Ellicottville Championship Rodeo Honors Lasting Legacy

Jul 2

photos / Rich Rumfola

This weekend is America’s 250th birthday, and there’s no better way to celebrate than heading to the Ellicottville Championship Rodeo, which takes place from July 2-5 at 6319 Sommerville Valley Road in Ellicottville. One of the largest IPRA/APRA sanctioned rodeos in the northeast, the Ellicottville Championship Rodeo is now in its 37th year, and if it isn’t already a summer tradition for the family, this is a great year to begin!

For more than three decades, the Kent family has welcomed guests of all ages to the rodeo, which was founded by H. John Kent. A Great Valley native and lifelong equestrian whose riding stable brought joy to countless people over the years, Kent first partnered with Rawhide Rodeo in 1989, which began the annual rodeo tradition at his property. Just a few years later, he started the spooky Nightmare Hayrides on Sommerville Street, which will return to the property this coming fall to scare folks from all over western New York. Sadly, Mr. Kent passed away in 2025, and this year’s rodeo is a tribute to his legacy of bringing family-friendly fun and a deep appreciation for the rodeo tradition to Ellicottville.

John’s wife, Karen, and daughter, Tammie McCulligh, are now organizing the championship rodeo, which takes place at 7:00pm from Thursday, July 2 through Saturday, July 4 and at 2:00pm on Sunday, July 5. Gates open two hours prior to each rodeo, and there is delicious food available, including chicken barbecue.

Contestants from around the world will compete in events in two categories: rough-stock (riding events) and timed events. Riding events include bareback bronc riding, saddle bronc riding, and bull riding. Riding contestants are given a score on a 25-point scale from two professional rodeo judges who will assess riding style, control, and the rider’s ability to make the eight-second whistle. The horse or bull is also scored on the same scale to assess how well the animal bucks, which may be the only score a rider receives if he or she is bucked off. Timed events include steer wrestling, team roping, cowgirls barrel racing, and calf roping, during which contestants endeavor to complete their event in the shortest amount of time with the fewest penalties.

Other fun rodeo events include the Hardway Buckout Junior Bull riding, rodeo clowns, and the kids stick horse rodeo! Children 10 and younger are invited to register before the event at the K-M Tack Tent, where stick horses will be available to purchase.

The rodeo takes place rain or shine, and parking at the rodeo is free of charge. Buy tickets online now at www.ellicottvillerodeo.com. Note that the rodeo grounds are handicap accessible, including parking, seating, and restrooms. Coolers are permitted, but alcoholic beverages are not allowed. For more information, visit the website or call 716-699-4839.