Wranglers, cowboy hats, boots and great rodeo action took over in St. Paul this past weekend, with horse trailers abound surrounded the Ag Corral for the 19th annual High School Rodeo.
Teenaged cowboys and girls from across Alberta stormed into town to prove compete and advance their skills. St. Paul Ag. Society members were working throughout the weekend to ensure the event was organized, and organizer Brian Pederson was very pleased with another successful high school rodeo.
“The entire weekend went really well, we had some awesome times and rides,” said Pederson.
The rodeo kicked off Friday night with the first ever featured Working Cowhorse competition at an Alberta High School Rodeo event.
Local boys Paul Wanchuk of Boyne Lake, and Austin Young of Elk Point competed this weekend, with Wanchuk riding saddle broncos and Young competing in the team roping event and the tie down roping event.
Young placed seventh overall in the Alberta High School Rodeo Association standings in tie down roping with a time of 11.2 seconds. He ended up in seventh place once again in the team roping event with his partner Luke Skocdopole. They had a time of 9.3 seconds but were penalized five seconds after missing a leg on a heel catch.
Although Wanchuk was bucked off both of his horses Saturday and Sunday, he was awarded with a special honour when the rodeo was complete. He was chosen as the recipient of this year’s Leif Pederson Memorial Buckle.
The buckle is awarded yearly to commemorate the spirit of Leif Pederson - a former St. Paul Ag Society member who helped put on the rodeo. It is awarded to a contestant, parent, Ag Society member, or individual who goes above and beyond throughout the weekend to contribute to the success of the rodeo.
Wanchuk was awarded with the honour because of all of the hard work he put into the weekend, while competing in an event as well.
The Ag Society volunteers were very busy all weekend ensuring the success of the rodeo.
“Once again, the Ag Society volunteers that we have every year for this event were super and went above and beyond which always makes everything run so smoothly. Thank you also to our sponsors, their support is so generous and we appreciate that so much,” said Pederson, in regards to everyone who contributed to the event.
Bareback Riding: Jake Potts, Drayton Valley
Pole Bending: Jaclyn Pickerell, Altario
Saddle Bronc Riding: Tyson Thue, Clyde
Steer Wrestling: Travis Speer, Red Deer
Goat Tying: Madelyn Schauer, Halkirk
Cutting-Mens: Wylee Squire, Clyde
Cutting-Ladies: Mackenzie Loren, Ardrossan
Tie Down Roping: Shane Smith, Wimborne
Breakaway Roping: Taylor Schmidt, Barrhead
Team Roping (Header/Heeler): Lance Gordon, Crossfield/Trey Purdie, Red Deer
Barrel Racing: Bradi Whiteside, Longview
Working Cowhorse Competition: Bailey Hines, Marwayne
Men’s Hi Point Champion: Trey Purdie, Red Deer. 1st in Team Roping and 2nd in steer wrestling
Women’s Hi point champion: Mackenzie Loren, Ardrossan. 1st in cutting, 2nd in working cow horse, and 3rd in barrel racing.
After the event wrapped up, Wanchuk says he was impressed by the level of skill that was displayed throughout the weekend.
“There was lots of good rodeo all weekend. Some of the times we saw were faster than in pro rodeo. Steven Trach brought a great group of horses that keeps us riders wanting to get on.”
Wanchuk also expressed how it felt to receive the Leif Pederson Memorial Buckle.
“It’s an honour to be chosen to receive that buckle, there’s a tonne of others that deserve the buckle as well, so for the Pedersons to choose me it really means a lot. It’s one of those awards that is more important than winning for having the highest score, one I will always were with pride.”
