MIDALE - Spectators in Midale were treated to a night of rodeo action Friday night with the return of the Midale Bull Bash.
“It was a great night,” said (?) with the event. “It was a great crowd here. The stands were all full. I was very happy with turnout that happened and we had a good show put on.”
He estimates at least 600 people were in attendance.
Fifteen riders were entered in the competition. In the first round, Aaron Roy of Yellow Grass, who is a former Professional Bull Riders world champion, was in top spot after recording an 83 while aboard a bull named Painted Price. Lonnie Phillips, who hails from B.C., was the only other riding to stay on his ride for the full eight seconds, and he recorded a score of 79.5 while riding Money Moves.
In the second round, Phillips had a score of 88.5 on Crossfires Blackjack and was the only successful rider. He had the winning aggregate of 168 between the two rides.
There was also a grudge match for $500 between Stefan Tonita and William Burrows, but both were bucked off, and so they split the cash. The grudge match is organized every year as an extra feature. The top riders are offered the opportunity to go for more money, but when Phillips and Roy declined, the opportunity was passed to another rider, who selected the person he wanted to ride.
RKO’s Dirty Work was named the top bull of the event based on how well he bucked.
“There was a very high calibre of bulls, and there was some good trying and good show by the riders. Lots of guys rode well, just didn’t make the eight seconds,” said (?).
A cabaret occurred after the Bull Bash, with Crossroads providing the music.
(?) noted this was the first time they have been able to have the Bull Bash since 2019. Last year the pandemic restrictions were lifted just before the August long weekend.
“It was very, very awesome. We were wanting to have it last year, but we just missed the cutoff for restrictions being lifted last year, so we decided not to do it last year, but we sure wanted to do it last year. It was great to have it back, it was great to be able to get out and see people again and be able to have good conversations with people and catch up.”
