Record Turnout Expected For Youth Rodeo In Shawnee

Sunday, July 2nd 2006, 2:31 pm

By: News On 6

SHAWNEE, Okla. (AP) -- Officials at the Heart of Oklahoma Exposition Center in Shawnee are bracing for a record number of contestants at the International Finals Youth Rodeo next week.

A total of 1,170 contestants from 33 states have pre-entered to compete in the youth rodeo. Still more contestants are expected to sign up this week for the rodeo, which begins July 10th and runs through July 15th.

The rodeo has already received reservations for 1,215 horse stalls, with 963 of those inside and the remaining 252 outside. Normal capacity for the expo center is 800 indoor stalls.

The International Finals Youth Rodeo is in its 14th year in Shawnee, which is about 35 miles east of Oklahoma City.