Sedona, Arizona: The thundering hooves, bucking broncs and tough-as-leather cowboys are sure to get your blood pumping during the daily performances of Prescott Frontier Days & The World's Oldest Rodeo presented by Coors, June 29-July 4, 2007. The Rodeo and a wide array of other special events take place in the cool pines of beautiful downtown Prescott, Arizona.
The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association nominated Prescott Frontier Days as one of the top outdoor rodeos in the nation in 2004. Several new events and increased prize money will make this year's rodeo better than ever.
Five-time World Champion Bullfighter Rob Smets is this year's Rodeo Grand Marshal. Known as "Kamikaze," Smets is as tough as they come, which is really saying something considering the rigors of the bullfighting and rodeo world. Smets came back to compete despite breaking his neck twice. In addition to five World Champion Bullfighter titles, Smets is also a 17-time National Finals Rodeo Bullfight Qualifier, a 6-time National Finals Rodeo Bullfighter, and a 9-time Professional Bull Riders World Championships Bullfighter. Finally, after a third broken neck in 2006, Rob retired and was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame that same year.
The World's Oldest Rodeo is taking a turn towards the high-tech: a large video board with instant replay capability will capture all the heart-stopping action for the fans.
The specialty acts for this year's rodeo are Tommy Lucia & Whiplash and Mike Matt. Tommy Lucia has been a premier entertainer and performer for the past 35 years, and is recognized as one of the country's top animal trainers. The most recognizable testimony to this feat is Whiplash, an 18-year old Capuchin monkey who's been riding since the age of two.
Mike Matt, a seasoned veteran who won the 2004 Professional Bull Riders bull fighting competition during the PBR national finals in Las Vegas, will serve as bullfighter at this year's rodeo. Mike will also perform his specialty act in which he rides Roman style (standing astride two horses), leaping over an automobile.
In addition to the thrills of daily, action-packed rodeo competition, a host of special events await visitors each and every day. Kick up your spurs on the evenings of June 28 - 30 at the Rodeo Dance. Enjoy the horses and floats in the Prescott Frontier Days Parade the morning of June 30. Browse the many arts and crafts for sale on the Courthouse Plaza, June 30 and July 1 and 2. Test your mettle in a 10K race and 2-mile fun run on the morning of July 4.
