The Quesnel Gold City Classic Rodeo during Billy Barker Days is now an American qualifier for the richest one day rodeo south of the border.
Ray Jasper, the President of the Quesnel Rodeo Club, says the top performers at their rodeo will qualify for a semi-final in Las Vegas to go to the finals in Arlington, Texas.
“If a contender qualifier makes it and wins that rodeo they pay one million dollars out so it’s a pretty big deal.  It’s the first time that we’ve had a rodeo in Canada be accepted to do this, and we’re pretty excited about it.”
Jasper says it’s definitely a feather in the cap of the club.
“The folks that are in charge at the American. They did their due diligence, they like our format in the sense that we’re doing the go rounds and then a top 10 finale, so we’re kind of a little tournament style of our own, they like that. Every year we get a good crowd, we’ve got a good crew that runs it.”
Jasper says they are always looking for ways to give the rodeo contestant in our area an opportunity.
“We’re also a Canadian Finals Breakaway qualifier, that will remain. We’re sanctioned by Bull Riders Canada so that is kind of a big deal, so we’re happy to be able to bring this to Quesnel and hopefully it will turn out well and grow it over time.”
The Quesnel Rodeo will take place from July 14th through the 16th this year.
There will also be a Barrel Racing qualifier on the 13th.
–Files by George Henderson, My Cariboo Now
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