The 79th Moose Mountain Professional Rodeo at Kennedy is now history, and it was one for the history books. There was something for everyone at this year's show, no matter what the age or background or interests of the visitors, they were certain to come away with lasting memories of being thrilled by the activities in and out of the arena.
Events started on the morning of Saturday, July 23, with the parade through Kennedy's streets. As the procession wound its way towards the grounds, the heavens opened and it rained on the parade. For a little while it looked as if the weekend might be a wash out, but as the morning progressed the clouds gave way to blue sky, and rain was never seen again. Both Saturday and Sunday shows were blessed with wonderful weather, and those without sunscreen or cowboy hats might have regretted the omission.
Entering the grounds, parking seemed to be plentiful at first, but as each morning wore on, there was an overflow of vehicles out on the streets, and tight parking within the grounds meant some vehicles were blocked in. Central to the area was the main arena, but before taking to the stands, there was plenty to see. A children's play area was extremely welcome for the youngest visitors. Inflatable slides and bouncers competed with the rollercoaster to see which attraction would hold young attentions the longest. As screams were heard from kids on the coaster, equally loud howls of joy came from children leaping into the air on the slide. Moms watched carefully as boys and girls bounced their way down the air-filled slope. In no time the young people were running round for another go.
Beside the slides sat a big red and silver trailer. When the rear door was opened it revealed a fully-provisioned mobile western store, with a wonderful selection of designer jeans and cowboy hats for sale. The sunnier it got, the busier the vendor became, cowboy hats are a popular option for providing instant relief from the merciless rays. Adrienne Hanson is the owner of the business, and she explained "Valhalla Horse Enterprises" is operated entirely from the trailer, and they visit numerous shows through the season.
Next to the trailer was a large tent with a number of other businesses displaying and selling their wares. Karen Schmalenberg, from Regina, showed the handmade hats, leather bracelets and other items she creates. Monica Osborn, from Weyburn, talked about the healthy coffee she sells, and Joe Cornforth, from Wawota, displayed Western boots, western-themed clocks and a variety of leather goods. Other vendors were selling jewellery and scented candles.
Popular with the adults was the new beer garden. It was permanently busy as people sought something cool in the midst of the increasing heat of the day. The new building also provided shelter in addition to the liquid refreshment. A little further away, a mini-donut stand was doing a roaring trade as people enjoyed the delicious treats and washed them down with either coffee or cold drinks from the same vendor. Close by was another popular attraction, a caravan from which hot dogs and hamburgers were being sold to hungry visitors. At times this was manned by high school students from Kipling, raising money for a trip to Europe next year, in connection with their studies.
Moving beyond the smell of burgers, the visitor came to a smaller arena where the Demolition Derby was held on both days. On Saturday this arena was wet and muddy from the rain, and collisions were slow between the old cars. On Sunday the ground was drier, and as engines roared like lions in the coliseum, the speeds were greater and the crashes more spectacular.
On each day there was a children's rodeo. Youngsters were delighted by the attention of a dedicated group of adults under the leadership of Shannon Houff, owner of Wawota's "Front Porch interiors." Games included running round barrels with stick horses, milking the "wild cow" and their very own wagon race.
But for all the appeal of the various attractions, it was for the professional rodeo that the people came from far and near. There were visitors from every part of Canada, including a 4-H group from Quebec. On Saturday, the rodeo began at 5 p.m. and on Sunday, it blazed into action at 2 p.m. On each day the format was the same, and the entertainment never let up, except for a brief intermission to allow performers and spectators time to get some refreshment.
The announcer for both days was the amazingly professional Joe Braniff, seven times Canadian Professional Rodeo Association Announcer of the Year. Listening to him speaking to the crowd, it was obvious he's a master of his art. His smooth delivery, mostly without notes, displayed a wealth of knowledge not only about the world of rodeo, but also concerning the participants. It's a close-knit community, a family almost, and Braniff knows them all and quickly tells their stories if needed.
On each day Braniff welcomed the crowds and introduced the various judges, support riders and other essential personnel. Then, introductions done, two riders appeared with flags, and then the Canadian flag was ridden into the arena by Selina Cummins. With the audience standing Jesse Mullie, Wyatt Mullie and Liam Easton (also known as "Chrome") sang the national anthem from the announcer's booth.
After a brief explanation about the basics of the marking system, and how this rodeo fitted in with the entire national circuit, Braniff slipped right into his commentary of the first event, the Bareback competition. "This is the most demanding event in rodeo" Braniff told the audience, "The wear and tear on the body is enormous." And one after another, brave young men came flying out of the gates on the backs of wildly bucking horses, each trying to stay on for the required time. Some were disappointed after they went flying off the animals; others were not, racking up scores that placed them in the money.
Some of the riders were fresh from the Calgary Stampede, champions for several years running, and they came from all over Canada, the USA and even Australia. "Auzzie, Auzzie, Auzzie" shouted Braniff at the Saturday show, as Jake Marshall came flying out of the gate on Blue Byou, rising to the top of the leader board. "He broke his Jaw in April" Braniff explained, "he needed 20 stitches too."
After the Bareback and Saddlebronc competitions, seasoned performer Duane Reichert, slow-marched "Little Richie" into the arena, as the music "Battle Hymn of The Republic" played over the loudspeakers. Braniff's commentary took on a softer, mellower tone, as he explained how Reichert had been one of his own heroes of the arena back in his younger days. The crowd was mesmerised by the display of total harmony between horse and owner. The animal danced, balanced on a pedestal, and even sat in its own chair for a rest, finally leaving the arena with a bow.
Then it was time for the tie down roping. Riders made themselves ready behind an elasticized rope with an orange marker on it. When they charged forward, the rope also released the calf, and it also came flying out of the gate. If the rider came after it too soon, he got a "speeding ticket" and lost marks, otherwise he had to rope it, wrestle it to the ground, tie it up, and then get back on his horse. If the calf got loose too early, the rider was out of the game, if it stayed tied, the time from initial charge to tie-up was counted. At many times below 10 seconds, it was an impressive event of skill and speed, and Braniff pointed out to the audience how the horses even helped by keeping the rope to the calf tight as the rider made his way back to his saddle.
More bronco riding followed, this time with saddles. Once again the competitors made themselves ready for their tortuous rides. Attending cowboys made sure the ropes were tight and the rider's grip was correct, then the gate would open and a snarling, snorting animal would propel the rider to victory, or the to the ground. Sometimes the rider would make it around the arena, being recovered by the "Dodge boys," sometimes they'd walk out slowly, dusting off their bruises with only the appreciation of the audience to take away with them. For seasoned visitors to rodeo it was everything they loved about this unique activity, for newcomers it caused a shake of the head, wondering if the riders were insane.
The intermissions were greatly appreciated by everyone, riders and visitors alike. The beer garden got busier, the lines for donuts lengthened, as did the lines at the portable "facilities." Parents tried to keep track of their kids, some dressed as mini cowboys, and photographers eagerly scanned faces and places for the best shots of the day. The sun continued to beat down, and people revelled in the very best western hospitality and friendship that Saskatchewan is famous for. In the vendor's tent the money was changing hands quickly, and the coffee girl was making ice-caps like they were going out of fashion.
Out in the arena, the children from the kid's rodeo were being presented to the audience, and then it was time to award the 2011 Moose Mountain Professional Rodeo Princess with her sash. The two runners-up were Selina Cummins and Lexie Hollingshead, and young Julia Houff took the title with a smile.
When the show resumed, the main events were the ladies barrel racing and the bull riding. Braniff waxed eloquent about a Dodge truck (provided by sponsors) as barrels were set up across the arena. Then it was time for the ladies to show what they could do in negotiating the "Texas Clover Leaf Pattern." This was an event all about speed, and the horses were fast, blisteringly fast. They were sleek and bred for the purpose, and the young women on top of the animals were equally as sleek and dressed in gorgeous colours that were bright and beautiful.
Out of the gate they'd come, crossing a laser-barrier that started the timer, then on to the first turn round a barrel. Across the arena to the second, they'd barely slow down as they made a complete reversal in direction, the horses' legs digging deep into the ground, leaning into the turn like a motorcycle and sending the dirt flying. It was a brilliantly-exciting event to watch, a tester for the skills of the riders, and even for the ability of photographers trying to keep up with the action. Once again, some of the riders were disappointed, some of the very best times were destroyed by the simple fall of a barrel, and in one case a rider was sent to the ground as her mount lost its step on the second turn.
And then it was time for the bull riding. If newcomers to rodeo thought the sanity of riders was questionable when on horseback, their conclusions were doubly confirmed when they watched men thundering out the gate on massive bulls with attitude. Many of the top riders were bucked into the air by the snorting creatures, the animals really didn't care if the rider was a champion from the Calgary Stampede, a couple of bucks and off they went, landing in the sand with a crash.
There were sounds of appreciation from the audience, and a few times when breath was sucked in, as a rider nearly got kicked by the brute he'd just been thrown from. The bull riding continued, and a massive animal called "Zen Master" was introduced to the audience as "The rankest animal at the Stampede." On the back of the mean bovine was the reigning champion with over $85,000 in winnings this year, but the Californian bull soon lived up to its name and royally mastered him, sending the champion to the ground in total defeat.
On Saturday, things wound down at 8:30 p.m. and on Sunday, the rodeo was over by 5 p.m. The crowds left their seats and gradually dispersed with memories of their fun in the sun. Some folks went in search of refreshment, and on Sunday there was still the second round of the Demolition Derby to see. But as early evening meandered towards the end of the day, the arena and grounds fell silent, with only the Saskatchewan breeze blowing through the empty stands. The 79th Kennedy Rodeo was over. When the scores were finally tallied, the winners were as follows.
Bareback - Jake Marshall, riding Blue Byou.
Saddlebronc - Sam Kelts, riding Back Page.
Bull Riding - Beau Brooks, riding Smokin Bill.
Steer Wrestling - Clayton Moore.
Tie-Down Roping - Steve Lloyd.
Ladies Barrel Racing - Gaylene Bluff
Novice Saddlebronc - Coleman Watt
Novice Bareback - Ky Marshall
Team Roping - Clay Ullery and Matt Robertson.
Boys Steer Riding - Logan Beaver
