Thunderstorm stops rides and rodeo at Whoop-Up Days

The rain started during the Ladies Barrel Racing event, and quickly intensified.

Thunderstorm starts during Ladies Barrel Racing event at Lethbridge and District Pro Rodeo, August 25, 2022. (Photo: C.Gibson)

Before long, the rodeo and the midway rides both stopped as the storm moved through, and people scrambled to find cover and help keep the rodeo livestock calm.

Horse at Lethbridge and District Pro Rodeo during a thunderstorm, August 25, 2022. (Photo: C.Gibson)

Water quickly pooled on the exhibition and rodeo grounds and the surrounding roadways.

Water pools on roadways near Exhibition Park in Lethbridge, August 25, 2022. (Photo: C.Gibson)

The storm lasted about an hour and a half, but the action soon resumed on the wet fairgrounds and muddy rodeo grounds.

Pro Rodeo resumes on muddy fairgrounds after storm briefly stops Whoop-Up Days events on Thursday, August 25, 2022. (Photo: C.Gibson)

Warrior Relay Race teams prepare to race on a muddy track after a thunderstorm delayed the Whoop-Up Days rodeo, August 25, 2022. (Photo: C.Gibson)

The thunderstorm left a muddy track for Warrior Relay Race riders, August 25, 2022. (Photo: C.Gibson)

The rain and mud didn’t stop Pro Rodeo or Warrior Relay Race participants from enjoying the ride.

“It’s really a big rush,” said Shelton Jackson, Warrior Relay Race athlete.

Spectators were also all smiles at the end of the night as they made their way across the muddy track after the eventful evening.

Spectators cross the muddy track after a thunderstorm at the Lethbridge and District Exhibition grounds, August 25, 2022. (Photo: C.Gibson)

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by Cathy Gibson

Thunderstorm stops rides and rodeo at Whoop-Up Days

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