Cluny Lions Charity PBR returns

By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Cluny Lions Charity Professional Bull Riding (PBR) returned July 2-3, bringing with it some of the best bull riders, and some of the best bulls in Canada.

Volunteer Coordinator, Slim Wilson, said the PBR was happy to be back at Coulee Creek Farms with some of the best in the business, helping to raise money for good causes.

“We started it in 2017, [and] over the three years we’ve had it previously we’ve had some of the best bull riders in the world come and raise money,” he said.

“Since that first year, we’ve raised right around that $48,000 mark for the Wheatland Hospice.”

Wilson estimated 21 riders came out on Friday, and 23 showed to compete on Saturday. 

Canadian Bull Riding heavyweights including Lonnie West, Dakota Buttar, and Cody Coverchuk were among riders to brave the ring on Saturday.

Proceeds from the events over the Friday and Saturday were donated once again to the Wheatland Hospice, as well as this year to STARS.

Wilson explained the initial plan was to have the “technically two separate events” spread out, but it became easier to host them one-after-the-other based on Alberta’s reopening.

“We originally had two separate events scheduled for June 12 and July 3, and about the middle of May we decided to move the June 12 date back and just put on two days back-to-back,” he said.

Due to provincial health restrictions being lifted, personal health precautions were left up to patrons who decided to attend.

Wilson added he believed many people who typically attend PBR events may still have been hesitant due to how soon after restrictions lifted that the event was held, but he still hoped to see between 400 and 500 people per day come out to support the sport.

At the conclusion of the Saturday event, Buttar walked away with a plaque indicating his victory in the ring.

Wilson explained it will be some time still before an accurate tally is calculated for how much was raised for each charity.