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| Rodeo Club president Rob Oakleaf competes bareback in 2006. |
The Cal Poly Pomona Rodeo Club is inviting the community to get out their cowboy hats and Wrangler Jeans for two enjoyable dusty days at the annual Spring Rodeo on March 14 and March 15 at Glen Helen Regional Park.
Cal Poly Pomona will host nine additional colleges in the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) sanctioned regional rodeo. Attendees will have the opportunity to watch these college students in action during events such as bull riding, barrel racing, roping, steer wrestling and goat tying.
“When you get on the back of a bucking horse it's such an adrenalin rush,” says Rob Oakleaf, president of the university's Rodeo Club and avid rodeo enthusiast. “People sometimes don't realize the effort that goes into preparing for an event. You really have to work with the horse, and you both have to be at the top of your ability in competitions like this.”
Oakleaf first began riding horses at age 10 through the Boy Scouts. Recognizing his passion for animals and love for horses, he came to Cal Poly Pomona to study animal science. For the past five years, Oakleaf has been active in the Rodeo Club and has held the title of president for the past two years.
“The Rodeo Club works hard to prepare for this event,” he says. “Although not everyone competes, all of the members do their part to support the rodeo and help out where they can.”
Re-established in 1994, the Cal Poly Pomona Rodeo Club is a student-run organization dedicated to the perpetuation of the rodeo sport. The club sponsors many activities throughout the year, including high school and intercollegiate rodeos. Club members have the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of rodeo events and benefit from the experience and expertise of professional instructors.
Come out and root for the Cal Poly Pomona team on Friday, March 14 and Saturday, March 15. Tickets are $5 and children under eight are free. There will be food and other vendors at the event.
Gates open at 3 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m. on Saturday. The rodeo begins at 5 p.m. on Friday and 2 p.m. on Saturday. Glen Helen Regional Park is located at 2555 Glen Helen Parkway in San Bernardino.
Sponsors for the event are Wrangler Jeans, Dodge Rodeo, Pro Equine, Wrangler Hats, Red Wing Shoes, U.S. Air Force, Cactus Saddlery, Collegiate Arena and College National Finals Rodeo.
Other participating colleges are:
- Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
- Cuesta College
- Feather River Community College
- Fresno State
- Lassen Community College
- Western Nevada Community College
- West Hills Community College
- University of Nevada, Las Vegas
- UCLA
Advanced tickets can be bought from any club member or the club's faculty advisor Broc Sandelin at basandelin@cpp.edu. His office is located in Building 2, Room 107.
For moreinformation about Cal Poly Pomona's annual Spring Rodeo visit https://www.cpp.edu/~agri/news/rodeo.shtml or the NIRA site at https://www.collegerodeo.com/index.asp.