Wildrose challenges bulls for Foothills campaign

Miriam Ostermann
Times Associate Editor

 

Strathmore-Brooks MLA Derek Fildebrandt and Wildrose Party Leader Brian Jean are accustomed to taking the bulls by the horns in the legislature, but last weekend, the two politicians voluntarily stepped onto the Strathmore rodeo grounds to take on the actual horned animals – all in the name of winning the Calgary-Foothills by-election.
Moments after Fildebrandt addressed Strathmore’s prestigious Running With the Bulls event at the legislature, handwritten notes from the NDP members soon made their way to the MLA encouraging him to participate and thus inspiring the idea.
Within 10 minutes of announcing the challenge, that Fildebrandt and Jean would run in the 12th annual Running With the Bulls event during the Strathmore Stampede if $5,000 are raised, over $3,500 quickly accumulated. Since then, the grassroots members have surpassed their $5,000 goal in what they called a creative way to raise funds.
“I think I realized, that eventually steak wants to eat human from time to time,” said Fildebrandt. “I got a small grazing but otherwise pretty fine, but I was behind some of the worst injuries, luckily behind not in front. It’s not my first rodeo but it was certainly not the usual duties of an MLA, but it was also a great way to promote the Strathmore Stampede in what is a pretty unique event.”
According to Fildebrandt the event garnered more attention and traction in the government since the announcement, and even received donations from politicians in northern Alberta. Jean, whose father was a rancher, called the experience exhilarating and is eager to repeat the experience.
“There’s nothing more important than coming together with a community of strong supporters and an event that’s so incredible,” Jean said. “This is a great Alberta event and we’re proud to be a part of Alberta.”
Inspired by the famed event in Pamplona, Spain, where a number of bulls run through the town streets, the contest has played a predominant role in the Strathmore Stampede since 2003.
Just over 120 participants over the weekend – some dressed in costumes – confronted the brawny bulls as two victorious winners took home $1,000.
“It was stupid but it was a blast,” said Matt Hillhouse, who won Saturday’s event and participated in the Running With the Bulls for the first time. “I just got right in there and I didn’t want to mess around. I figured it’d be a good chance, even if I didn’t win, it’d be a good time, and it was. I don’t think I’m going to sleep for two days.”
Hillhouse’s previous experience with Strathmore was the occasional cup of Tim Hortons coffee on his way through the town, but upon hearing of the event advertised on the radio, he decided to give it a try – a decision that resulted in him taking home the winnings on Aug. 1.
Then, on the following day, Christian James also received the lump of money, when he got up close and personal with the bovines. Unlike Jean, James had no prior experience with the animals.
“I tried to have a lot of fun, and I don’t know what to say, I just tried to get in its face,” James said. “I don’t know much about animals … and I thought it’d be scary. I wanted to do something I was afraid of.”
While some broken bones and injuries are not keeping many of the participants away from trying again next year, Fildebrandt is setting his sights higher. Next year he is shooting to raise $10,000.