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“Rodeo” is a Spanish word and means “a going around”. Rodeos started originally, in the American Southwest, as the annual roundup of cattle by ranchers for the purpose of counting, branding, and selling.

In modern times the term is more commonly used to describe an organised spectator sport in which contestants compete for cash prizes by riding wild horses and bulls. Other rodeo events Include roping, tying, or wrestling calves and steers.

Rodeo as a sport developed during the 19th century. The first rodeos were informal contests waged by cowboys as they roped and tied cattle and broke wild horses for riding. Eventually professional showmen, realising that people would pay to watch these contests, began to buy wild stock, stage contests at county fairs and other such gatherings, and charge admission.

At first, rodeos offered relatively modest prizes and attracted only local cowboys as contestants. However, as rodeos became more frequent and cash prizes became larger, many of the better riders and ropers began to follow the rodeo around the country, competing in contest after contest and thereby becoming professionals. Amateur contestants found themselves unable to compete with the experienced men, and in time the sport’s participants became almost entirely professional.

The fourth weekend of every September sees the Stroud Rodeo, an important fixture on the competition calendar, hit the Stroud Showground on the 25th and 26th September. Check out Stroud Rodeo for more details.

Canoeing is a water sport involving small craft pointed at both ends and propelled by one or more ‘paddles’. The canoe was first used by North American Indians, while another similar type of craft, the kayak, originated among Eskimos.

In a kayak, the paddler sits in a forward-facing position using a double-bladed paddle, whereas in a canoe the paddler kneels, using a single-bladed paddle. Both types of craft are used in the modern form of the sport and strict regulations are laid down for the dimensions and weights of competitive craft.

Kayaks may contain one, two or four paddlers (designated K1, K2, K4, for convenience). Canadian canoes, the name by which racing canoes are now generally known, contain one, two, six or seven paddlers (C1, C2, etc).

Canoeing as a sport began with the founding of the Canoe Club (now the Royal Canoe Club) in England in 1866, and developed on the Continent and elsewhere at the end of the 19th century. There are three main branches of the sport: slalom, wild-water or down-river racing; long-distance racing; and sprint racing. Another variation is canoe-sailing. Slalom is performed on rough, turbulent stretches of river with various hazards, such as rocks, rapids and gates (two poles which hang just above the water) to negotiate.

Canoe Barrington, not that far from Gloucester, gives locals and visitors a chance to enjoy canoeing in a safe and friendly environment. If you’re travelling from further afield you can also make use of the accommodation, which can even cater for larger groups such as schools and youth organisations.

Articles to do with stuff in, around or related to the region surrounding the 100 mile road that is steeped in history. Journeying through four council areas, there’s a lot to see and learn about the area, but you must know where to look!

We’ll be regularly sharing information on this blog, feel free to leave feedback in the blog replies.

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