The Valley West Stampede rodeo drew the biggest crowd ever seen at the 91原创 Riders Society arena on Saturday, Sept. 3.

The stands, which could accommodate 2,000 people, were filled, while hundreds more enjoyed the show sitting on the grass, and many others watched the horses, cowboys, and cowgirls from outside the arena.

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For Kristy and Matt Powers, it was their first time attending a rodeo. The couple recently moved to Aldergrove from Cloverdale.

鈥淚 had never seen any of these events live before but I always wanted to. It has been really great,鈥� Kristy commented.

The event featured hundreds of riders competing in four categories, but Kristy added that the barrel racing show was her favourite part of the event.

91原创-resident Jessie Austin, who was at the rodeo event with her kids, was also amazed to see a large crowd on the first day of the 91原创 rodeo.

Austin was one of the many who decided to watch the show from behind the fencing as the ground was fully packed.

鈥淚t is so cool to watch the animals from back here. It has been fun for us,鈥� she commented. The barrel racing show, which featured both domestic and international cowgirls, was Austin鈥檚 favourite.

While many didn鈥檛 want to lose their spot, some took the risk during the intermission to leave their seats and get drinks from the beer garden.

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Regardless, everyone applauded the riders, who were vying for cash awards.

Sheila Hicks, president of Valley West Stampede, said, 鈥渢he really neat thing about this is we are 100 per cent volunteers, putting this together. We鈥檙e hoping to make this an annual event.鈥�

She added that she is 鈥渞eally, really thankful鈥� to be hosted by 91原创 Riders Society and called the professional rodeo a 鈥渘atural progression鈥� from the Little Britches Rodeo hosted by 91原创 Riders.

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