Westman residents are getting a chance to see some of the prairie's top rodeo competitors in action.

The Manitoba Finals Rodeo is one of the main events of this year's Manitoba AG EX in Brandon. The three-day event kicked off Thursday night in the Westman Place main arena inside the Keystone Centre.

“We have the top 10 contestants of the year competing, it’s going to be an action packed three days.” Said Dan Tober, Manitoba Rodeo Cowboys Association President. “The sudden death format really adds to the rush of the competition and with everything else going on with Manitoba AG EX, it’s going to be a really fun event."

DAN TOBER
Dan Tober

Tober is expecting to see some big crowds in the stands.

"It's going to be even better for our contestants. They battle it out all summer and they're the best of the best. When they get done riding their horse or throwing their steer, or roping their calf - to look up and there's 5,000 people cheering for them, it's huge."

The Manitoba Finals Rodeo is a sudden death competition with seven major events and two junior events. The major events include saddle bronc, bareback, tie down roping, steer wrestling, ladies barrel racing, team roping, and bull riding. The junior events include junior ladies barrel racing and junior steer riding.

The event continues Friday and Saturday night starting at 7 pm each night. The championship awards will be handed out Saturday night.