The Cody Stampede Rodeo has been held every summer since 1919! It is one of the longest running and most successful professional rodeos in America. Cody's is also the only place in the country that offers nightly rodeo shows. It's no wonder Cody, Wyoming, is known as the “Rodeo Capital of the World.”
Cody is a legendary rodeo
Cody has not one but two distinct rodeos. The Cody Nite Rodeo runs every night from June 1 to August 31, and the Cody Stampede runs from July 1 to 4. All summer long, Cody embodies the rodeo spirit. RoThis is not a Rush song but a tribute to the city's western history and cowboy culture.
There's nothing wrong with rodeo
Once again, we're not stumbling upon Aaron Tippin. Cody is an award-winning rodeo destination. The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association awarded Cody Stampede the “Large Outdoor Rodeo of the Year” award in 1998 and 1999. The Cody Nite Rodeo was nominated for “Best Small Outdoor Rodeo of the Year” in 2001.
The Cody Stampede and Xtreme Bulls are professional rodeos sanctioned by the Cowboys Association, while the Cody Nite Rodeo is an unlicensed amateur rodeo. Either way, it's a one-two punch of adrenaline.
Is Cody Rodeo ethical?
According to codystampederodeo.com – “Rodeo livestock, such as bulls, bulls and other animals used in events, are well cared for and subject to strict regulations to ensure their safety and welfare. Rodeos, especially those run by organizations like the Professional Cowboys Association (PRCA) give The humane treatment of animals is a priority, and a team of veterinarians is on site during events to monitor their health.
Buffalo Bill Cody's Wild West Show and The Cody Rodeo
Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show was never officially held in Cody, but its influence made rodeos and parades a part of the city's culture and heritage. In 1913, he ran his last show in the Wild West and hosted one last show and rodeo at Cody for the Prince of Monaco.
Buffalo Bill recognized the public's interest in the American frontier. He saw the need to preserve the traditions of the Wild West before they rode off into the sunset of history.
Who started Cody Rodeo?
Buffalo Bill's death in 1917 marked the end of an era in the American West. Clarence Williams, a former bus driver who transported visitors from Cody to Yellowstone, created the Cody Rodeo. It honored Buffalo Bill's legacy and preserved the “Old West” traditions he championed.
Carly Downing, a former Wild West show performer, founded the Cody Night Rodeo in 1939. It was originally called the “Pup Rodeo,” but it quickly became an integral part of the Stampede and a staple of the Cody community.
Bull riding at Cody Rodeo
Rodeos are full of classic events like roping and mutton busting, but nothing says you're grabbing life by the horns like riding a bucking bull. The rider rides the bull that emerges into the area from the bucking chute. The bull roars, turns, bucks, kicks, and turns to throw the rider. The rider must remain in place for eight seconds while touching the bull with just his hand to get a score, but the bull is always scored.
Bronco ride
Bronco riding, like bull riding, is an eight-second ride of terror. He used to rely on the money-making skills of a working cowboy but is now highly embellished. The rider is not only scored on the length and quality of the ride, but also on the creativity and effort the Bronze puts in to dislodge them.
Cowboy clowns
Rodeo clowns provide comic relief and are a rider's first line of defense against an angry bull. They put themselves in grave danger by making themselves a surrogate target for the raging bull. Under their baggy, torn clothes, they wear protective gear just in case. It is a dangerous profession that requires speed, agility, and the ability to predict the bull's next move.
Dressage
Rodeos are not just for the points but also for the competition. One particularly striking event is dressage, which comes from the French word training. It is a sport that involves precise movements of a well-trained horse based on barely perceptible signals from its rider. The horse walks, trots, trots, and, in the case of the Rodeo Cody, performs more specialized maneuvers such as the high-speed death drop.
Cody's Rodeo Legacy
Cody has produced world-class talent and rodeo legends Jim Houston, Chris LeDoux, Tom Ferguson, Deb Greeno and Dan Mortensen. Local rodeo champions in Cody include Bill Smith, Mel Stonehouse, Cecil McMillian, Nick Knight, Floyd Stillings, John Kirkpatrick, Norman Price and Arthur Holman.
Cody preserves and celebrates the traditions of rodeo, ensuring that it will always be known as the heart and soul of the sport. Cody is, and always will be, a rodeo.
Hello! We are Jane and Ed Coleman also known as Coleman Concierge. In short, we are a 10th generation couple from Huntsville sharing our stories of amazing adventures through transformative and experiential activity-based travel.
