Hundreds of people descended on Kennedy, a small town that puts on a big show. Where tradition meets community, the Moose Mountain Pro Rodeo celebrated 85 years on the weekend.
The event kicked off on Friday, July 21, with the beer gardens and open mic, while the main action was held on the Saturday and Sunday of the event. Saturday morning saw a pancake breakfast and the Rodeo Slack held, before the annually beloved parade on Main Street. It was a beautiful day and numerous floats were entered to celebrate the rodeo weekend and 85 years of western tradition.
During the day a trade show was held under the new Loraas Disposal Trade Centre, while a demo derby and quad mud fling was also held. Later that evening the popular band Third Degree Birnz played in the evening
At 5 p.m. the action ramped up with the Rodeo Grand Entry kicked off with O Canada performed by a homegrown country artist from Kennedy – Eli Barsi.
The community welcomed back Big Stone Rodeo stock contractor to the event with sub-contractors including Prime Time, Northcott-Macza, JSR, and Big Stone. Jim Turner and John Gillis were this year’s judges and the official timers included Teresa Hougg and Jacqueline McKennitt.
The pick-up men in the arena who assist cowboys off their mounts and bring in the stock following the performances were Brett Thompson and Tyler Kraft.
Announcer Joe Braniff returned to get the crowd going and the filled stands led sores of whoops, hollers, yahoos, and yeehaws as they cheered for the competitors throughout the evening.
The safety of both the people competing and the animals are a priority for any rodeo thus EMS and veterinarians are always on hand. There were a few injuries between the two-days, which were somber moments as the crowd waited to see if the injured were going to be alright as EMS responded.
Action continued on the Sunday, with the Grand Entry at 2 p.m. with a KFC supper, demo derby, and quad mud fling.
"Volunteers are the backbone of the Moose Mountain Rodeo Association," Tye Cancade, President of the MMPR stated, "From the people who pick up the garbage, to the committee board, to all the behind the scene items, there isn't a single penny paid to these individuals. A lot of hard work and dedication goes into putting on an event of this caliber. Thank you to each one of you. I am lucky to lead such a wonderful, hardworking, dedicated, diverse group of people, whose passion for not only the sport of rodeo, but the community of Kennedy is truly humbling."
"I am proud to say that we have made it to our 85th year of this great tradition and plans are already underway for next year's 86th annual pro rodeo!"
One exciting achievement of Cancade's is having found sponsorship for each chute, which was a goal when he took over as president four years ago.
Sanctioned by the CPRA, PRCA, and WPRA competitors took part both times and points events. Barrel Racing, Calf Roping, Steer Wrestling, Team Roping, Tie Down Roping, bull riding, saddle bronc, and bareback. In addition to the professional event, six teams of three competed in the Wild Pony Races. From six to 12-years-old, youth attempted to anchor and one team member ride a wild pony for two jumps. The event was back by popular demand from last year.
The unofficial results as of July 24 as posted on http://www.rodeocanada.com/results_2017/kennedy-july22-23.htm:
Bareback riding:1. Pascal Isabelle, 84.5 points on Big Stone Rodeo’s A43 Gold Dust, $1161.55; 2. (tie) Bobby Peters and Spur Lacasse, 81.5, $861.45 each; 4. Gavin Derose, 79.5, $560.75; 5. Colin Adams, 79, $360.48; 6. Dantan Bertsch, 76, $245.22
Steer wrestling: 1. Cody Cassidy, 3.8 seconds, $1664.95; 2. Justin Miller, 3.9, $1447.79; 3. Curtis Cassidy, 4.0, $1230.62; 4. Baillie Milan, 4.4, $1013.45; 5. (tie) Lucas Parker, Morgan Grant, Layne Delemont and Blake Gagnon, 4.5, $470.53 each
Team roping: 1. Dawson Graham/Dillon Graham, 5.0 seconds, $926.98 each; 2. (tie) Tristin Woolsey/Kiel Wilson and Stacy Cornet/Riley Warren, 5.1, $687.24 each; 4. Roland McFadden/Devin Wigemyr, 5.3, $447.50; 5. Clint Buhler/Rocky Dallyn, 5.5, $287.68; 6. Don Depaoli/Colter Depaoli, 5.7, $159.82
Saddle bronc riding:1. Kolby Wanchuk, 82 points on Big Stone Rodeo’s 83 Pelican Brief, $1333.28; 2. Dawson Hay, 81, $1103.41; 3. Preston Burr, 80, $873.53; 4. (tie) Justin Berg, Casey Bertram and Jim Berry, 79.5, $429.10 each
Tie-down roping:1. Logan Hofer, 8.5 seconds, $1578.47; 2. (tie) Mark Nugent and Bryce Kulbacki, 8.7, $1269.64 each; 4. Alwin Bouchard, 9.0, $950.81; 5. (tie) Jesse Popescul and Mace Perozak, 9.2, $651.97 each; 7. Aaron Miller, 9.4, $343.14; 8. Brent Keaveney, 9.8, $137.26
Barrel racing:1. Shayna Weir, 16.204 seconds, $1258.62; 2. Lynette Brodoway, 16.230, $1078.82; 3. Kendra Edey, 16.245, $899.01; 4. Lane Wills, 16.289, $779.15; 5. Cranna Roberts, 16.296, $599.34; 6. Colby Gilbert, 16.309, $479.47; 7. Kirsty White, 16.394, $359.60; 8. Laura Stokes, 16.434, $239.73; 9. Casey Dacyk, 16.450, $179.80; 10. Carman Pozzobon, 16.485, $119.87
Bull riding: 1. Tanner Girletz, 85.5 points on Big Stone Rodeo’s K2 Sugar Smack, $1256.96; 2. Coy Robbins, 84, $1040.24; 3. Jordan Hansen, 79, $823.52; Ground money: $404.53 each
Novice saddle bronc riding:1. Cooper Thatcher, 72 points, $543.20; 2. Lucas Macza, 71.5, $407.40; 3. Chance Barrass, 70.5, $271.60; 4. Dawson Hay, 69, $135.80
Novice bareback riding:1. Bailey Plaisier, 70.5 points, $434.56; 2. Mason Helmeczi, 68, $325.92
Ground money: $162.46
Steer riding:1. (tie) Jett Lambert and Dexter Patton, 73 points, $339.50 each; 3. (tie) Luke Ferber and Stefan Tonita, 70, $145.50 each
