PONOKA, Alta.— It's been a busy few years for Rykelle Holinaty since she was named the Estevan Rodeo Queen in 2022.
She left the city after she graduated from the Estevan Comprehensive School in 2021 to attend Lakeland College in Vermilion, Alta. Since then, she has been in and out of Estevan a few times, but has been residing in Alberta for a couple of years. She currently resides near Carstairs, Alta., and works as a veterinary technician.
Holinaty has been part of the grand entry at a number of Alberta rodeos, including Airdrie, Crossfield and Water Valley, and she will be part of the upcoming one in Cochrane. The latest opportunity was at the Ponoko Stampede in Alberta from June 25 to July 1. It's one of the largest rodeos in the country.
"They have quite the amazing operation out here," Holinaty said in an interview with SaskToday. "It is an amazing opportunity to be part of this team, because not only do they have amazing coaches who are part of the drill team, they provide us food the entire time, they provide jeans to ride in. They give us jackets. We also get compensated."
As part of the grand entry, Holinaty and the other riders parade in various flags at the start and during the intermission of the rodeo.
Holinaty said she gained the opportunity after she saw an advertisement that the organizers of Ponoka's rodeo were looking for grand entry riders, and Holinaty thought she would fit in with her horse Braveheart - a Morgan quarter-horse cross..
"I filled out an application," said Holinaty. "Initially, I had a friend that was going to go with me, but she wasn't able to make it, so I went by myself, tried out and made the team. I just really pushed myself to get out there and experience something I haven't before, and it's the best decision I've made so far riding-wise."
Holinaty said she has been riding for as long as she can remember, and she started competing when she was 16. Her first grand entry came four years ago.
"I have a lot of thanks to the … horse community back home for truly getting me into the competitive side of things, and I honestly wouldn't be here without a few people, such as Valerie Paulson, Rhonda Gillespie, Sharon Carlson and all of those amazing girls back home. I have a lot to give thanks to."
Holinaty said she enjoys the connection she has with her horse and works every day to improve. She rides Braveheart competitively in barrel racing, pole bending, cow-horse competitions and other events. She acquired Braveheart five years ago when he was three and she said they have been through a lot together.
"He's my everything horse," she said. "I only have one and I take him to the mountains, I've pushed cows on him, I've done barrel jackpots on him, and now I'm doing grand entries. We're quite the duo; he's a big part of my life."
One day, Holinaty would love to be part of the grand entry at the Calgary Stampede and other big rodeo events. It allows her to get out there, meet new people and experience new things. But in the meantime, she said she's proud to have been part of the Ponoka Stampede and looks forward to other chances.
