I had a great time chatting it up with Toughest Cowboy Erik Wolford! He will be here Friday and Saturday competing in the World's Toughest Rodeo competition at Xcel Energy Center. Erik has been competing in Toughest Cowboy competitions since 2007. He really loves what he does...and is pretty darn good at it, too!
Erik competes in the 3 most dangerous events in the World's Toughest Rodeo - bareback horses, saddle bronc horses, and bulls. I am so excited to see him ride tomorrow night.
Erik grew up in Michigan and has been around horses all of his life. He started riding horses when he was a tot and became mighty good at it as he grew up. He spent a lot of time around rodeo folks and learned the rodeo at an early age. There is not really any formal training that goes into rodeo events. He just learned as he went. Amazingly, he rode his first bull at age 12! He is now 25 and one of the World's Toughest Cowboys!
He went to a World's Toughest Cowboy boot camp down in Mesquite, Texas and won a spot in the World's Toughest competition in 2007. He's been at it ever since.
Erik says that the best part of travelling with this event is the freedom that it gives him. He gets to see lots of great places and travel all over the US. He is looking forward to visiting the Mall of America when he comes to the Twin Cities!
Please check out our other Macaroni Kid interviews:
Mari Anne from Farmington interviewed Coppertown Rodeo Clown Bert Davis
Shannon from Carver County interviewed Toughest Cowboy Charlie Baker
World’s Toughest Rodeo bucks its way back to Saint Paul with two thrilling shows Friday-Saturday, Feb. 4-5 at Xcel Energy Center starting at 7:30 p.m. each night. The toughest cowboys in the world show off their speed and skill in action-packed events that will entertain the whole family. There will be free pony rides before the rodeo each night and the first 500 kids (12 and under) Friday night receive a free cowboy hat.
See world champion cowboys prove their grit in bull riding, bareback, saddle bronc and barrel racing exhibitions of power and agility. There is something for everyone – from barrel racing cowgirls to the wild antics of the rodeo clowns. World’s Toughest Rodeo is an exciting spectacle families won’t soon forget.
The popular “Party on the Dirt,” featuring live entertainment by a nationally renowned recording artist, will take place once again following Saturday night’s rodeo action. K102 contest winners get access to the “dirt dance,” but all rodeo fans are welcome to stay and enjoy the live entertainment.
Kids 12 and under are half price. $5 adult discount for advance Friday night purchase (24 hours prior to the event – close of business on Thursday, Feb. 3). No discounts for Gold Buckle Seating. Prices increase $2 day of show for Saturday rodeo. Call 651-312-3486 for group tickets (12+).
Jerrod Niemann, Country Music Association “New Artist of the Year” nominee, will perform Saturday night, Feb. 5, for the popular “Party On The Dirt” following the World’s Toughest Rodeo. K102 contest winners get access to the “dirt,” but all rodeo fans are welcome to stay and enjoy the live entertainment. Jerrod Niemann recorded a pair of independent albums and wrote songs for country stars like Garth Brooks, Jamey Johnson and Blake Shelton before releasing “Judge Jerrod & The Hung Jury,” which debuted at No. 1 on Billboard's country albums chart in July. The first single "Lover, Lover" topped the country chart, a remake of Sonia Dada's "You Don't Treat Me No Good No More." Currently on the charts with his new single, the Top-30-and-climbing hit, "What Do You Want," Niemann has been touring with Gary Allan and will hit the road in January with Darius Rucker and Brad Paisley.
Get your tickets now by visiting Ticketmaster.
