Rodeo Committee of the Year Awards
Each year, Canadian Cowboy Country is proud to sponsor the Rodeo Committee of the Year award plaques that are presented to three rodeo committees in recognition of their achievements.
Congratulations to the Ponoka Stampede committee on winning the Large Rodeo Committee of the Year; represented by (left) President Rick Weirzba and Blair Vold, committee member and past president |
Congratulations to the Lea Park Rodeo gang who took home three CPRA awards Nov. 11 in Edmonton: Most Improved Grounds (a.k.a. the Golden Rake Award); Medium-sized Rodeo Committee of the Year; and president Lloyd Gray (front row, right) was named Committee Man of the Year |
Jake Wiebe, representing the Field of Dreams Stampede Rodeo, La Crete, Alta., accepts the plaque for Best Small Rodeo Committee of the Year |
Darcy Hollingsworth and top-selling futurity bucking horse,Pedro, wearing his Futurity Championship halter. The photowas taken on the home ranch north west of Eckville, Alta.,after they returned from Vegas. Photo courtesy Darcy Hollingsworth |
Big Bucks for Bucking, Eh!
Congratulations to Darcy and Tammy Hollingsworth of the Bar Anchor Ranch near Eckville whose bucking horse, Pedro, won the futurity and brought top dollar at theWorld Famous Benny Binion’s Bucking Horse and Bull Sale, held Dec. 4 – 5 at the South Point Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
The five-year-old brown gelding, who goes back to Custer on the sire’s side and Major on the mare’s side, fetched a whopping $54,500 with 2006 World Champion Chad Ferley on board. The dynamo is coming back to Canada as he was purchased by Wayne Vold. Pedro also won the futurity, earning Hollingsworth an additional cheque for $10,000.
The futurity was open to 30 bucking horses (any sex), 4 – 5 years old. The purse was$12,000 added to the entry fee of $750 a head. And who were the riders, you ask? Well, they invited 30 cowboys ranked between 16th – 50th place in the world standings.“There were four World Champions riding in the Futurity,” says Dale Woodward, of Outlaw Buckers. Some of the other Canadians straddling broncs and bares in the Futurity or the sale the next day included Sam Kelts, Todd Herzog, Justin Berg and Luke Butterfield. The payoff for the cowboys was $15,000 added. Ty Pozzobon rode a bull in the sale.
Bucking horse Futurities are rapidly gaining in popularity and one is tentatively scheduled for Rod Hay’s rough stock extravaganza at Wildwood, Alta., on June 3 – 4. “We’re in,” says an enthusiastic Woodward.
Canadian rough stock is legendary, and the bares and broncs packing a Maple Leaf in the Nevada sand were diverse; representing herds owned by the Bar Anchor Ranch, Brenda Logan, Ben Lowry, Dale Woodward, Rex and Vi Logan,Vern McDonald and Justin Twogood. All the Canadian stock brought good prices.
Plus, there is stock coming north across the Medicine Line, including Lunatic Party and Lucky Moon, added to the Outlaw Buckers string. “They are bred to buck,” says Woodward.
Also available at the famous sale were bucking bulls, fighting bulls, pick up horses, an elk hunt in Idaho — even a couple of Colt Commemorative BennyBinion Bucking Horse and Bull Sale firearms.
Benefactors Edwin and Ruth Mattheis Photo courtesy University of Alberta |
University Scores Some Grass
Edwin and Ruth Mattheis have given their 12,300-acre ranch near Duchess, Alta., to the University of Alberta. The ranch, formerly known as the Three Walking Sticks, will house the university’s new Rangelands Research Institute and places the university at the fore front of rangeland ecology and management research. At the same time, the University of Alberta has announced the creation of the Mattheis Chair in Rangeland Ecology and Management.“We are honoured to have this opportunity to play a small role in achieving the goal that has been set for our alma mater by President Indira Samarasekera,” said Edwin and Ruth Mattheis. “It will ensure that the land will forever remain a working ranch and that the moral rights of the existing wildlife will be respected while providing the university with outstanding research opportunities in rangeland and pasture management.”
The university is establishing the Mattheis Chair in Rangeland Ecology and Management.The chair will study rangeland management issues including, but not limited to, soil conservation and water quality, biodiversity, wildlife habitat, land reclamation and livestock production.
The ranch includes lands that once belonged to John Ware, Canada’s most legendary cowboy,who first registered his brand 9999 on Jan. 3, 1898. It was later shortened to 999 — or Three Walking Sticks.
The Mattheis Ranch is the largest gift of land yet recorded to a Canadian university.
The stands were still filling as announcer Gord Colliar and colour commentator Hugh McLennan introduced the competitors in the Sixth Annual Heritage Ranch Rodeo, held in the Kubota Hall at Northlands in Edmonton.The exceptionally popular three-day event enjoyed record crowds Photo by Grant Rolston / www.grantspix.com |
Edmonton’s Heritage Ranch Rodeo
Congratulations to the Mesabi Ranch cowboys — Mike Sears (captain andworking ranch horse competitor), Rem Holowath (bronc rider), Cody Sawley,Derek Sears and Colt Holowath — on their first place finish at the Sixth Annual Heritage Ranch Rodeo in Edmonton, Nov. 7– 9.
Second place was won by the Rocking P Ranch of Nanton and a very close third-place finish went to the R Bar Ranch of Bluffton, Alta.
The Top Hand award was earned by Blake Schlosser of the Rocking P. Top Female went to Carrie Kraft of the 45 Ranch in the Cypress Hills. Top Bronc Rider was earned one jump at a time by cowboy (and singer/songwriter) Matt Robertson. Top Working Cow Horse was won by rancher Nolan Pharis,who was riding for the Bar U at Longview.
Full Heritage ranch rodeo results are on my blog at www.cowboycountrymagazine.com/blog
The High Plains Ranch Supply team from Whitewood, Sask., are the proud winners of the Agribition Ranch Rodeo. From left are: Ryan Beierbach, Scott Watson, Lloyd Thompson, Ralph Corcoran and Harold Knox. Presenting the cheque is Agribition CEO Jason Pollock, left, and Dr. Grant Royan. Photo by Grant Rolston Photography |
Agribition Ranch Rodeo Champs
Ten teams from ranches across the Canadian West loaded up their best horses and best hands and headed to Regina to compete in the third annual Invitational Ranch Rodeo, Nov. 22 – 23, hosted by Canadian Western Agribition.
Congratulations to the winner of this year’s invitational event, the High Plains Ranch team of Carnduff, Sask. Second was earned by Soderglen Ranches of Airdrie, Alta., while two-time defending champions, the Udal Ranch of Maple Creek, took home third.
Winning teams took home top prizes that included a stocktrailer, custom-engraved brass stirrups, custom silver bits andwealth of other goodies. It was well worth the trip, whether inthe stands or in the arena!
Jason Resch crowds in to release the flank while Gary Rempelpicks bareback rider Logan Hodson off Northcott’s Wyatt’s Ghost in the second perf of the 37th Annual Canadian Finals Rodeo |
Legendary Pick Up Man Saves the Day
Record-setting pick up man Gary Rempel averted a total disaster with a routine throw of his lariat at the Canadian Finals Rodeo.
Seconds after bucking off his rider, the young bull, Rewind, trotted down to the timed-event end of the arena. As he passed behind the pick up man, Rempel threw a good shot over the bull’s head. The bovine suddenly launched itself over the fence and into the front row crowd at the side of the timed event chutes. Pandemonium erupted as ticket holders scrambled for safety.
The bull was immediately stopped from rampaging through the stands as Rempel had dallied his rope and held the bull.
Bullfighters Jesse Byrne and Dave Sandilands and Entertainer of the Year CrAsh Cooper vaulted the fence to help contain the situation. The fence panel was quickly removed and the bull was taken out of the front-row seats and back into the bull pen.
Emergency personnel transported an unidentified woman to hospital with serious injuries.
“It was just a routine shot,” Rempel said after the rodeo. “The bull was coming by me and I threw my rope.”
Rempel was quick to down play the drama and his share of the spotlight.
“Our job is to clear the arena quickly and when a bull doesn’t immediately head to the out gate, we rope them and take them out. If the bull had gone by Jason Resch, he would have roped it,too. That’s what we do.”
“I didn’t know he was going to jump the fence,” Rempel added.“I’m glad I didn’t miss.”
The pick up men and the bullfighters are voted to work the CFR bythe contestants. This year’s ‘Life saver Squad’ included Saskatchewan natives Rempel, Resch, Sandilands, Cooper, Byrne – and alternate bullfighter Scott Byrne. Rempel was voted Cowboy ofthe Year in 2009.
The bull has been banned from all pro rodeo competitions. Hosted by seven-time Canadian Rodeo Announcer of the Year Joe Braniff and fellow announcer and auctioneer Rob Bergevin, the CFR aired every night on Shaw Cable.
Photo courtesy Billy Melville |
Where in the World is Canadian Cowboy?
The Parthenon in Athens, Greece, is a temple in the Athenian Acropolis dedicated to the Greek goddess Athena, whom the people of Athens considered their protector. Its construction began in 447 BCE and was completed in 438 BCE. The Greek Ministry of Culture is currently carrying out a program of selective restoration and reconstruction. It is the most important surviving building of Classical Greece and its decorative sculptures are considered some of the high points of Greek art. The Parthenon is regarded as one of the world’s greatest cultural monuments and is a popular destination for travellers, including Lorne and Marie Hiller of Calgary, who celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at the famous site.
2011 Miss Rodeo Canada Princess Kirsten Braumandl of Williams Lake,B.C. and 2011 Miss Rodeo Canada Kezia Morrison of Okotoks, Alta. Photo by Robert Bray |
2011 Miss Rodeo Canada Pageant
Congratulations to 2011 Miss Rodeo Canada Kezia Morrison and 2011 Miss Rodeo Canada Princess Kirsten Braumandl! The newQueen and Princess were crowned at the gala luncheon held at the newEXPO Centre at Northlands Park. The First Ladies of Rodeo are looking forward to an exciting year representing Canada’s professional rodeo.For more information on Miss Rodeo Canada and pageant information,visit www.missrodeocanada.ca
Fred Gladstone competing in calf roping at the 1950 Calgary Stampede Photo courtesy Calgary Stampede Archives |
Empty Saddles
Frederick W. Gladstone, 1918 – 2010
Canadian Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame cowboy Frederick William Gladstone, 92, from the Blood Reserve, died Nov. 29 in Standoff, Alta. The son of James Gladstone, Canada’s first aboriginal senator, Gladstone was the Canadian Calf Roping Champion in 1948 and 1950 and won the championship in Wild Cow Milking in 1948 and 1956. He was one of the founding members of the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association, the Canadian Senior Pro Rodeo Association and a commissioner of the Indian National Finals Rodeo for 20 years. He served as the timed event chute boss at the Calgary Stampede for 30years and the timed event chute boss at the Canadian Finals Rodeo for many years.
In 1992, he was inducted into the Canadian Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame. Predeceased by his wife, Edith, he is survived by his sons, Jim (1977 World Champion Calf Roper) and Jeff Gladstone, and
daughters, Caen Bly and Yvonne Wynder.
Curtis Cassidy riding Willy in the 8th round of the WNFR for a trip to the pay window Photo by Mike Copeman |
Canadians at Wrangler National Finals Rodeo
It was a poignant moment at the WNFR in Vegas in the 10th round when both Cody and Curtis Cassidy rode their father’s legendary horse, Willy — perhaps the greatest steer wrestling horse ever — and he took them both to the pay window. Greg Cassidy’s 25-year-old brown gelding has packed four cowboys to World Championships and was officially retired at the WNFR.
Cody went into Saturday night’s closing round and split fifth three ways with a 4.2-second run, Curtis, the two-time Canadian Champion steer wrestler, was the last man to ride Willy in a rodeo arena and the two won the closing round with a time of 3.7 seconds.
“He was amazing and if I’d been on him all week, there’s no tellingwhat might have happened,” said Curtis in an interview with Calgary Herald reporter Dwayne Erickson.
Canadian Champion Bareback Rider Dusty LaValley finished fourth in the aggregate andwound up 10th in world standings. Barrel racer Lindsay Sears picked up sixth in the aggregate. While Canadian champion Dustin Flundra didn’t rise in the saddle bronc standings, he still took some jingle home.
2010 Canadian Champions, from left: Curtis Cassidy, Jesse Torkelsen, TufCooper, Rana Koopmans, Bryce West, Colin Adams, Coleman Watt, DustinFlundra, Chase Simpson, Rocky Dallyn, Dusty LaValley and Steven Turner Photo by Mike Copeman |
2010 Canadian Rodeo Champions!
The top stock and 106 of the rodeo season’s top competitors converged on Edmonton to rope and ride through six gruelling perfs of the 37th Annual Canadian Finals Rodeo (CFR). With a record $1.32 million andCanadian Championships on the line, it was great entertainment for83,936 fans from Nov. 10 – 14.
Congratulations to the 2010 Canadian Champions!
The winners were: Bareback: Dusty LaValley, Bezanson, Alta.; SteerWrestler: Curtis Cassidy, Donalda, Alta.; Novice Saddle Bronc: ColemanWatt, Hardisty, Alta.; Novice Bareback: Colin Adams, Deloraine,Man.; Steer Rider: Bryce West, Cadogan, Alta.; Team Roper (Header): Chase Simpson, Claresholm, Alta.; Team Roper (Heeler): Rocky Dallyn, Nanton, Alta.; Saddle Bronc Rider: Dustin Flundra, Pincher Creek, Alta.;Tie-Down Roper: Tuf Cooper, Decatur, Tex.; Ladies Barrel Racer: RanaKoopmans, Lethbridge, Alta.; Bull Rider: Jesse Torkelson, Warburg, Alta.; All Around Champion: Steven Turner, Cochrane, Alta.; and HighPoint Champion: Curtis Cassidy, Donalda, Alta.
Dodge Canada awards a new truck to the winners of the CFR Top StockAwards. Winners were Saddle Bronc Horse — Get Smart (Harvey Northcott Rodeo) and Bareback Horse — Eclypce (Vold Rodeo Ltd). The bull — VJV Slash (Vold Rodeo Ltd) was judged Best Bull of the CFR, but policy dictates that only one truck per contractor can be awarded, so the Dodge truck was presented to runner-up bull, OLS Tubs-Bombs Away (Outlawbuckers Rodeo Corp.)
For full CFR results including season’s earnings and aggregate winners, please visit www.prorodeo.com or my blog on www.cowboycountrymagazine.com
Aaron Roy stands in the spotlight after winning his second PBR Canada Championship. The buckle was made by Jeffrey Scott Fine Magnetics, Official Buckle of the PBR. Photo courtesy Bull Stock Media |
Aaron Roy wins second PBR Canadian National Championship
Aaron Roy, of Yellow Grass, Sask., made Professional Bull Riders (PBR) Canada history on Nov. 20 in front of a packed house in Saskatoon when he become the first rider to earn two Canadian National Championship titles. Roy, who earned his first title in 2008, went 3-for-3 over the two-day Finals.
Roy covered Big Country Rodeo’s Virginia Slim for 86 points in Round One and rode Hot Wired (Sisson Bucking Bulls) for 85.5 points in Round Two. Advancing to the Championship Round, Roy held on for eight a top Hell Bent (Big Country Rodeo) to finish the Canadian National Finals with an 87.5 point ride. This Championship title was particularly memorable for the Saskatchewan native as this was the first Finals held on his home soil.
“Winning this Canadian National Championship title boosts me,” said Roy. “I now legitimately feel as though I am a World Champion contender for 2011.”
After covering all three of his bulls, 2004 PBR World Champion Mike Lee of Decatur,TX, finished the weekend as the Canadian Nationals Finals Event Winner.
“This win means a lot to me,” said Lee. “I enjoy riding up here.”
Lee tied Brian Hervey of Vulcan, Alta., for first place in the Championship Round after riding Forget Me Not (Girletz Rodeo Stock) for an impressive 89.5 points, walking away with $13,744.50 and the event title.
The 2010 Canadian Cup National Finals was presented by Wrangler at the CreditUnion Centre in Saskatoon.