Veterans of Ontario's 10-stop summer circuit, Mark McNutt and wife Joanne Fisher -- who recently bought a home in Milton and will move in shortly -- eagerly await the hometown crowd edge when they hop aboard their quarter-horses at Country Heritage Park.

"Being the hometown favourite is a really big deal, so we're pretty excited," said Fisher, who met McNutt on the tour and whose love for the lifestyle stems from her time spent at the Calgary Stampede while living out west.

If history is any indication, McNutt should be in the thick of the championship hunt when he tests his mettle in steer wrestling Sunday afternoon with 15-year-old mount Juice.

He's been the tour's reserve champion (second-place finisher) four of the last six years now and looks to add to that successful track record in his Milton showcase.

"Oh yeah, I'm going there to win it," said the seasoned cowboy, who grew up around rodeos.

"It (steering wrestling) is a big old adrenaline rush and I just love the rodeo atmosphere overall. It's an old way of life."

An accomplished competitor herself, Fisher will pull double duty this weekend.

Along with her barrel racing event with nine-year-old Chewy tomorrow (Saturday) afternoon, she'll continue her first season as McNutt's hazer -- which for rodeo neophytes is the mounted cowboy (or girl) who rides along the right-hand side of the steer to keep it running straight for the wrestler.

Running rain or shine from about 2 to 4:30 p.m. both tomorrow and Sunday, the rodeo also includes bull riding and roping.

A classic car show, host of vendors and an appearance by Dodge Rodeo Clown of the Year Shorty Legs will round out the weekend festivities.

Gates open at 10 a.m. both days. Tickets cost $15 for adults, $10 for youths age six to 12 and $3 for children under five.