Retired police officer Rich Kitos said hopping on the back of a wild horse is more intimidating than chasing down a criminal.

And he鈥檚 done both.

Kitos, one of the volunteer board members of the Valley West Stampede in 91原创, started with the Vancouver Police back around 1987 and within a few years, applied to the mounted division, trading his cruiser for a saddle.

Kitos would go on to compete in the Calgary Police Rodeo, including doing some bronc riding, and then moved up to the big leagues 鈥� the Calgary Stampede.

鈥淲e did an event called the wild horse race,鈥� he said.

In the wild horse race, the three-person team must lasso a horse in the infield and ride it across a finish line.

鈥淚 was the jockey,鈥� he explained.

His team did well enough to get pro credentials and competed in rodeos around Western Canada.

鈥淲e鈥檇 do 10 or 12 a year, and we did it for about seven or eight years,鈥� Kitos said.

Now retired from policing, Kitos still rides recreationally on his South 91原创 home, and hopes to help the sport of rodeo by serving on the Valley West Stampede board.

The stampede is putting the community that dubs itself the Horse Capital of Canada on the rodeo map.

鈥淚 think it really emphasizes what 91原创 is all about,鈥� Kitos said.

The board meets year round to plan the stampede, but as the Labour Day weekend nears, work moves to the site.

He and the other rodeo volunteers have been at the 91原创 Riders Society grounds on 208th Street at 42nd Avenue since mid-August setting up for the stampede that runs Saturday, Sept. 2 to Monday, Sept. 4.

Last year, the inaugural rodeo, about 6,000 people attended. This year the goal is to double attendance by adding more amenities and more attractions.

There鈥檚 the four sanctioned pro rodeo events each with $20,000 prize money 鈥� bare back riding, ladies barrel racing, saddle bronc, and bull riding 鈥� as well as kids mutton busting.

There鈥檚 still more to see, including the Wildrose Trick Riders from Alberta, and a demonstration of the different kinds of riding such as dressage versus reining.

The gates open at 11 a.m., and stampede events start at 2 p.m. with a grand entry ceremony each of the three days.

There will be more food trucks on site, and in addition to the beer garden, there will be the Train Station Bar, a 300-seat covered venue that will stay open after the rodeo wraps each day. Post-competition events include dancing and live music by performers such as Karen Lee Batten, Dakota Pearl, Hillside Outlaws, Simon Clow, Tanner Olsen Band, DJ Jack Daniel, and Topaz.

For the kids, there鈥檚 face painting.

鈥� READ MORE: 91原创 rodeo doubling spectator capacity for 2023

Tickets are $25 for adults per day and $10 for those 12 and younger. Parking is free at the George Preston Recreation Centre. Tickets are available at valleyweststampede.ca.

A special VIP opening night dinner will take place Friday, Sept. 1, and includes dinner and a silent auction. Tickets are $50.

More information is available through the website valleyweststampede.ca.

鈥淲e鈥檝e added a lot of stuff this year,鈥� Kitos said.

鈥� READ MORE: Thousands come to watch 91原创鈥檚 first pro rodeo

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