ARCOLA - The Arcola Rough Stock Rodeo had new events added to the program to go along with its existing offerings.
It takes a mountain of volunteers to make this event happen and it started many weeks in advance to get the show on the road.
This year it was all hands on deck when a new pavilion was built as a joint project between the Arcola Fair Society and the Arcola Rodeo.
The large, permanent structure needed several work bees. One was for the roof after the trusses were put up and the metal needed to be placed. Another was for the canvas tarps that needed to be installed on the walls for protection against wind and rain.
It will house the beer gardens, stage and dance floor for the rodeo and hold many other events throughout the warmer months.
On Aug. 25 the excitement for the rodeo started to build at the grounds when barrel racers arrived to register and tried to qualify for the top 10 the main event that evening.
Around 65 horses and riders came to turn and burn the barrels.
When spectators arrived later in the day, the rough stock supplied by Primetime Rodeo, Lazy S Bucking Bulls and Bar H Stock Contractors were penned in the back and ready to put on a show.
Pre-show entertainment would be the Truco Trick riders. These three young women wowed the crowd with their stunts on horseback. While the riders stood on their horses or hung from the sides, the faithful horses did not miss a stride.
Kingston Midstream did a cheque presentation as they helped with the financial end of the pavilion, as did the Town of Arcola and the RM of Brock.
O Canada was performed by Reagan Kohler-Hjertaas and then the show began.
With the crowd geared up to cheer, the bareback event was first up and five riders tried beating the eight second clock. Colton Ouelette from Rapid View won the round on True Blue.
Novice bareback had three competitors and Noah Suchorab from Regina came out on top.
Eight teams took their turn at team roping a steer, and it would be Brent Cutler from Carlyle and Ward Cutler from Virden, Man., who took home the heeler and header buckles.
The saddle bronc class was large with 17 riders. The horses gave it their all to get rid of their riders and it was be Cameron Lang who would stick to the saddle and take the win.
Next was on to the junior steer riding. This group had 11 riders, and several made it to the eight-second mark, bringing the crowd to life with some close scores. In the end, Gunner Armstrong from Shellbrook took the win with a score of 72.
Novice saddle bronc brought 10, riders with two riding for the eight seconds. Zane King’s score was 74, giving him the win.
A new event this year was the sheep scramble. Youngsters ran into the arena chasing down the loose sheep, trying to grab a ribbon off the animal's neck. The winner Cordell did the quickest job of this.
Wild pony races have a team of three, and seven teams entered, including a team of Cornerstone Credit Union employees, but it did not pay off for them as Shiloh Mickler, Wyatt Mickler and Caycen Wyatt were the ones to ride the ponies home.
The top 10 contestants from the day's barrel racing jackpot came back to compete for the main event. These women were riding for the win and the scores were close. Ashley Weber clocked a 17.077-second run to take home the buckle.
Next was wild horse race time. Four groups attempted this with Will Foster, San Turcotte and Jordan K. taking the win.
Fifteen novice bull riders did their best to ride for eight seconds, and Lucas Ozirney had a score of 79 for the win.
Women’s ranch bronc brought lots of excitement and was a new event this year. The five women all struggled to remain on for a qualifying ride.
Bull riding was the last event of the night with 14 riders wanting bragging rights. These bulls were aggressive and had many riders bucked. Holden Atkinson from Black Diamond, Alta., won riding Sling Shot with a score of 73.
The pickup men for the evening where Blade Young and Kevin Smith. To entertain the bulls and keep the riders safe were Caleb Bedford and Cody Strandquist.
Food vendors had a steady flow of customers all night long with some items running out due to the demand.
The Johner entertained the crowd on the new stage in the pavilion. Joining them were special guests The Johner Boys.
As the evening cooled off, the dance floor filled, and the music turned up to finish off another year at the Arcola Rough Stock Rodeo.
