ABOUT THE BUFFALO RODEO
Since 1955, our Buffalo PRCA Championship Rodeo continues to provide quality family-friendly entertain. We have a permanent arena with bucking chutes on our historic grounds. Rodeo fans cheer on cowboys and cowgirls competing in the seven events, laugh at the rodeo clown’s antics and watch bullfighters protect bull riders.
The Buffalo Rodeo presents an impressive grand entry led by flag girls and rodeo queens, so make sure you come early! We invite you to watch top notch bucking horses and bulls, barrel racers, ropers, and steer wrestlers, as well as dine, shop, and listen to the band after the rodeo.
The facilities are available to rent. There are a number of equine events held here, including the Buffalo Barrel Series and WSCA Shows. The grounds are located a few minutes northwest of the Twin Cities metro area. Saddle up and come enjoy western heritage in Minnesota.
OUR STOCK CONTRACTOR
Established in 1950 Barnes PRCA Rodeo from Peterson, Iowa continues to be a premier livestock contracting company and member of the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association. The longevity of Barnes PRCA Rodeo is captured in the marketplace where community celebrations have been continuous partners dating back 40, 50 and 60 years. The late founder, Bob Barnes, once told a newspaper reporter years ago, “We are to rodeo – what Cadillac is to cars.”
Today Marty Barnes owns and manages all aspects of the livestock, rodeo production and breeding program with his eldest son, Westin. Barnes PRCA Rodeo will produce nearly 30 events across the country in 2018. Since the very first Buffalo Rodeo they have consecutively provided stock every year. Visit their schedule page for a complete listing of events.
The athletic talent of Barnes’ bucking horses, bulls and saddle horses is award winning. Last year marked the 40th anniversary of Crystal Springs being named the 1977 Saddle Bronc Horse of the Year. Red Horse Crossin’ was honored as the 2016 Great Lakes Circuit Saddle Bronc Horse of the Year and made her fourth consecutive trip to the Wrangler National Finals (WNFR) in Las Vegas for the Super Bowl of Pro Rodeo. During the 2015 WNFR, she bucked off her riders and was judged the Best Bucking Horse of the performance in Rounds 3 and 8. The Barnes’ bay mare CAT Power was selected nine consecutive times between 2005-2013 to the WNFR. The foundation sire Boy Ballou continues to influence the breeding program. He made five trips to the National Finals Rodeo.
Barnes PRCA Rodeo is in an elite class of PRCA Stock Contractors. For over 58 years their livestock has been selected for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, since its inception in 1959.
OUR STOCK CONTRACTOR
Established in 1950, Barnes PRCA Rodeo from Peterson, Iowa, continues to be a premier livestock contracting company and member of the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association. The longevity of Barnes PRCA Rodeo is captured in the marketplace where community celebrations have been continuous partners dating back 50, 60 and 70 years. This years rodeo in Buffalo is the 70th with the Barnes group. The late founder, Bob Barnes, once told a newspaper reporter years ago, “We are to rodeo – what Cadillac is to cars.”
Today Marty Barnes owns and manages all aspects of the livestock, rodeo production and breeding program with his eldest son, Westin. Barnes PRCA Rodeo will produce nearly 30 events across the country in 2018. Since the very first Buffalo Rodeo, they have consecutively provided stock every year. Visit their schedule page for a complete listing of events.
The athletic talent of Barnes’ bucking horses, bulls and saddle horses is award winning. Last year marked the 40th anniversary of Crystal Springs being named the 1977 Saddle Bronc Horse of the Year. Red Horse Crossin’ was honored as the 2016 Great Lakes Circuit Saddle Bronc Horse of the Year and made her fourth consecutive trip to the Wrangler National Finals (WNFR) in Las Vegas for the Super Bowl of Pro Rodeo. During the 2015 WNFR, she bucked off her riders and was judged the Best Bucking Horse of the performance in Rounds 3 and 8. The Barnes’ bay mare CAT Power was selected nine consecutive times between 2005-2013 to the WNFR. The foundation sire Boy Ballou continues to influence the breeding program. He made five trips to the National Finals Rodeo.
Barnes PRCA Rodeo is in an elite class of PRCA Stock Contractors. For over 58 years, their livestock has been selected for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, since its inception in 1959.
STORIED TRADITIONS
The Buffalo PRCA Championship Rodeo was founded in 1955 and is Minnesota’s oldest rodeo sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. The PRCA is rodeo’s equivalent to the NHL, NFL, MLB, and NBA. The rodeo is affectionately referred to as “the Buffalo Rodeo” similar to how Minnesotans reference the Vikings or the Twins.
The Buffalo Rodeo was originally owned and managed by local businessman Don Peterson. After ten years of remarkable growth, Don realized the Buffalo Rodeo was too large for one man to handle and transferred ownership to the Buffalo Area Chamber of Commerce. In 2003, a new nonprofit “The Buffalo Rodeo Association” was formed and now the Rodeo is operated independently by this group.
During its 15th anniversary year in 1970, the Buffalo Rodeo built its present-day permanent facility on the rodeo grounds just east of downtown Buffalo, near the Buffalo airport and civic center. The rodeo grounds consist of 20 acres with bleachers, rodeo arena, and bucking chutes. The arena was then referenced as the Buffalo Sports Arena.
In 2001, the arena was dedicated as the “Lester Daluge Sports Arena.” It is named after Lester Daluge, a 30-year member of the committee who lost a long battle with cancer.