Top rodeo riders are back in Central Oregon this week for the High Desert Stampede Rodeo at the Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center in Redmond.

Now in its ninth year since being sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA), the Stampede welcomes world champions from across the country to compete at the First Interstate Bank Center.

The action started Wednesday night with Xtreme Bulls, featuring 40 of the top bull riders in the world competing for a $20,000 purse.

The Stampede continues Thursday through Saturday night.

Thursday includes women’s barrel racing slack at 10 a.m. and a PRCA performance at 7 p.m. Friday includes PRCA slack at 10 a.m. and a PRCA performance at 7 p.m. Saturday features Rascal Rodeo at 10 a.m. and the final PRCA performance at 7 p.m.

The performances include steer wrestling, barrel racing, tie-down roping, team roping, saddle bronc riding, bareback riding and bull riding.

Tickets start at $25 and are available at highdesertstampede.com/visit/tickets.

For more information, visit highdesertstampede.com.

— Bulletin staff report