By CINDY LADAGE
Illinois Correspondent

GORDYVILLE, Ill. — From Nov. 5-7, the Central Finals Rodeo will be held in Gordyville, USA, which is considered to be the premier horse show arena in the Midwest.

“The Central Finals Rodeo includes five states,” said Jodi Quiram, co-owner and event planner of Gordyville, USA. “Winners from the surrounding states bring in the top cowboys and cowgirls who will compete for championships and awards.

“It is man against horse,” added Quiram. “The rodeo takes skills that date back to when ranching started and they had to break horses.”

Competitors compete for year-end championship titles in seven events including bareback riding, saddle broncs, calf roping, team roping, bull riding and barrel racing. The top stock contractors and stock will be on track for three rounds of competition.
The event takes place Friday, Nov. 5 at 7 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 6 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 7 at 2 p.m.

“It is exciting to watch,” said Quiram. “This is a great rodeo. They give away saddles and buckles.”

The Central States Rodeo Assoc. was founded in 2004. According to its website, “the Central States Rodeo Assoc. is dedicated to the promotion and preservation of the sport of rodeo and the western heritage from, which it was developed; striving to ensure fairness and honesty in competition; to promote fellowship among stock contractors, contestants and producers; to promote humane treatment of animals; and to inspect, sanction, and advertise rodeos being sponsored in accordance with Association standards.”
To compete at the finals, Quiram explained that the contestants had to win the local rodeos in their states to be eligible to be part of this event. Along with the rodeo, there will also be a trade show and food vendors opening at 5 p.m. she said.

“As part of the trade show there will be a mechanical bull, pony rides, western tack, purses, jewelry, art and you name it,” Quiram added.

The rodeo on Sunday is at 2 p.m. with doors opening at noon. Saturday night will be “Tough Enough to Wear Pink” in support of breast cancer awareness.

“Everyone is encouraged to wear pink,” she mentioned.

Items will be on sale with proceeds going to breast cancer research. Attendees can dance to DJ Bob Bass on Friday and Saturday after the rodeo. The proceeds from the Saturday night fundraiser will be donated to the local American Cancer Society chapter.

“This is our chance to give back,” Quiram said.

If looking for tickets, those purchased in advance sell for $10 adult, $5 child 5-12 and 4 and under are free. Ticket outlets are located at Rural King, Rantoul & Champaign, Pards Western Shop, Urbana, WHPO-Hoopeston, Eastern Illini Electric Co-op, Paxton, and Sadler Feed Mill, Ogden, Ill.; The Beef House, Covington, Ind.; and Gordyville USA.

Box seats-$20-only sold at Gordyville USA. Call 217-568-7117 or go to www.gordyvilleusa.com for ticket information. Also, Gordyville is a heated facility, which can hold more than 700 portable stalls and has two indoor arenas, an indoor make-up arena and an outside arena. Gordyville is home to NBHA, NRHA, POA, AQHA, NCHA, Miniature, Arabian, APHA, Appaloosa, and Palomino shows.