Rodeo season opens in Hat
For many professional cowboys and cowgirls, it all starts this weekend in Medicine Hat.
The annual Broncs and Honky Tonks Spring Rodeo comes out of the chutes today with a morning slack and the 7 p.m. main draw at the Cypress Centre Fieldhouse, with world and Canadian champions in the mix and no other events to compete with north of the U.S. border.
As the first Canadian Pro Rodeo Association event of the season, it’s effectively the kickoff to a long road to November’s finals. Expect a sizeable contingent from south of the border too, as it’s dual-certified as a Pro Rodeo Cowboys Association stop too.
“It is the start of rodeo season,” said past rodeo chairman Ron Edwards, who’s still very much involved this year. “It’s just the whole atmosphere itself, it’s inside, you’re right on top of it, it’s close. You’re part of the action, and that is huge for people that haven’t been to a rodeo.”
Dirt will get in the stands, you’ll be able to hear the crack of the ropes and appreciate the athleticism and guts it takes to sit atop a bucking bull for eight seconds. With Kesler Rodeo providing the stock as usual, Edwards expects some incredible matchups between nightly performances tonight and Saturday, then a 1:30 p.m. matinee to wind things up Sunday.
“At the start of the season you hope to get them,” said Edwards of rodeo’s finest. “We’ve got a great draw this year, and it’s exciting. Our stock contractor, Kesler Rodeo, is one of the best you can get. When you match up the best of the best cowboys and the best stock, it’s going to be a good rodeo.”
There’s already a lot of buzz surrounding world champion saddle bronc rider Zeke Thurston of Big Valley, who will try to put up a big score Saturday. Among those in Sunday’s draw are team ropers Levi Simpson and Jeremy Buhler, bull rider Jordan Hansen and barrel racer Nancy Csabay, all reigning Canadian champions.
Really though, there are big names sprinkled all throughout the weekend. But even the lesser-known competitors can put up a quick time and take a share of the pot.
“I’m just excited to be able to go to the first rodeo of the year, hope to do good and see where it takes you,” said Barrhead’s Kody Potts, who’s entered in Friday’s team roping with Sundre’s Trey Gallais.
Potts was among 120 or so riders who took part in Thursday’s team roping jackpot event, effectively a warmup for the weekend. It’s that time of year when repetitions are welcome as the injury bug hasn’t yet had time to creep up.
And a good time to take home some early cash.