Putting the 'buck' back in Buck Springs

July 8 and 9, the “buck” will be coming back to Buck Springs Arena about three miles east of Saratoga. That Friday and Saturday, the Platte River Rodeo Association (PRRA) will be holding a Wyoming Rodeo Association (WRA) sanctioned rodeo, and there will also be plenty of amateur events for participants of all ages to take part in, PRRA President Allen Youngberg said.

Attendees can watch talented ropers and riders from across the state and beyond compete for cash prizes in calf roping, breakaway roping, team roping, saddle bronc riding and, of course, bull riding. There will also be barrel races as well as mutton busting and a boot race for kids with registration on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Entry costs $7 for adults. Kids under six are admitted for free according to a poster for the event. Youngberg said that the event averaged about 375 attendees for each of the two days last year, and he is hoping for even more this go-around.

“We put most of the money right back into improving the arena,” Youngberg said, but the PRRA also supports a number of area charities with rodeo proceeds. Youngberg said this year the PRRA was making contributions to Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) students from Saratoga who were fundraising to attend an FBLA conference in Atlanta.

PRRA committee member Terri Hinkle added that the rodeo would likely be donating to the Saratoga Museum again this year and to the Tough Enough to Wear Pink organization. Tough Enough to Wear Pink supports cancer detection and research efforts such as the Susan G. Komen Foundation, and the PRRA also donates resource to local families affected by cancer.

Though registration had not ended as of press time, Hinkle said organizers were expecting a lot of contestants and plenty of people to fill the stands. Thousands of dollars in added cash will be sweetening the pot for would-be cowboys and cowgirls wishing to compete.

Now in its 20th year, the Platte River Rodeo promises fun and excitement for the whole family. Gates open at 6 p.m. Friday and 7 p.m. Saturday, and the fun won’t stop ‘til the cow(boy)s come home.