Sunday's Extreme Cowboy Alberta (ECA) competition at the Cochrane and District Agricultural Society is sold out as the popularity of the challenging sport continues to surge.

ECA president Rick Wickland says Extreme Cowboy racing is the fastest growing equine sport in the world and the challenges offered are all about improving horsemanship.

"The sport is growing and we'd love to have people come out and improve their horsemanship. It's really about horsemanship; more about the horsemanship than the obstacles."

For those who have not witnessed the sport before, Extreme Cowboy is a multi-faceted timed equestrian event that showcases both horse and rider as they manoeuvre through a series of obstacles demonstrating both their horsemanship skills and speed.

Races are held once a month on Sunday at the Cochrane and District Agricultural Society grounds, except in July to September, when there's race both the Saturday and Sunday. Weekends without two races feature a practice day, or "play day" on the Saturday. Clinics are also available.

Currently, they're being held in the indoor arena, which has vastly improved lighting, but come summer participants get a crack at the only outdoor Extreme Cowboy course in Canada that was established last season.

Indoor or outdoor, there's no two courses the same.

"Every race has a different course and this year we have different course designers for every race," says Wickland. "That really changes the races because everybody thinks a little bit differently."

Selling out for this Sunday's race is good news. Had they not opened up more spots for their first race in March it, too, would have sold out, but the event also ran until 8 p.m., longer than they prefer. 

"Now that races are selling out, people are already starting to register for the May race to make sure they get a spot."

ECA has added a new beginner youth event to encourage younger riders to enter.

"The youth got to be a real tough class with a wide range of ages, 11 to 17. So there was a real difference in the riders and it intimidates some from coming out to try the sport.  ECA created another class which we called beginner youth so those new to the sport can come in, even though they're more than 11 years old and have a place to race."

Gauging by the response, it has proven to be a good move. Now more participate in the beginner youth event than the youth class.

Sunday's challenge features 62 rides and 46 competitors (some enter more than one event). There's a full range of ages and skill levels from beginners to pro starting with the Young Guns, ages 7-11. At the other end, there's a 55-plus category for nonprofessionals called Ride Smart. They also have an event to prepare horses green to the sport.

Sunday's event runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free and there's a concession.