“All year we’ve been competing every weekend and we ride every day.”
— Chrissy Kielstra
The Yorkton New Holland Rodeo took place on Nov. 4-5. The rodeo was part of the Grain Millers Harvest Showdown.
The rodeo provided hours of entertainment on both nights at the Farrell Agencies Arena. What’s usually a sleek white icy surface was filled with dirt and animals as contestants took part in a variety of events.
These events included bareback, saddle bronc, tie down roping, steer wrestling, junior steer riding, ladies barrel racing, teamp roping and bull riding.
Even the intermission shows were full of action. The shows consisted of miniature horse chuckracing and children’s sheep riding. The sheep riding was a way for the very young kids to get a taste of the rodeo excitement without any danger that would come with bulls and horses.
Competitors came in all ages and from all over the Prairie Provinces. Chrissy Kielstra came from Burdett, AB. to compete in the ladies barre racing event.
Barrel racing is a horse and rider sport in which they must race around three barrels, which create a clover-shaped pattern in an arena. It combines the horse’s strength and athleticism, as well as the rider’s skill.
Kielstra said it takes a long of preparation to perform well at an event like this.
“All year we’ve been competing every weekend and we ride every day,” she said. And in the days leading up to an event, she said there are special diets that are followed to ensure both rider and horse are prepared.
“It sure is fun,” Kielstra said with a smile as she cooled her horse down after their ride on Saturday night.
The rodeo drew big crowds to the arena for both nights of action. Spectators of all ages enjoyed the high-speed action, the rodeo clowns and the athleticism that was showcased over the weekend.
