The Calgary Stampede rodeo kicks off Friday afternoon with a handful of locals taking part in Pool "A."

Up first is 2013 bareback champion Matt Lait from Cayley.

In bull riding Claresholm's Chad Besplug, Strathmore's Scott Schiffner, and Black Diamond's Tyler Thomson are the locals taking part.

And Sam Kelts from Millarville takes his shot in saddlebronc.

The rodeo gets going at 1:15 Friday afternoon.