The Old West is part of our culture. One upcoming event and one recent event depict the importance of this western heritage to our city. And they exemplify the outstanding quality of Amarillo's multipurpose arenas and exhibit halls that attract cowboys and cowgirls from coast to coast, along with numerous concerts, symphonies, trade shows and a host of other events. The Amarillo Civic Center hosts the Working Ranch Cowboys Association World Championship Ranch Rodeo at 7 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, as well as a number of related WRCA events that will attract thousands of western enthusiasts to the city. Amarillo National Center on the Tri-State Fairgrounds.
Team penning is the nation's fastest growing equine sport.
At the Amarillo National Center, more than 1,600, three-horse teams took part in events from Oct. 30 through Saturday. The World Championship Ranch Rodeo will be at the Civic Center for the fifth straight year. About 150 cowboys and cowgirls from across the United States and Canada, and thousands of family, friends and fans, are arriving daily for the WRCA event. There are 14 ranches taking part, each of which has won a regional rodeo to qualify for the finals. New entries this year come from Idaho, Wyoming and Montana.