Kicking off Cochrane's exciting rodeo season, the second annual Average Joe Rodeo is coming back to the Cochrane Lions Rodeo Grounds on July 13th.

Kevin Firkus, Co-Chair of the event says this rodeo features regular guys and gals competing in rodeo events meant for them... average joes. Last summer, seven teams took to the ring, making the inaugural event a huge success and one that was hilarious to watch. 

While the Lions are close to filling half of the eligible team spots, Firkus shares they will be capping event registration to twelve teams. "Twelve is the max, just for the length of it. It will be followed by the Bucking Horse Futurity that evening."

Participating teams could represent a business or a collective group of friends, says Firkus, and this year, teams may get some helpful 'expert' advice. "We are looking at having a professional cowboy with each team as a coach. They won't be allowed to compete, but they will be able to help."

With still a few weeks to go, Firkus is hopeful for a full roster. "It costs $500 team and must consist of five people with one of them being a female, and they all have to compete in at least two of the six events. There is Chute Dogging which is like steer wrestling but you don't have to jump off a horse. Cow Race where you pull the ribbon off the tail after they come out of the chute. Team Roping where you rope a steer and you bring it back into a box which is 40 feet by 40 feet, Steer Scramble where a ribbon is placed around the steer's neck and you have to go out and pull the ribbon off the steer. Then there is the Greased Pig Race and the Cow Riding Race, which makes up a total of six events."

Besides the six adult events, the Lions are also considering adding a competition specifically for the little average joes after hearing feedback from last year. "Last year a bunch of different people said maybe we should have mutton busting or something for the kids, so we may try to get some goats that kids will ride."

While bragging rights and Championship rodeo buckles will be up for grabs, Firkus shares the event will be quite similar to last year's. "It will be pretty well identical. We may have massaged a few events because they worked, but didn't work, just to make things easier for our contestants."

Proceeds from the Average Joe Rodeo will go right back into the community, shares Firkus, and will go towards supporting mental health awareness initiatives. "Every event we do always goes back into the community and we thought this time we would do something specific for a cause."

If you think you have what it takes to get in the ring, you can enter a team to compete in the Average Joe Rodeo by emailing info@cochranelionsclub.com

READ MORE:

VIDEO: Even the Average Joe Can Get in the Ring