The 44th edition of the Airdrie Pro Rodeo went off without a hitch according to President Aaron Braham.
“I am thinking that we had a record year this year,” said Braham. “A lot of it had to do with the weather and the quality of our show we put on year after year.”
Scores like the 85.5 by Jason Havens in the bareback atop the Calgary Stampede’s Shadow Warrior and Chad Denton’s 88.5 point bull ride atop Edgar also from the Calgary Stampede shows the calibre of the competition at this year’s event, said Braham.
“The high scores speak for themselves,” he said.
“We had world class cowboys, CFR champions, NFR champions, we really had the best.”
The three stock contractors that brought animals to compete in this year’s rodeo included the Outlaw Buckers, Calgary Stampede and Northcott Rodeo, all out of Alberta.
None of the stock that competed in this year’s rodeo suffered any injuries. The same cannot be said for the cowboys as Tyler Gilchrist suffered a broken leg, and one cowboy was transferred to hospital after landing on his head.
The event continues to bring people from all over the world, as a group of volunteers came from England to help the rodeo, while spectators from as far as Australia and New York were introduced during the performances.
Braham says the evening cabarets were great, but some changes might be in store for the camping area of the rodeo grounds next year.
“Overall, I think we had an awesome cabaret with not too much out of control, it was a pretty calm year,” said Braham. “There were some families that packed up from the camping area because of too much hooting and hollering. We will be taking steps to improve that next year, because we bill ourselves as a family show.”
Braham says he expects the camping area to be alcohol free in 2012.
Rob Breitzke received his past-president buckle on Canada Day, recognition for his three years of presidency, and 12 years of being involved in the Airdrie Pro Rodeo.
“They are some pretty big shoes to fill,” said Braham. “He has done an awesome job the past three years.”
• Saddlebronc - Justin Berg of Marwayne, Alberta hooked up with Lunatic Party to post a 84 point score on day two of the Airdrie Pro Rodeo to win $3,790 and a championship buckle. Berg knew he had to have a good ride, after both Troy Crowser and Todd Herzog rode to identical 80 point scores on day one of the rodeo. Rounding out the top six were Tyler Corrington, Logan Hodson and Kyle Thomson.
• Bareback - Jason Havens, ranked 17th in the world coming into the Airdrie Pro Rodeo, was all business, riding Shadow Warrior to an outstanding 85.5 score, worth $3,418. The four-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier of Princeville, Oregon, was part of an outstanding day-one performance of the rodeo, which saw four of the top five ride to excellent scores. World ranked No. 34 Ryan Gray took second place with an 84 point ride on Dust Bunny, while Cody Demer tied for third place with an 82 point ride on Princess Warrior. Rounding out the top five were Logan Hodson (82 on Ross River) and Kaycee Field (81.5 on Saturn Rocket).
• Bull riding - Coming off his first-ever National Final qualifications last year, 33-year-old Chad Denton of Berry Creek, California brought his hot streak to Airdrie. Riding Edgar to an 88.5 on day one, his score stood up to win the rodeo and earn $4,162. He edge Tyler Pankewitz (87), Robert Bowers (85.5) and Canadian ranked No. 3 Chad Besplug (85.5) to win the buckle. Rounding out the top five was Allen Helmuth (85).
• Steer Wrestling - Four-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier Wade Sumpter of Fowler, Colorado, came into the rodeo ranked 22nd in the world. He left in much better shape, after diving to a 3.6 second run worth $4,018 to win a buckle. He edged world No. 3 ranked Billy Bugenig (3.9). There was a five-way tie for third place with Ross Eickhoff, Ty Erickson, Baillie Milan, Craig Weisgerber and Jason Miller each clocking 4.0 second runs.
• Tie Down Roping - The king of the sport came to Airdrie, last week, and he didn’t disappoint. Trevor Brazile, winner of three of the past four National Finals championships in tied down roping rode last on day one of the rodeo, and set a standard that could not be eclipsed. Posting a time of 7.1 seconds, Brazile, of Decatur Texas, claimed $3,509 to pad his world No. 9 ranking. He edged world No. 30 ranked Shane Hachey of Sulpher, Louisianna, who clocked a 7.2 second run. A three-way tie for third saw Chad Johnson, Timber Moore and Trent Creager each post 7.4 second runs.
• Team Roping - Same cowboy, same day, same result. Brazile and his heeler Patrick Smith of Lipan Texas snapped off a lightning 3.8 second run to claim $3,146. The reigning world champions came into the rodeo ranked 4th in the 2011 standings. They edged Brett Buss and Matt Fawcett (4.0), Riley and Brady Minor (4.3) Kaden and Rhen Richard (4.3) as well as Brandon Beers and Jim Ross Cooper (4.4).
• Ladies Barrel Racing - Split seconds mean everything in this sport, and this year was no exception. Ranked 15th in the world coming into the Airdrie Pro Rodeo, Lee Ann Rust of Stephenville, Texas got the job done in 14.67 seconds, during day-two action, to win a cool $4,644. She edged the world No. 1 ranked Brittany Pozzi, of Victoria, Texas, by 0.12 seconds to claim the buckle. Rounding out the top five were Sherrylynn Johnson (14.85) Joleen Seitz (14.86) and Robin Montague (14.93).
• Kyler Hooper of Airdrie placed second in the Boys Steer Riding. He posted a 74 point ride, worth $320, on day one of the rodeo. He came into the event ranked sixth in the Canadian standings.
• Results of the Ranch Hand Competition were not available as of press time. For this and other results from the Airdrie Pro Rodeo, go to www.airdrieprorodeo.net
