Leader staff

According to Spruce Point Park Association President Bumpy Churchill, the association’s eighth annual rodeo on June 28 and 29 had participants from as far away as Australia! All over Canada too, says Churchill.

But perhaps best of all for the spectators was the presence of a good number of local – or at least regional – competitors, from Kinuso, Slave Lake, Canyon Creek, High Prairie and Smith.

Some examples: Noah Sisson of Slave Lake won the junior bull-riding event. He also placed fourth in novice horse riding and fifth in bareback. Drayder Pearson of Canyon Creek was third in steer wrestling; Blake Williams of Kinuso was fifth in the same event.

Janine Wolfram of Slave Lake placed eighth in ladies barrel racing.

From High Prairie, the Pratt brothers – Owen and Dawson – tied for first in team roping.

The rodeo is part of what Churchill calls the semi-pro Wildrose Rodeo Association circuit. It certainly had a professional appearance, with lots of first-class performances, and events running like clockwork.

For the second year in the row, organizers were able to offer free admission, which didn’t hurt the attendance. On Saturday, at least, the stands were pretty much full.

“A big thanks to all of our sponsors,” Churchill says.

Also part of the rodeo weekend again was the ‘Ridin’ for Reed’ event on the Friday evening. It included mini buckers, pee wee, junior, ladies and dads barrel racing, and for a grand finale, something called a ‘team roping jackpot.’