Take some fresh dirt, tight Wranglers, cowboy boots marked with wear, brawny steeds and some mighty holding-on power, and you've got a good old-fashioned rodeo. Mix it with Billboard chart-topping musicians and charitable intentions, and you've got the Texas Stampede. Now in its third year, the event continues to provide entertaining rodeo performances as well as raise money for Children's Medical Center and the pediatric programs at UT Southwestern Medical Center. This year, the Texas Stampede is hosting the Pace Picante ProRodeo Classic, which features only the top finalists from winter and summer tour finales, including 2002 world champions Trevor Brazil, Speed Williams, Rich Skelton and Fred Whitfield--all of whom headline the roster. The world's top rodeo contestants will compete for a total purse of $500,000 in seven rodeo events: bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping, barrel racing and bull riding. That's a prize worth getting dirty. Not only will you Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association fans get your fix of hard-core competition in an action-packed arena, but you will also get to see artists such as Pat Green, Lonestar and Sheryl Crow perform after each of the three rodeo performances. The event kicks off at 7:30 p.m. on November 7 and November 8 and at 2 p.m. on November 9 in the American Airlines Center. Cowboy up and come out to see professionals "grabbin' the apple" to avoid "eating gravel." For all you tenderfoots out there, that means grabbing the horn of a saddle to keep from being thrown off a bucking bronc or wild steer. Plus, you get to help some special kids get the pediatric treatments they need and deserve. Ticket prices range from $15 to $45 and are available at www.texasstampede.org or by calling Ticketmaster at 214-373-8000. --Jenice Johnson
Huckin' A
11/8
We wish we were so lucky. When we were tots, the best extreme sportsman we saw was the pothead who always skated through the history wing--at least he did before Principal McDickey caught him sneaking water bottles full of Everclear. Kids today are more fortunate as they can go to Reunion Arena (777 Sports St.) on Saturday for Tony Hawk's Boom Boom Huckjam tour. Lord Hawk will lead 15 professional skateboarders, motorcyclists and BMXers through the Huckjam arena, which features a full loop, various connected ramps and a 30-foot drop point. We assume the equipment will afford enough hang time for the extreme superstars, including Bob Burnquist, Buddy Lasek and Matt Hoffman. Tickets are $25 and up by calling Ticketmaster at 214-373-8000. --Sam Machkovech
Dog-Lympics
11/6
When your dog resembles a log with legs and doesn't respond to the commands "Sit," "Fetch" and "Not on the rug!" you can be pretty sure you'll never be entering a dog agility or obedience trial. But to see dogs from the United States, Canada, Mexico, Japan, Belgium and Russia that actually have skills, visit the Cynosport World Games, November 6 through November 9 at Las Colinas Equestrian Center, 600 E. Royal Lane in Irving. The four-day event includes agility tests, a flyball tournament, a flying disc competition and freestyle exercises. Admission is free on Thursday and Friday, and $10 for adults and children over 6 on Saturday and Sunday. Call 1-888-AGILITY for recorded info. --Michelle Martinez
Ticket to Ride
11/8
It's bittersweet that the genius of Gilda Radner is just so much pop-culture history. Thanks to broadcast archivists, though, Radner's zany characters and sketch comedy will tickle funny bones for all time. Radner's spirit has also inspired charitable events to fight cancer across the country. On Saturday, motorcycle riders will travel 160 miles in the second annual Gilda's Club Ride for Life, which begins at 8:30 a.m. at Gilda's Club North Texas, 2710 Oak Lawn Ave., and ends at 5:30 p.m. at American Eagle Harley-Davidson, 5920 S. Interstate 35 E. Advance registration is $35 per single rider and $60 for two-up or $40 per single and $70 for two-up on Saturday. Call 214-219-8877. --Annabelle Massey Helber
