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High school rodeo celebrates 25 years of work

Members of the Battle River High School Rodeo Association (BRHRA) can give themselves a pat on the back
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The Battle River High School Rodeo is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year and helped develop many young cowboys into professional rodeo athletes.

Members of the Battle River High School Rodeo Association (BRHRA) can give themselves a pat on the back when they celebrate their 25th anniversary.

Countless high school rodeo athletes have kept a strong tradition of high school rodeo in Ponoka, which had its humble beginning from Gail Bresee and Larry Schaber who wanted to see kids stay in the area for local high school rodeos.

“When it first started, we noticed a real need,” reminisced Bresee.

Not having their own rodeos in central Alberta, many kids would travel to the United States for an opportunity to compete.

She said once they decided to move forward with the BRHRA and hosting their first rodeo, two groups were instrumental in getting things up and running. The Ponoka Stampede and Exhibition Association and the Ponoka Agricultural Society donated a sum of money for that first, memorable rodeo, explained Bresee.

Since then the Stampede Association has allowed the group to meet at the Stampede offices and host the rodeo in the Stampede Grounds. Not once has the BRHRA had to pay to use the grounds either, explained Bresee. She is grateful for their ongoing support and feels both groups knew that this was an investment in Ponoka’s young rodeo athletes.

One reason for their continued operation has been the kids taking ownership of the program. Bresee says they operate the BRHRA in a similar format to the 4-H clubs. An adult leader helps guide the group through meetings and organizing rodeos but it is the young athletes who have taken responsibility and put together fundraising.

“As long as they’re helping financially, they feel really good about it,” said Bresee.

She feels hosting the rodeo also gives them a better understanding of what it takes to get the stock and contractors to these events. Like most athletic programs, the rodeo athletes must also be a student in good standing. “(In) Alberta high school rodeo, you have to be in school and you have to have grades or you can’t compete.”

Keeping their programs going was possible through working at the Bingo Hall for many years, which helped start their scholarship program. The association works to ensure its members have a chance to head to nationals in the United States and offers financial assistance to those that make it.

Bresee said there are countless individuals who have helped ensure the BRHRA continues in a strong tradition. Many of the young athletes who started out with the group have moved on to become professional rodeo athletes.

This year’s BRHSA weekend is set for Sept. 13 and 14.