Viking Stampede Rodeo Starts Thursday

Marshall, Mo. (Sept. 17, 2025)-  The Missouri Valley College rodeo programs are set to host the annual Viking Stampede Rodeo this week at the Saline County Fairgrounds in Marshall, Mo. This is the only home event of the year for the Viking rodeo teams and marks the beginning of the 2025-26 rodeo competition season.  All Missouri Valley College students, faculty and staff have free admission to each night of the rodeo.

The Viking Stampede Rodeo brings in all programs competing in the Ozark Region.  The region is comprised of teams from Missouri, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Kentucky and Arkansas.  Last season, the men's rodeo team captured a ninth-straight Ozark Region championship, and the women's team was the region's reserve champion.

The men's team returns one All-American this season.  Sophomore Kooper Heimburg (San Tan Valley, Ariz.) is a two-time All-American, and was the reserve champion in bareback riding at the 2024 College National Finals Rodeo.  Heimburg led the men's team to a reserve championship finish at the CNFR, tied for the best performance in program-history at the National Championship with the 2010 team.

The 2025 Viking Stampede Rodeo takes place Thursday through Saturday at 7:00 p.m., nightly at the Saline County Fairgrounds. Admission is free for all Missouri Valley College students, faculty and staff.  Prices for the general public each night are $10 for adults, $5 for children, and kids five and under are free.  Those in attendance are asked to bring blankets or lawn chairs.