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In the CorralDec-Jan 2010
Looks Like Team Spirit! The athletes, wearing custom hats (made by Vern Elliott of Cowboy’s Choice) and packing custom OGIO gear bags — not to mention their reputation as double-tough bull riders — created an intimidating sight as they strode into Barretos, Sao Paulo, Brazil to take on the best bull riders from four other countries — all competing in the Professional Bull Riders World Cup. Canada’s PBR World Cup Team made the country proud as ‘the team to be reckoned with.” The men of Team Canada have placed second in their two previous appearances at World Cup events — and this year they faced 80,000 die-hard Brazilian fans and a maelstrom of media coverage for a viewership of 100 million that spanned the globe, including Australia, Brazil, Mexico, the United States and Canada. When the dust cleared, the final results saw Team USA win with 1,387.75 points; Team Brazil in second with 1,217.5 points; Team Canada in third with 1,027 points; fourth went to Team Australia with 685 points; and fifth to Team Mexico with 173 points. Team Canada placed second in Mexico and Australia in the PBR World Cup. No official word yet where the 2010 PBR World Cup will be held; either the eastern seaboard in the States or Canada. Stay tuned…
Calgary Stampede Indian Princess Crowned Weasel Traveller is a woman’s traditional dancer and was raised to be proud of her heritage. At the crowning, she was honoured with a blessing and drum circle in front of friends and family. She is the Ambassador for the Indian Village and will attend more than 200 events throughout the year leading up to next July’s Stampede. “I welcome everyone to visit the Indian Village while attending the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth,” she says. For more information on the Indian Village, please visit www.indianvillage.ca. 2010 Calgary Stampede Royalty The reigning Stampede Queen Kerri Williamson and Princesses Kateri Cowley and Tara Sergerie handed over their crowns to the new Stampede royalty. Sahvanne Weasel Traveller assumed the Indian Princess crown from Nikkole Heavey-Shields. Congratulations to the 2010 Calgary Stampede Queen Katie Rochon, a psychology student at the University of Calgary. Katie has always loved horses and has been riding for 12 years; competing in show jumping. The 2010 Stampede Princesses are Kirstie Rougeau from Gleichen and Janelle Phillips from Cochrane. Rougeau is studying psychology at Mount Royal University while Phillips is finishing her practicum as a teacher. The Stampede Royalty act as official ambassadors of the Calgary Stampede and make more than 400 appearances during their reign.
Border Battle Winners Earn Spades & Wades The competition saw 22 teams in the Open division and 14 in the Novice. First place in the Novice and the custom Hyde bits went to Paula Cox and Steven Loffler of Alberta who scored 68 on four head. Canadian Cowboy Country magazine is the media sponsor of the Canadian Ranch Roping Association. For more information, please visit canadianranchroping.ca or click on their link on canadiancowboy.ca
New Rodeo Association Formed The new association is aimed at kids 14 and under in the Barrhead/Mayerthorpe/Fort Assiniboine areas. They’re grouped by age and compete in barrel racing, pole bending, goat tying, breakaway, team and tie down roping. “We thought if we had 50 kids we would be lucky,” says Carrie Resch. “We had kids coming out of the woodwork — some travelling a couple of hours to be a part of the junior rodeos.” With 80-plus members, the association hosted a junior rodeo every Wednesday in July and August, complete with grand entry: a total of eight regular season rodeos and the dramatic sudden-death Finals. “Throughout the summer we had so many entries that we started to worry about running out of daylight,” says Resch. The rodeo is formatted to be “as real as possible” so the kids learn the ropes of what rodeo is all about. “It was unbelievable to see how much each kid improved over the season,” says Resch. “It brought kids together who normally wouldn’t have the opportunity to be a part of rodeo. It was probably one of the most rewarding things we could have done — and we can’t wait until next year!”
The Hitching Rail Hyland, who enjoyed a successful rodeo career, is now an accomplished horse trainer and clinician; he also judged the Mane Event Trainers Challenge and participated in Red Deer. As well, he’s a talented musician and songwriter. Marjie herself is an accomplished fiddle player. The happy couple exchanged rings; hers is a beautiful diamond, while his ended up being custom-made due to his ring size. It was crafted out of a halter ring, cut and welded to fit then filed smooth. “I guess you could say it’s engraved,” quips Hyland while admiring the file marks. The happy couple makes their home near Valleyview, Alta.
Not for the Faint of Heart Bullfighters Scott Byrne and Dave Sandilands blessed their bullet-proof vests as they took hit after hit from the bull trying to free Schiffner. At one point, Sandilands even grabbed Schiffner and supported him as the bull spun, taking the strain off the hopelessly entangled spur as Byrne wrestled with the rope. When Schiffner was finally freed, the audience erupted in a thunderous standing ovation for Byrne and Sandilands. Schiffner wholeheartedly agreed with the crowd. Later, a surprisingly calm Schiffner said he was “OK. I didn’t break anything.” But he didn’t ride in the final performance. He stayed behind the chutes to watch the final go and then congratulated Ty Elliott on his win.
"And the CCMA Awards Go To" The big winner of the night was Johnny Reid, who took home five CCMA Awards. Also of note were newcomers Dean Brody and Tara Oram, who were each presented with their first award. Corb Lund and the Hurtin’ Albertans once again earned Roots Artist of the Year, an award they have owned every year since 2003. For those who like to plan ahead, Edmonton is already gearing up as it once again welcomes country music fans. Alberta’s capital city has been named the host city for the 2010 Country Music Week and the CCMA Awards.
WPCA Names New Announcer With the encouragement of stock contractor and father-in-law John Duffy, Pietsch (pronounced ‘peach’) began announcing rodeos in 1991. Some of his career highlights so far include announcing the Foothills Cowboys Association Finals and the Wild Rose Rodeo Finals, multiple times. Pietsch will be calling the action at Medicine Hat, Bonnyville, Drumheller, Red Deer and the qualification run off starting in 2010.
Legendary Bronc Helps Fund Arena Lee Sinclair of Ivomec Merial Canada (and a retired bronc rider) is funding a custom buckle crafted by silversmith Jim Hyde. The buckle will commemorate the famed bronc, Blue Bill, who was raised by well-known horseman, rancher and poet, the late Bill Gomersall. Stock contractor Jerry Myers bought the bronc in the ’40s; Blue Bill’s career spanned 20-plus years of terrorizing cowboys. He was inducted into the Canadian Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame in 2008. The rodeo committee is selling tickets on the buckle and the draw will take place at the Sunday performance of their rodeo which runs June 25–27, 2010. Funds raised by the arena group will be matched by the exhibition. At the grand opening, officials will cut the ribbon to welcome all to the new Bill Gomersall Arena.
Where in the World is Canadian Cowboy Country? The Incas started building it around AD 1430, but it was abandoned as an official site for the Inca rulers 100 years later at the time of the Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire. Machu Picchu was declared a Peruvian Historical Sanctuary in 1981 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. Since it was not plundered by the Spanish when they conquered the Incas, it’s especially important as a cultural site and is considered a sacred place. Millions of visitors have made the trek to the site, including Kon Stolz and his daughter, Avienda, originally from Tompkins, Sask.
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