Rodeo team welcoming Midwest schools for competition May 5-6

Seven horses and multiple club members were on city campus for students to meet, get close to and have their photos taken.

Craig Chandler | University Communication and Marketing

Chelsea Abels pets a horse as she talks with Rodeo Club member Sydney Veldhuizen during the promotional event outside the Nebraska Union on May 1. The event allowed students to meet, get close to and have their photos taken in advance of the Nebraska Cornhusker College Rodeo.

Members of the Nebraska Cornhusker College Rodeo Program are readying for their home competition, the Nebraska Cornhusker College Rodeo, May 5-6 at the Lancaster Event Center, 4100 N. 84th St.

Nebraska will welcome teams from across the Midwest, including universities and colleges from South Dakota, North Dakota, Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota. Participants will compete for their chance to represent the Great Plains Region at the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association’s College National Finals Rodeo.

Ticketed rodeo shows for the public are slated for 7 p.m. May 5, and 1 and 7 p.m. May 6. The May 5 show is College Night, and students can get discounted tickets with a college ID. The 1 p.m. show May 6 is Family Day. Children 12 and under are free with accompanying adult ticket purchase. The Finals are at 7 p.m. May 6, and will be followed by a meet-and-greet with Nebraska’s rodeo competitors.

Students gather around rodeo club members and their horses on City Campus May 1. The meet-and-greet was organized in partnership with students from the marketing capstone class, led by Rob Simon, associate professor of practice. The class worked with the rodeo club to market the upcoming Lincoln competition.

Reserved and general admission tickets can be purchased in advance, and general admission tickets will be available at the door, beginning 90 minutes prior to each event.

The Nebraska Cornhusker College Rodeo Program is a Registered Student Organization. The team is made up of student athletes who compete in a variety of rodeo events, including bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, bull riding, tie down roping, team roping, barrel racing, breakaway roping and goat tying. They practice during the academic year on East Campus and at the event center. Additionally, they host events on campus each year to promote the sport of rodeo.