{jcomments on}Spring Classic – Camrose Pro Rodeo
Held March 18-20, 2011
Camrose Regional Exhibition Grounds, Camrose, Alta.
If you like being close to the action then the Spring Classic Pro Rodeo in Camrose should be on your must-see list!
The viewing stands are right up against the fence with an unobstructed view of the entire arena. Next year, order your tickets in advance and choose your favourite viewing area: some folks like the rough stock end while others like the timey end. Still others like to sit smack dab in the middle. (The middle is often where the team roping catches are made, the steers are wrestled to the ground, calves tied and bronc riders picked up.) The arena is intimate and very well lit – plus the accoustics are clean – no problem understanding the announcer. It was easy to pick out the seasoned fans; they brought their own cushion for the plank bench seats.
This years’ classic matchup was fuelled by some of the best rough stock in the business supplied by Outlaw Buckers. On the timey end, the steers were all savvy, the calves fast and the winter of training on the barrel racing horses showed; each running fast, near-perfect runs.
Hats off to the rodeo committee, chute bosses and stock handlers for keeping the rodeo zipping along. There were almost no delays, keeping announcer Les MacIntyre on his toes announcing competitors, stock and sponsors. Again, as always, it was a pleasure to watch the tremendously talented pick up men, especially Blake Schlosser, who effortlessly roped anything within 60 feet that needed roping.
One of the most hard-won, spectacular rides of Sunday was Kyle Thomson on American Trip. The big horse was in the mood to buck and holy smokes, Kyle earned every quarter-second of that ride! Right at the whistle ‘Trip flung Kyle out the front door and he hit hard – but he made it. Kyle won the saddle bronc event, plus split 4/5 with Todd Maughan in steer wrestling. The well-known cowboy was one of the stars of the series; “Rodeo-Life on the Circuit” that recently aired on History Television.
My young friend Nolan Jans of Maple Creek was bucked off hard in Boys Steer Riding and it appeared he hurt his arm. I didn’t have a chance to visit with him afterwards, so I hope for two things: it wasn’t his roping arm (Nolan is a fine working cowboy) and if it was, that he heals up quick.
The young guns of team roping were super hot and the barrel racers were sizzling hot as Crystal Shaw and newlywed Lauren (Chad) Byrne (recently married PBR bullfighter Jesse Byrne) split 1/2 in barrel racing. It was also great to see 2008 Miss Rodeo Canada Aaron Corchesne running the cloverleaf.
Speaking of rodeo queens, Camrose hosted 2011 Miss Rodeo Canada Queen Kezia Morrison and 2011 Miss Rodeo Canada Princess Kirsten Braumandl who, after taking part in grand entry and sponsor flag-fluttering winning runs, cheerfully endured writer’s cramp signing hundreds of autographs for a crush of people.
The rodeo was peppered with lots of fun and witty asides from Bert Davis, a.k.a. the Coppertown Clown (a finalist on America’s Got Talent) who also thoroughly engaged the crowd with his trained dog act. His Muttley Crew is a pack of superbly trained tricksters that Bert and his wife adopted from various animal shelters over the years.
Camrose is Canada’s first pro rodeo of the season and well worth the trip.
***
Here are the unofficial results:
Spring Classic Pro Rodeo Results
March. 18-20 2011 Camrose, AB
SADDLEBRONC
1 Kyle Thomson 83.5 $1,352.37
2 Kyreon Geiger 80 $1,119.20
3 Adam Gilchrist 79.5 $886.03
4 Josh Harden 78 $652.87
5 Delano Kjos 76 $419.70
6 Rylan Geiger 75.5 $233.17
BAREBACK
1 Jake Vold 88 $1,199.71
2 Michael Solberg 83.5 $992.86
3 Gaetan Bernard 82.5 $786.02
4/5 Reid Rowan 81.5 $475.74
4/5 Clayton Bunney 81.5 $475.74
6 Matt Lait 81 $206.84
BULLRIDING
1 Jesse Flett 85.5 $1,434.70
2/3 Beau Brooks 84 $1,000.40
2/3 Kyle Louden 84 $1,000.40
4/5 Miles Pennington 82 $538.01
4/5 Kyle German 82 $538.01
6 Cole Cillins 81.5 $256.19
7 Aaron Gibb 81 $153.71
8 Brett Thompson 80 $102.47
TIE DOWN ROPING
1 Jess Finnerty 8.2 $1,383.90
2 Maurray Pole 8.8 $1,203.39
3 JT Robinson 9.1 $1,022.88
4 Curtis Butterfield 9.3 $842.37
5/6 Steve Lloyd 9.5 $571.61
5/6 Lee Rombough 9.5 $571.61
7 Dean Edge 9.6 $300.85
8 Clayton Moore 9.7 $120.34
STEER WRESTLING
1 Craig Weisgerber 4.6 $1,794.67
2/3 Dayton Roworth 4.7 $1,443.53
2/3 Travis Nickolson 4.7 $1,443.53
4/5 Kyle Thomson 5 $975.36
4/5 Todd Maughan 5 $975.36
6 Harley Cole 5.1 $624.23
7 Stephen Culling 5.2 $390.14
8/9 BJ Zieffle 5.3 $78.02
8/9 Wade Jober 5.3 $78.02
LADIES BARREL RACING
1/2 Crystal Shaw 13.61 $1,546.48
1/2 Lauren Byrne 13.61 $1,546.48
3 Laura James 13.69 $1,189.60
4 Gaylene Buff 13.75 $1,030.70
5 Lynette Brodoway 13.78 $793.07
6 Ramona Nash 13.83 $634.45
7 Kendra Edey 13.84 $475.84
8 Suzanne Depaoli 13.85 $317.22
9 Sheila Harvey 13.88 $237.92
10 Dee Butterfield 13.9 $158.61
TEAM ROPING
1 Kasper Roy / Clay Ullery 5.2 $2,399.15
2 Kevin Schreiner / Travis Gallais 5.3 $1,985.51
3 Justin McCarroll / Clark McCarroll 5.8 $1,571.86
4 Cody McCarroll / Brett McCarroll 6.6 $1,158.21
5 Clint Buhler / Kyle Foden 7.2 $744.56
6 Monty Gertner / Dale Skocdopole 10.5 $413.65
STEER RIDING
1 Cooper Zur 77.5 $291.00
2 Riley Claypool 75.5 $218.25
3 Cylas Bigchild 71.5 $145.50
*UNOFFICAL RESULTS*
