AS I SEE IT
By Neal A. ShipmanFarmer Editor
For many years Watford City hosted the NDRA Finals, but four years ago the event was moved to Bismarck. Last year, thanks to the support of the cowboys and cowgirls from across the state that are competing as well as the NDRA board of directors and the hard work by the McKenzie County Cowboy Association, the Finals came back to Watford City.
And this weekend, the NDRA Finals is once again riding into Watford City where the “best of the best” will be competing on Friday and Saturday to see who will emerge as the state champion in one of nine rodeo events, ranging from saddle bronc riding to bull riding, and from barrel racing to breakaway roping.
So if you like to watch rodeo, this is an event you won’t want to miss. And, if you like to watch wild bucking broncs and thousand-pound bulls trying to unseat an 185-pound cowboy, then the NDRA Championship Finals is the place to see the best rodeo action in North Dakota.
Without a doubt, if someone is going to attend just one rodeo in North Dakota, then the Championship Finals is that rodeo. If you want to see the state’s best cowboys and cowgirls competing, they are going to be in Watford City this weekend. And if you want to see the most rank bucking stock from the best stock contractors in North Dakota, they are going to be here as well.
The NDRA Finals is the granddaddy of all rodeos. It is the culmination of a summer of rodeos with only the top competitors in each of the standard nine rodeo events - bareback riding, calf roping, ladies breakaway, saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, team roping, barrel racing, senior men’s breakaway, and bull riding - qualifying to see who will emerge as state champions.
So if you haven’t been to a rodeo this year or if you love to watch rodeos, then you won’t want to miss all of the excitement this Friday and Saturday as the NDRA Championship Finals rides back into Watford City. And with the Finals being held indoors in the McKenzie County Multi-Purpose Building, weather will not be an issue.
See you at the Finals!