Annual rodeo rocks Rockyford

By Tyler Lowey, Times Reporter

Part of what makes the Rockyford Lions Agricultural Society Rodeo so special is having local talent compete close to home and in front of family and friends. It is also great because the best athletes from the Foothills Cowboys Association (FCA) are displayed in front of rodeo fans from across Western Canada.
Both factors were prevalent in the 61st annual rodeo last weekend.
The three-day event saw hundreds of fans pass through the rodeo gates to enjoy some of the finest rodeo with some great weather.
With 12 different events, there were 193 contestants, with 32 athletes from across Wheatland County.
The local cowboys and cowgirls might not have received the results they would have liked, but they certainly enjoyed being part of the historic show in front of family and friends.
“I was a little nervous before my ride with my family and friends here, but once the bucking chutes opened, I was fine,” said Griffin Koester, a Rockyford product who rode in the junior steer riding. “It’s just great to be in the rodeo that I watched as a kid.”
There were some very impressive times and scores laid down over the weekend.
Cranbrook’s Brandy Vogt captured the ladies’ barrel racing title with a steamy 15.932-second run.
Barrhead’s Tate Schmidt and his partner Kash Bonnett of Ponoka pulled off an impressive time of 6.5 seconds to win the team-roping event.
Blake Newton of Del Bonita, Alta., set the bar high with a 3.9-second run in the steer riding July 28. His run was more than a full second faster than Brian Soucy’s time of 5.0 seconds to win the title.
In other events, Lindon Woods won the bareback event with a score of 73 points on a horse named Hy N Dry. Tanner Eno of Coronation rode Hybrid Theory for a first-place score of 78 in the bull riding.
The calves were speedy in the tie-down, as Colt Cornet of Brant, Alta., saw his July 28 tie of 8.7 seconds hold up for the win.
In the junior barrel racing, Janae Wilson rode to a victory in 16.319 seconds.
Sylvan Lake’s Justin Arksey took the junior bull riding title with a 74 on a bull named 67X.
The junior steer riding was all but settled after the first day of competition, as Mayerthorpe’s Dusty Golden and Coronation’s Cauy Schmidt got in front of the pack with a 73.
Arrowwood’s Beau Gardner is having a fantastic season and currently sits third in the FCA with $1,658.22 in earnings and is eyeing his first trip to the Canadian Finals Rodeo later this fall.
“The cow wasn’t as good as I hoped, it kind of ran in a straight line out of the chutes,” said Gardner after his 70-point ride. “It’s still great to be here, this is my fourth time at Rockyford and the first time I’ve managed to stay on for the full eight seconds. This rodeo is always a little more exciting since it’s closer to home.”
Sawyer Eirikson of Okotoks won the novice horse riding with a 69 on Phantom and Grace Havens rode her horse around the barrels in 16.466 to take the peewee barrel racing title.
Caroline’s Jogan Young covered Tin Smith to the tune of 73 to capture the saddle bronc title.
In the wagon races, Rockyford’s own John Stott won in the Rockyford Steel wagon. Dale Young placed second and saw his B outfit placed third.
In the chariot races, Daryl Rice from Olds won gold, while Rockyford’s Karsen Stott took third and Brian Miller’s outfit took home the bronze.