WEEKES — Two sisters from Weekes, population 50, are making their mark in the rodeo world after placing in their first professional barrel racing events.
Marty and Jorja Salmond, who grew up raising and training horses on their family ranch, hit the pro rodeo trail this summer and finished seventh and 10th in their debut.
For 18-year-old Marty, horses have been a part of her life for as long as she can remember. She told SaskToday she was riding on her mom’s horse at just three months old and began her competitive journey on a pony named Pepper, a gift from her grandfather.
Today, Marty competes exclusively on home-raised horses descended from the family stud, Touch of Virtue.
“I’ve been able to break and train every horse I’ve run, and that’s something really special,” she said. “Seeing them grow and trust you has shaped me into the horsewoman I am today.”
Marty’s experience includes a standout performance at the 2023 Junior World Finals in Las Vegas, where she was one of only two Canadian riders. She now plans to build on her early pro rodeo success, aiming for more events on the professional tour in 2026.
Her younger sister Jorja, 15, has followed a similar path. She started riding as soon as she could walk and has already captured youth titles, including winning the youth division at the Saskatchewan Barrel Racing Association finals with her horse Twix. She was also reserve champion in the open division before stepping into professional competition this year.
The Salmond sisters credit much of their passion and horsemanship to their parents, Wade and Kim Salmond. Wade is a professional chuckwagon racer on the World Professional Chuckwagon Association circuit, and both parents have been deeply involved in training the family’s horses.
The sisters continue to balance rodeo with local jackpots and gymkhana events, with Jorja also competing in wild pony races whenever she can. This season will wrap up Thanksgiving weekend at the Canadian Barrel Horse Incentive in Ponoka.
Looking ahead, Marty will be eligible to compete at the Calgary Stampede qualifier next June, with hopes of earning a coveted spot at one of rodeo’s biggest stages. Jorja, meanwhile, will need to wait until she turns 18 before she can take that step.
The Salmonds’ success is even more meaningful given that every horse they compete on is home raised and trained by the family.
“It’s been a lot of hard work, but we’re proud of what we’ve built,” Marty said.
