The first annual Counting Coup Rough Stock Rodeo presented by the Painted Hand Casino (PHC) in conjunction with the Yorkton Exhibition Board Association was held at the exhibition grandstand last week. The event brought some 30 Canadian Cowboys Association (CCA) cowboys from western Canada to prove their prowess on some of the wildest rodeo stock in the country, says Anna Keewatin PHC marketing manager.
The rough stock rodeo means the only events in the rodeo are saddle bronc riding, bareback bronc riding and bull riding, Keewatin explains.
The rodeo offered a total prize purse of $10,000. In addition to prize money the top cowboys each received a rodeo belt buckle and an embroidered denim and leather jacket, she continues.
The PHC brought the event to Yorkton expressly for the enjoyment and entertainment of the community, Keewatin adds.
The Painted Hand Casino took its name from the painted hand which was revered both as a symbol of great bravery and honor to the warrior who received the mark of such distinction.
"A decorated warrior would charge at a fully armed enemy warrior in the midst battle and "count coup" by touching the enemy with his bare hand. This act was recognized as the greatest feat of bravery executed by a warrior; to rush the enemy in combat and to assault him with a mere touch, thereby sparing the enemy's life instead of taking it away.
After such an experience, the warrior could put his print on his possessions, including his horse and tipi. All would know who owned the horse and tipi because of the colour and the meaning of the print.
The Painted Hand holds great significance to the First Nations of this land," narrates an elder.
The results of the Painted Hand Casino Counting Coup Rough Stock Rodeo were: Saddle Bronc Riding, Day 1 - 1-2 Tie) Richard Houston on Sheep Camp, 78 points. 1-2 Tie) Mark Elder on All Sum-mer Long, 78 points. 3) Ross Kreutzer on Sweet Grass, 75 poinjts. 4) Mike Gordon on Brother Bear, 72 points.Saddle Bronc Riding, Day 2 - 1) Richard Houston on Raise Your Glass, 72 points. 2-3 Tie) Tomas Willemsen on High Cot-ton, 69 points. 2-3 Tie)Rhett Fitzpatrick on Sheep Camp, 69 points. 4) Mike Gordon on Butch, 63 points. Bareback Riding, Day 1 - 1) Bradley Dyck on Tall Grass, 77 points. 2) Stewart Der-rider on Ross River Nation,75 points. 3) Brady Bertram on Born This Way, 73 points.Bareback Riding, Day 2 - 1) Bradley Dyck on F45, 71 points. 2-3 Tie) Revee McCormack on 23, 68 points. 2-3 Tie) Brady Bertramon 64, 68 points. Bull Riding, Day 1 - 1)Dusty Lehmann on Casper, 82 points. 2) Cody Coverchuk on Hells Bells, 79 points. 3) Ty Ellis on Dr. Bob, 78 points. 4) Derek Glenn on Zip Code, 76 points. 5-6 Tie) Tanner Allemand on Showdown, 74 points. 5-6 Tie) Ben Kinkead on One Arrow, 74 points. Bull Riding, Day 2 - 1) Jordan Laven-ture on Poker Face, 83 points. 2) Landon Lock-hart on Air Bender, 80 points. 3) Cody Floyd on Zip Code, 79 points. 4) Ty Ellis on Showdown, 75 points. 5-6 Tie) Tanner Allemand on Fever Pitch, 74 points. 5-6) Kane Lar-sen on Stump, 74 points. 5-6 Tie) Bobby Stevens on Jersey, 74 points.
