The 21st Wood Mountain Rodeo School was held May 18th-20th at the Wood Mountain Sports and Stampede Grounds. This is truly a multinational school with participants, volunteers, instructors and supporters at the 3 day event arriving from BC, Alberta, Saskat-chewan, Montana, and Australia. Participants included first time riders and some more seasoned veterans which were there to hone their skills.
Dustin Flundra from Pincher Creek, AB a 2 x time Canadian Saddle Bronc Champion and 2 x NFR qualifier and Davey Shields from DeWinton, AB a 3 x Canadian Bareback Champion and 4 x NFR qualifier led the saddle bronc and bareback bronc riding instruction respectively. Gary Rempel and Travis Erickson headed up a team of pick-up men that secured the safety of the riders and horses during the event. Many volunteers and supporters of the school; including Jonathan Kmita, Lipsett Cartage Ltd., and OLS ensured a very successful and smooth running weekend.
Excellent bucking horses were provided by Rafter Anchor Rodeo, Prime Time Rodeo, and Midnight Rodeo Company. The event kicked off with a ground school on Friday; which included review of equipment, practice on a bucking machine, work with the pickup men and instruction regarding proper rodeo safety prior to trying the real thing. Meals were prepared and served by Camp Woodboia volunteers. Video replay was reviewed and critiqued each evening at Camp Woodboia which was also where the participants stayed. Hutch Ambulance from Assiniboia provided first aid assistance when necessary and attended all weekend.
A cabaret featuring music by the Down Home Boys and Clayton Linthicum was held Saturday night at the Wood Mountain Hall. After two full days a ride off for buckles and prizes was held Sunday morning. Luke Chaplain from Australia won the bareback buckle, donated by J. Yorga Farms and Lockie Marshall from Australia took home the saddle bronc buckle donated by Assiniboia Vet Clinic.
A number of awards donated by Jim Nevada and Dana Kuzik of Stetson were presented to: hard luck, worst wreck, most improved, and most horses got on.
All participants in the school were generously awarded CCA (Canadian Cowboys Association) permit memberships and the winners received senior memberships courtesy of the CCA.
Submitted by Lynn Fitzgerald
