It all starts with a nod. The chute opens and the roughstock leaps out, bucking and kicking up dust as the cowboy attempts to hold on for eight seconds. The crowd roars with a successful ride and gasps as others are thrown from their mount.
The Rough n' Ready Roughstock event held in Stoughton by the New Hope Horse Club for the third year was very successful.
"We were really pleased with how everything went," DeeAnna Lyke, one of the organizers, explained. "There was a really good turnout for the cabaret after and a good turnout for the rodeo. We already know we need to get more bleachers for next year because we were full this year, our attendance had nearly doubled since last year."
Having been held on Saturday, Aug. 31 at 6 p.m. a large crowd attended to watch saddle bronc, bareback, bull riding, wild horse races, and mutton busting.
Before the action started, youth enjoyed kid's activities of face painting, bouncy castles, pony rides, and balloon tying. Many young cowboys and cowgirls were out to enjoy these activities before cheering on their favourites in the arena.
Starting with a beautiful rendition of "O Canada" by Jackie Walbaum the rodeo began with saddle bronc action.
Competitors took part from across Saskatchewan, Alberta, and Manitoba. In the end Wyatt Thurston of Big Valley, AB. Lasting for the full eight seconds he took away a score of 78. The competition was tight, however, with Kirk Thompson of Beausejour, MB, scoring 77 points.
Bareback action followed with Brady Bertram of Piapot, SK, winning with a score of 78.
New to the Rough n' Ready Roughstock was Wild Horse Races. A team had to catch an unbroken horse, saddle it, and ride it across the finish line. The team of Brett Mickler, Guy Russel, and Paul Buckingham took the win.
Before the main event of bull riding took place youth between the ages of four and seven took part in mutton busting. The "Wild Wool Warriors," as they were described by rodeo announcer Ward Cutler, rode sheep to a cheering crowd.
Finally the bull riders stepped up to the plate with thirteen participants. JC Curley of North Battleford took a difficult ride; being slammed against a gate he had to be taken by ambulance to the hospital for his shoulder.
A short break was taken as the event organizers were forced to wait for another ambulance to arrive.
As action resumed the win would go to Billy West of Cadogan, AB.
The stock was tough being provided by Jim Lawrence of Kennedy with Prime Time Rodeo.
Local riders included James Davis of Kennedy by way of Australia and Jesse Lawrence of Kennedy. Both put up tough fights in their respective fields, Davis in the saddle bronc and Lawrence in bull riding.
The evening followed with a cabaret at 9 p.m. in the curling rink free to those who attended the rodeo. It featured the band, Hatfield McCoy, and was enjoyed by many.
Overall the event was a great success made possible by the New Hope Horse Club and their many volunteers for the day as well as their sponsors.
"Thanks to our sponsors, everyone who helped and those who came out to and watched," Lyke said. "It was a good fundraiser this year for us and it was really nice to work with others like the Stoughton Daycare who were out selling glow sticks."
Looking towards the future, Lyke explained that a successful event such as this will be held again next year during the Labour Day weekend. Plans are already under way to add different events to the evening, including a possibility of Wild Pony races for the kids, though Lyke states that they will be much tamer than the wild horses the adult teams took on.
"Next year will be bigger and better yet," she stated.
