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Rodeo provides wealth of experiences

“The kids have a really good attitude and help each other, — Lynette Galloway
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Kelly Bonnett and Walker Galloway won the first day of team roping with a time of 6.0 at the Battle River High School Rodeo.

One of Alberta’s oldest high school rodeos, the Battle River High School Rodeo, has survived another year of rain, sun and the expected high level of competition.

Each year the rodeo is organized and run by youth club members with minimal intervention from an adult. Parent leader of the club, Lynette Galloway, was once again amazed at how smoothly the event progressed. “It’s gone really well.”

Student president Chad Gulick of Wetaskiwin, who helped man the frontline of the rodeo agreed. “Everybody’s having fun and it’s running really smoothly.”

The Battle River High School Rodeo caters mainly to Alberta competitors but is no stranger to those willing to saddle up and travel across the country to compete.

“It’s a big rodeo, it’s fun,” said Gulick. “(It’s) more about fun than anything. You don’t do this rodeo for the money, it’s about the experience.”

However, the friendly atmosphere among the riders didn’t stop the competition from heating up inside the arena. “I think the calibre of competition is very strong,” said Galloway.

Outside the arena friends aren’t hard to find and there’s enough cheering from the riders to rival the fans. “The kids have a really good attitude and help each other,’ said Galloway.

After the first rodeo performance, a ribbon roping fundraiser was held to help raise funds for year-end prizes within the club.

The event cost $20 to enter and male-female teams first had to rope the calf, dismount and touch the calf and then their partner would take the ribbon off the calf’s tail and race across the finish line.

District 2 raised $600 through the event.

Next year is the Battle River High School Rodeo’s 25th year and starting in October the club will begin preparation for the important milestone.

Average buckle winner results:

Steer Wrestling -Trey Purdie

Tie-Down Roping - Quinton Van Straten

Breakaway Roping - Makayla Boisjoli

Team Roping - Makayla Boisjoli/Shelby Boisjoli

Barrel Racing - Madelyn Schauer

Goat Tying - Madelyn Schauer

Pole Bending - Maria Robinson

Saddle Bronc - Chase Zweifel

Bull Riding - Austin Nash