In the Corral
Jun-Jul 2004
Big Night for Friends of Pro Rodeo
$65,000 raised for a great cause!
 More that 350 people attended the second annual Friends of Pro Rodeo live and silent auction on April 16, 2004 at Northlands Park in Edmonton, AB. The event was an overwhelming success and saw pro cowboys turn out to mingle with corporate rodeo supporters. Compared to the inaugural event last April, there were significantly more new supporters of Friends of Pro Rodeo in attendance, more auction items and more funds raised.
Unlike other professional sports, pro cowboys have to pay to enter their event with no guarantee of taking any pay home. Friends of Pro Rodeo was formed in 2003 by a diverse group of business people in Alberta to help promote the sport of Pro Rodeo and put more money directly in pro cowboys’ pockets. You can get involved in FOPR and show your support to the cowboys and cowgirls who provide us with exciting entertainment each and every rodeo. For more information on becoming a member of Friends of Pro Rodeo contact Susan O’Connor at (780) 437-3055.
Canada’s Premiere Cowboy Festival just keeps growing!
 The eighth annual Kamloops Cowboy Festival held March 12 through 14, 2004 set new attendance records yet again. Performers and fans arrived from across Canada and the United States to the Okanagan town, pushing weekend pass sales up an astounding 39 per cent from the previous year. And the fans were not disappointed. They were treated to outstanding performances from young and old. Brett Kissel, a 13-year-old crooner from a northern Alberta ranch stole the show with songs from his recently-released country album. And B.C. Cowboy Hall of Fame member Shirley Field continued her tradition of earning a standing ovation from an appreciative audience. Not only did the festival boast a great performing line-up, but western art enthusiasts were treated to another fine display of artwork from 36 artists and artisans. Kamloops, in the Shuswap language means The Confluence — a place where the rivers, trails and the people meet. No wonder this annual festival is destined for success!
Plans underway for River City Round-up 2004!
Edmonton to host major western festival in conjunction with CFR and Farm Fair International
 Bob Steadward, steering committee member for Friends of Pro Rodeo, took to the podium on Wednesday, May 5 at Edmonton’s Molson House. He announced that Alberta’s capital could look forward to hosting the first-ever River City Round-up, a no-holds-barred western event set to celebrate CFR and Farm Fair International and a tribute to the region’s western heritage. The region is poised for a special event such as this with the 100th anniversary celebration for Edmonton and the 125th anniversary of Edmonton Northlands in 2004. The festival is being heralded as the Mardi Gras of the north, and knowing Bob Steadward and his ability to motivate citizens to get things done in fine style, it will be an event to be remembered! The festival will be a joint initiative, involving Friends of Pro Rodeo, The City of Edmonton, Edmonton Northlands, the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association as well as businesses and residents alike in the Alberta capital region. Get on board and get ready to kick it up! Call (780) 437-3055 to get involved.
High Stakes Barrel Race Makes Canadian History
 More than 80 barrel racers went home with great prizes and more than $48,000 in cold hard cash in the first ever High Stakes Barrel Races held in Brooks, AB on April 18. Organizer Diane Baker of Wild Horse Mountain Outfitters says they are looking forward to the next series. A conversation overheard between two of the winners was, “When was the last time you won that kind of money?” Big snort. “Let me rephrase that…when have you ever won that kind of money?”
The weekend winners were:
Open: Nancy Csabay
Futurity: Rayel Robinson
Derby: Brady Howes
Novice: Stacey Hannah
Seniors: Barb Smoole
Youth: Lindsay Smith
The next High Stakes event scheduled for June 21 at the Daines Rodeo Ranch in Innisfail, AB will have an estimated payout of over $20,000. For more information on the upcoming High Stakes Barrel Racing series, contact Diane Baker at (403) 949-2290 or by email: info@wildhorsecamp.com.
Stony Plain Cowboy Gathering turns 12
 2004 marks the 12th anniversary of the Stony Plain Cowboy Gathering, and they’re welcoming back all the great artists who have made this gathering a legendary historical tribute to cowboy poetry and music. As always, Stony Plain will host the finest artists from across Canada and the U.S.A. to edify, educate, and elucidate the traditional cowboy life and humour in music and prose…mostly rhymin’. August 20th to 22nd are the dates to mark on your calendar. Visit www.stonyplaincowboypoetry.com to find out more, email: clindsay@superiway.net or call (780) 963-5998.
Cowgirl Cattle Company Members Whoop It Up!
Annual dinner and AGM a huge success
Friday, May 7 saw the CCCM dinner and AGM at the Coast Plaza Hotel in Calgary and Canadian Cowboy Country magazine was there. This annual event is as exciting as they come where cowgirls of all ages gather to share some laughs, support each other through tough times, but most importantly, support worthwhile causes with funds raised from the evening. These women really know how to throw a party and there was never a dull moment. With a variety of ingenious ideas to raise revenue, they manage to collect nearly $10,000 per year for charity. The fundraising dollars come from membership fees, a live and silent auction at the dinner and gift donations from various retail outlets in the Calgary area. The CCC membership vote on which charities will receive the funds. Recipients chosen for 2004 include STARS Air Ambulance, Alberta Children’s Hospital and Breast Cancer Research.
This year, Canadian Cowboy Country magazine was pleased to be part of the giving, offering subscriptions to each CCC member at the regular one year rate, and in turn, Canadian Cowboy Country will offer $10 back to the Cowgirl Cattle Company Scholarship fund. The Cowgirl Scholarship fund is a newly-established component of the organization and first time recipient is 19-year-old Kate Copithorne, daughter of Judy and Roy Copithorne of Cochrane, AB. To become a member of the Cowgirl Cattle Company visit their website at www.cowgirlcattlecompany.com or call Judy MacKenzie-West (403) 932-5633.
First Ever Canadian Youth Rodeo Workshop and Competition
Bashaw, AB — June 25, 26 and 27, 2004
 Dave and Audra Shields Sr. are no strangers to rodeo. Dave Sr. was a pro bareback rider and CPRA Cowboy of the Year. Dave’s son, Davey Shields Jr., has been following in his dad’s career footsteps for years.
Dave and Audra have since undertaken a different career path, opening shop a year ago in Bashaw, AB, called Ridin’ High Western Goods. In their spare time, they have organized the first ever Canadian Youth Rodeo Workshop and Competition. The upcoming weekend at the end of June has been designed to help any young rodeo enthusiast take the right turn if they have thoughts of goin’ down the road.
The event is 100 per cent non-profit and is the first program in youth rodeo within Canada. The weekend itinerary will cover all crucial aspects of rodeo such as educational opportunities, sports medicine, health and exercise, self-improvement and motivation in addition to the individual event workshops.
The Shields have lots of big name help for the weekend, including rodeo announcer Pete Montana and CPRA clown Dennis Halstead who have prepared a highly motivating and interesting presentation for workshop attendees. The weekend is an event not to be missed for those with youngsters already involved or thinking of getting involved in rodeo. Registration deadline is June 11. For more information, visit www.ridinhi.ca and click on Youth Rodeo or call (780) 372-4499.
|
