Strathmore ag society excited for upcoming events

By Jacob Miller Times Reporter

With the government of Alberta launching Phase 2 of its reopening strategy, the Strathmore and District Agricultural Society has started to open up the ag grounds for events.

Due to the restrictions put in place with the number of people allowed at events from the start of the pandemic, the society has had to cancel events and rentals, including the Strathmore Stampede.

“It’s only been with the Phase 2 relaunch in Alberta that we’ve been able to resume some activities,” said Ryan Schmidt, ag society general manager.

These activities include baseball, barrel racing and non-spectator rodeos.

“So, things are coming back to life in the ag grounds and we’re very hopeful, but it’s definitely been a tough period for us that we had to struggle through. We’re coming through that and we’re pretty optimistic about the future and our relaunch,” said Schmidt.

One of the events coming up at the ag grounds is the Rodeo School, which takes place Aug. 17-20.

“This is our second annual rodeo school and we’re hosting bull riding, bull fighting, saddle bronc and bareback clinics,” said Schmidt.

The school is a chance to get the kids ready before the High School Rodeo season begins.

“They’ll get on-the-ground classroom training, but mainly they’ll be directly getting on the animals and practicing with feedback right after and coaching beforehand from coaches.” 

The coaches attending this year’s rodeo school are Scott Schiffner, two-time Calgary Stampede bull riding champion, the Johansen Brothers, Zeke Thurston, two-time world champion saddle bronc rider, Skeeter Thurston, Levi Hale and Jake Vold, champion bareback rider.

The school is beneficial for the kids because they’re allowed to get onto as many animals as they want with training and feedback from the coaches.

“So, it allows them to get a lot of practice, a lot of tips from experienced athletes, and a chance to get tuned up before the high school season begins,” said Schmidt.

The school will host 50 kids this year.

The school will be following the Alberta provincial guidelines for social distancing.

In the classroom they will be making sure participants stay apart. In instances where that is not possible, they will require masks to be worn. 

“The outdoor limit is 200, and we’re only talking about 50 kids and coaches; it’s an outdoor space where there is a ton of room to socially distance, so, it’ll be manageable and we’ll make sure that safety is top priority,” said Schmidt.

The ag grounds is also hosting the Senior Pro Rodeo that runs Aug. 22-23.