickly as possible while shooting at balloons that are placed on top of stakes.

The day (Sept. 14) begins with another Fair favorite, Team Roping, at 11:00am.

The last Saturday of the Fair, Sept. 16, the Outdoor Arena will host the Ranch Rodeo which includes various ranch style activities, such as roping a calf, sorting cattle, and milking a wild cow. This event will begin at 6:00pm.