Cowboys and Cowgirls of all ages are saddling up in Chowchilla

CHOWCHILLA, Calif. (KFSN) -- Thousands of cowboys and cowgirls of all ages are competing in Chowchilla this weekend. This is the 35th annual California Chapter Finals of the American Cowboys Team Roping Association.

Mike Sweeney the Business Manager of the American Cowboys Team Roping Association said, "We have people here from the Mexican border all the way to the Oregon border that have competed all year long and now they get to come here and compete for prizes and money probably in excess of over $330,000 over a four-day period."

What makes them different from other team roping competitions-- it caters to all levels of ability. Organizers say some of their riders are over 80-years-old and one of their events is called The Century.

To compete in that event both riders must have a combined age of at least 100 years.

Team ropers from all over the state come to compete saying this is a great family-friendly event.

"This event, it's the finals; it's the best roping of the year. They get a lot of teams and it pays decent money," Sean McRoberts, a competitor, said.

"Well the state finals, they have a lot of money and we work all year to get qualified to come to it. They give great awards. You see everyone here, everyone that we've roped with all year," said Karen Dias, a competitor.

This event goes through the weekend and the best part-- it's free to come out and watch.