Jimmy Richards’ bucking horse futurity was another rousing success. The event, founded in 2012, is a showcase of future bucking horse stars.
Stock contractors supply teams of three horses, aged four to five years old, with points awarded by four qualified rodeo judges for each bucking horse and contestant. The highest cumulative team score wins. After the ride, four pick up men swoop in. As these are young, inexperienced horses, two of the pick up men focus on getting the rider and two concentrate on helping the young bronc with bucking horse etiquette — being handled, flank removal and being escorted to the out gate with a minimum of fuss.
Spectators included bronc riding aficionados and many stock contractors who are always looking to improve their stock roster.
The winning team was Bar Code Buckers, ramrodded by Dustin and Tim Thompson with their horses; #101 Rambler-82 points, #125 (unnamed)-80 points and #121 Aussie Rules-80 points, taking home $4,000.
Congratulations to the bronc riders; Keenan Reinhardt of Bearspaw, Alta., who won the first round with 79 points on MX Bar Ranches Red and White for $500, and Jake Brown of Eckville, Alta., who won the second round with a 73 on Yule Ranches #225 Tornado for $500. Jake also won the average for another $1,120.