A cowboy fails to stay atop his horse during the 2010 rodeo. The Pilot/Jef Hatch.

Plenty of contestants will be battling the clock while bull riding and barrel racing during this year’s Redwood Coast Rodeo.

The rodeo, sanctioned by the California Cowboys Professional Rodeo Association and the Northwest Professional Rodeo Association, allows riders from both organizations to participate in the event.

Randy Hatfield, fairgrounds chief executive officer, said this change has boosted participation and allowed the rodeo to flourish.

Plenty of contestants will be battling the clock while bull riding and barrel racing during this year’s Redwood Coast Rodeo.

The rodeo, sanctioned by the California Cowboys Professional Rodeo Association and the Northwest Professional Rodeo Association, allows riders from both organizations to participate in the event.

Randy Hatfield, fairgrounds chief executive officer, said this change has boosted participation and allowed the rodeo to flourish. 

Hatfield also credits the local rodeo committee for helping keep the rodeo alive. 

“We’re very fortunate in this community to have a rodeo committee,” Hatfield said.

This year’s rodeo will begin with a special flag ceremony featuring skilled horse riders carrying flags and performing as a unit. 

According to Hatfield, the flag ceremony has become a favorite of rodeo attendees and that it features a large number of horses. 

“Every year they try to make it new and refreshing,” Hatfield said.

Upon completion of the opening ceremonies, cowboys and cowgirls will try their hand at staying on a bull for eight seconds and pushing for the fastest time while barrel-racing. 

Prior to the main rodeo, kids ages 2 to 19 will compete in bull riding, sheep wrangling and barrel racing as part of the Junior Rodeo.

2011 marks the fourth year of the Junior Rodeo and Hatfield said it’s a popular event. He said parents enjoy watching the youngest kids compete in mutton busting – similar to bull riding, but on a smaller scale.

The Junior Rodeo begins at 10 a.m. today (Aug. 6) and the C.C.P.R.A. Rodeo will begin at 4 p.m. Both events take place in the North Valley Bank Arena Grandstand at the Del Norte County Fairgrounds.