Cowboys, cowgirls and rodeo fans alike have descended on Lethbridge for the Lethbridge and District Pro Rodeo, which kicks off Thursday night. This marks the fifth consecutive year that the event has been held at Whoop-Up Days. The pro rodeo has turned into one of the largest sanctioned pro rodeos in the country. Competitors from across Canada and the world will be taking part. It’s one of the last chances for competitors to earn points in hopes of landing a spot in the Canadian Finals Rodeo. “The history of rodeo in southern Alberta and this area is deeper than any other part of Canada,” said rodeo producer Kynan Vine. “The community really gets behind that and the fact that we just keep trying to improve and grow the rodeo here so that we can be one of the top rodeos on the circuit -- and not just a good rodeo for the community -- but a great rodeo for international competitors and put us on the world stage as one of the bet rodeos there is.” The rodeo starts Thursday night at 7 p.m. It runs for the next three days with the finals being held on Saturday.
