The Manor Fun Daze Committee held their annual event July 23 before good crowds and with cooler summer weather. The day was highlighted by that night’s Professional Bull Riders (PBR) competition.
The day started with a parade on Main Street. The Manor Fire Department put on a barbecue lunch with the 2023 Manor School graduating class manning the food booth. There was face painting, a mechanical bull and a bouncy castle on the grounds.
A barbeque pork and beef supper was catered by Rylan and Cindy Weir. The beer gardens were operated by the Fun Daze committee.
Fourteen years ago, the PBR came to Manor, and it has become an annual stop on their Western Canadian Tour. Points are accumulated at every event based on successful rides and the degree of difficulty.
Blaine Fyson has been the manager of operations for many years and was in attendance. The Manor competition attracted both junior and professional riders with eight stock contractors providing an impressive lineup of 40 experienced and ornery bulls.
This highly anticipated event began with local flag bearer Ashley Weber and the universal rodeo prayer. Warming up the audience, two Truco trick riders, Shayda King of Corning and Bailey Steeves of Carnduff, entertained the crowd.
Junior bull riding started things off with all seven participants unable to last the required eight seconds on some very unco-operative bulls. Fifteen professional riders tried their luck in round one. Nick Tetz, who hails from Calgary, along with 2020 PBR champion Dakota Buttar from Eatonia, and the Aaron Roy of Yellow Grass were the only ones to ride their bulls for the allotted time.
After a short intermission, round two began. Junior bull rider Kaden Piper of Stoughton was the only one able to survive the full eight seconds.
In the second round of professional competition, Coy Robbins of Camrose, Alta., had a successful ride and had the highest individual point count at 85. Buttar rode Bat Chute Crazy and with two consecutive successful mounts was declared the winner.
While the senior riders are professional, so are the bulls. During round one, a trio of bulls named Funkadelic, Toxic Traits and Get Ugly shed their riders by a cumulative time of less than six seconds.
“On every ride, cowboys face over a thousand pounds of explosive hamburger,” said the rodeo announcer.
At the conclusion of the Manor event, four of the riders in attendance were ranked in the National Canadian Top Ten. Logan Biever of Claresholm, Alta., is ranked four, Buttar is fifth, Roy sixth and Tetz 10th.
Thirty-five-year-old Aaron Roy has earned over $1 million in his professional career. All are gearing up to qualify for the Canadian Nationals to be held in Edmonton Nov. 12 at Rogers Place.
Local residents in attendance enjoyed the day.
“The trick riders were terrific, and I understand Shayda has been on a horse since she was a toddler. Bailey has only been riding for a few months. The riders had a challenge as a lot of the bulls were antsy to get out of their chutes,” said Katie Curran.
“Manor Rodeo has always been something we look forward to every summer. The cowboys and bulls always put on a good show and Weir’s supper is fantastic,” added Anita Delalleau.
“Always a great time at the PBR in Manor. The bulls and cowboys were all there to give the fantastic crowd a good show. All the cowboys and behind the scenes helpers need a big round of applause for a job well done. See you next year,” said Shirley McCarron.
Manor Fun Daze treasurer Wendy Zandee was pleased with how the day turned out.
“We had a good crowd for the bull riding and the stands were full. The weather was perfect and we wish to thank all our sponsors, volunteers and those who attended. We are looking forward to hosting another PBR event in July of 2023.”
