By Conrad Easterday, CTCN Editor
Rodeo fans can get tickets to the Ram Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo by picking them up at participating businesses, at the gate, at will call, or from the website, says Joe Henderson, chairman of the rodeo committee.
Just don’t be late.
“If you want a seat, you better get there early. The last two years we’ve been sold out on Friday and Saturday nights,” Henderson explained
Duncan will play host to the rodeo Thursday through Saturday, Oct. 17-19, at the Stephens County Fairgrounds. It’s the 13th year of the family-friendly event.
“The gates open at 6. There’s two hours of solid rodeo, and you don’t have to worry about what your kids will see or hear,” Henderson said.
Rodeo-goers can wander among the plentiful vendor and booth sections. There are food trucks too.
Officially described as the Chisholm Trail Ram Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo, the event sends more than its share of cowboys to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, which explains why riders and ropers from as far as Indiana and even Australia attempt to qualify for the event.
Cowboys can pick up prize money at 60 Prairie Circuit rodeos throughout Oklahoma, Kansas, and Nebraska. The top 12 earners in each event qualify for the Prairie Circuit Finals in Duncan. The top money winners at the circuit finals qualify for the NFR. Because the Prairie Circuit Finals are so late, earnings from 2024 will be applied to qualifying for the 2025 NFR, Henderson said.
Last year, 23 Prairie Circuit cowboys went on to the national finals out of 144 nationwide. Henderson spoke with pride about the quality of rodeo cowboys in Oklahoma.
“Oklahoma and Texas are kind of the hotbed of this (sport),” he said. “Here in Duncan, it’s three nights of just pretty good rodeo.”
Another reason, the Prairie Circuit attracts top competitors is the purses. About $190,000 will be awarded, the 5th largest total purse in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association.
The stock companies that attend circuit finals in Duncan are many of the same companies that provide stock to the NFR, including Beutler and Sons (formerly Beutler Brothers), Silver Creek, Mo Betta, Frontier Rodeo, New Frontier, Rafter H, and Apache.
Appearing this year at the rodeo will be Alan Tessel, the famous rodeo clown, and the Flying Arena Stars, a female trick-riding group, that’s performed at the NFR. Calling the action will be Greg Simas, the premier voice of rodeo.
Tickets are available at the Chisholm Trail Community News offices, 3 Lakes Feed and Supply, and Stockman’s. Adults are $15. Kids are $12 at the gate. Prices are discounted for early purchasers.
The rodeo has a $750,000 impact on the local economy, Henderson said.
Events include ladies’ breakaway roping, bareback, saddle bronc, barrel racing, team roping, and bull riding. Breakaway roping is new this year, Henderson said. Steer roping takes place on Friday mornings. The national finals for that event are hosted in Mulvane, Kan.
