Spirits were high in Ponoka on New Year’s Eve as professional cowboys put on a spectacular show and helped ring in the new year by competing in the Ultimate Cowboy Challenge.
The challenge, the final show of the Rodeo Masters Ultimate Cowboy and Cowgirl weekend, was held at the Calnash Ag Event Centre and attended by a full house.
Fourteen cowboys competed in the six different rodeo events, each hoping to win the money, jacket and title of Ultimate Cowboy. Each cowboy was forced out of his element since there aren’t many who normally compete in more than a few rodeo events.
According to one of the judges, Billy Richards, the entertainment from watching the competitors participate in different events would be the highlight of the event. “It will be kind of tough. Most of these guys are one event guys. There won’t be too many style points given out, lots of funny points I’d think.”
“Anyone who knows anything about rodeo and these guys is going to get more than their ticket price. The entertainment value is going to be enormous,” he added.
Even with the daunting evening ahead, each cowboy was looking forward to the challenge. Although they knew, by competing in events they usually don’t ride in, the odds were against all of them.
The unknown was part of the thrill. “I’m not too nervous because I’m not sure the wreck I’m going to get into,” said Ty Patten.
Patten, who normally competes in team roping, calf roping and bull riding, decided to work in every event.
“I figured I’d just try it out, it’s new events for everyone. Hopefully I can capitalize in the areas I know and get lucky in the rest.”
Since he already rides in three of the six events, Patten was only half nervous about the challenge. “It’s just the first-time jitters for the other events.”
Bull rider Ken Siemens was also nervous about new events; he decided to try everything except bareback riding. “It scares me; I’m already doing enough stuff I’ve never done before.
For organizer Scott Wyzykoski the night ran smoothly. “Tonight was very satisfying; to have a great crowd and a great performance … there were no hiccups.”
However, he says there are many improvements to make for next year’s challenge, including better timing. A track record is also being developed in the community and Wyzykoski expects to see more people attend next year.
The challenge didn’t run as smoothly for some of the cowboys. During the 1 p.m. team roping performance Steven Turner was bucked off his horse during the first round, which was the highlight of his night. “That was probably what I thought was going to be my safest event and I already got bucked off.”
For bareback rider Jake Vold, and every cowboy not named champion, the night didn’t go as they hoped. Jeremy Harden won the Ultimate Cowboy Challenge.
“I like to win; I like to be a winner. But I’m definitely looking for a good time too. But when it’s my turn I’ll be trying hard,” said Vold.
Despite the loss, and the competitive atmosphere, Vold was grateful it gave him the opportunity to see the other cowboys. “It’s a great group of guys here, everybody’s really friendly. Even if you didn’t know them you would by the end of the night.”
“When you look at our contestants it’s a fun-loving (group) and they all love what they do. I think they truly enjoyed the experience,” added Wyzykoski. “Overall, I thought the quality of competition was substantially higher than last year… You put cowboys together and they try harder.
Harden agreed with Wyzykoski about the competitors. “It (winning) feels great because of the level of the competition of the guys I competed against — lots of talent.”
Like the earlier events of the New Year’s weekend, proceeds from the Ultimate Cowboy Challenge were given to the Ponoka Broncs Rodeo Academy and other athletic programs within the Wolf Creek Public School Division. Twenty per cent of the Cowboy Calcutta was also donated to the academy.