This year's Lacombe Pro Bull Riding event featured exciting rounds of non-stop action on July 28 at the Lacombe Agricultural grounds.
"I'm just overwhelmed with the support that we have gotten from the community," said Colleen Shippelt, committee president, who along with her daughter Taylor is the key organizer of the event.
"We plan the whole thing, from the animals right down to the napkins - every moving piece!" she added with a laugh.
"When the anthem starts, and I look out at the crowd and see how many people are there, it's overwhelming - it's such a great feeling to see our community come together and support it," she said. "When you see those full stands, you just think 'wow'."
Shippelt said just over 1,400 people attended the event, which also marks a partnership with the Lacombe and District Agricultural Society.
"It's just the perfect spot as well," she said. "It's the good, old western culture."
The evening also wrapped up with the popular cabaret.
"It was a huge success, too. There were so many people there," she said.
"I'm also so thankful the weather held out because you never know."
She's said organizers are very thankful for the sponsor and volunteer support as well.
"I love the excitement and the family feeling of it all. The rodeo community is such family," she said, adding that the solid dedication of the bull riders themselves is inspiring - aches and pains aside.
"Some of those guys had already ridden that day, and then got back on the highway and rode the next day, too" she said.
"We also added the junior bulls this year. It was a really good addition, and I hope to grow it. And that all came about because one of the junior riders came up to me at the Ponoka Stampede and asked about it."
That particular rider was Jesten Jacklin, who also went on to be named the Lacombe Jr. Bull Riding winner as well.
Meanwhile, this year's Lacombe PBR champion is Wade Marshall.
"Despite being bested in Round 1, tossed by Day N Night (Shay Marks) in 3.87 seconds, Marshall made the most of his renewed shot of victory, advancing to the championship round on time," according to a release.
"The New Zealander next took on Smooth Sailor (Shay Marks) in the final round. In what proved to be a perfect pairing, Marshall reached the requisite eight with ease, awarded an event-best 87 points to clinch the victory."
Marshall earned 46 national points for the finish.
In the race for the 2024 PBR Canada Championship and accompanying $100,000 bonus, he rose from No. 28 to No. 22 in Canada.
Toby Adams notched an 86.5-point ride on Lord Fear (Vold Rodeo) for a second-place finish. Collecting 33 national points, he climbed from unranked to No. 34 in Canada.
Third was Dixon Tattrie who rode Hanan Motors Broken Halo (Skori Bucking Bulls) for 85.5 points to net 22 national points. He climbed two positions in the Canadian standings, rising from No. 22 to No. 20.
Reigning PBR Canada National Finals event winner Tyler Craig of Crossfield took fourth place. His 85-point ride on Whiskey Clouds (Skori Bucking Bulls) earned him 18 national points.
Rounding out the Top 5 in fifth was Coy Robbins of Camrose. The 2017 PBR Canada Rookie of the Year’s efforts were highlighted by his Round 1 winning, 83-point ride on Day Thuggin (Shay Marks).
The first Lacombe Pro Bull Riding event took place in 2019 in the Gary Moe Auto Group Sportsplex.
The pandemic forced the cancellation of the event in 2020 and 2021, but it came back in a big way last year on the Ag grounds.
- with files by Kacie Albert
