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| SPORTS - September 22, 2009 |
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Ian Kucerak photo
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| Mayerthorpe's Mark O'Dempsey stays in control during his 74.5-point run Sept. 17 at the Wildrose Rodeo Finals in Barrhead. The four day event drew fans and competitors from around northern Alberta to Barrhead. |
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| Rodeo finals puts on a good show |
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Ian Kucerak
Leader Staff
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After four days of rodeo at the Wildrose Finals, cowboys, cowgirls and organizers are tired, but happy.
According to rodeo director Adolph Bablitz, the show went smoothly for those behind the scenes as well as those out under the lights.
Bablitz said that while the official numbers are not in yet, attendance was down slightly when compared to previous years.
In a tough economy with good weather drawing farmers out to their fields, it was not a bad result.
"The rodeo itself ran really smooth – no hitches," Bablitz said.
Even with an extra event, breakaway roping, the show came in under three hours for each performance, which is the maximum fans generally want to sit in the arena, he said.
For the competitors themselves the performances also went smoothly with no major injuries.
Bablitz didn’t get much of a chance to sit and watch the show, but a highlight came during the team roping event when Steve Horricks and Tyson Utri posted a very competitive time.
"(Horricks) came in, in the team roping, with an extremely good time and there was quite a roar went up from the crowd," Bablitz recounted. "It’s always good when one of the local guys is doing well."
While other local riders like Neil Branden and Ronald Schmidt may have had a few misses in the team roping event, riding in front of a hometown crowd is what they really look forward to.
"It’s more of a thrill that... you get to visiting people that you never get to see very often because we’re always gone," Schmidt said. "You actually have fans and they’re interested in how you’re doing."
Schmidt is proud of his son’s accomplishments, especially Kolton’s win in the breakaway roping event this year.
"It’s a great feeling," Schmidt said, of watching his son compete against his peers all year. "He handled the situation well, used his head, (with) all those years of practice. I think it’s sure nice when it all works out."
The father-son team is planning to enter the team roping circuit together for next year as well.
Another proud father is Neil Branden. While his weekend was not filled with record-breaking times in the team roping event, watching his sons Grady and Quentin compete was a highlight.
Branden’s son Grady came in second in breakaway roping, while Quentin got to experience his first finals in the breakaway.
The youngest Branden in the finals has big plans for the future, his father said.
"I know he definitely plans on going a long way with his rodeo career," Branden said of his son. "The things you learn from the pressure of your first finals I think will help you wherever you go."
Next year Branden and his teammate Tyler Batchelor are planning to compete together. They suffered some penalties during the finals, but they are not dwelling on past mistakes. Rather, they are looking to what they can achieve next season.
"He didn’t miss on purpose, because I know when I miss, I don’t miss on purpose either," Branden said. "Sometimes you miss and most times you catch it."
Kris Kremp was another local proud of a family member doing well in the ring. His younger brother Vance earned the Rookie of the Year award, participating in the novice horse riding event. They may compete in different sports, but Kremp said it was good to see his brother succeed in rodeo.
"He’s got a heart the size of a lion. That big fella, he’s worked really hard to improve his form," Kremp said of his brother. "I was pretty proud of him that he won the Rookie of the Year."
Kremp was nursing a damaged knee on the weekend, but he didn’t let it slow him down.
Riding in front of a hometown crowd was a good experience, as well as getting the chance to ride some great bucking horses. Kremp liked one in particular named Yellowhair.
"She’s a really great bronc," Kremp said of the mare. "That horse really gets out there and gives it her all every time. She’s pretty strong and really jumps and kicks hard."
Another highlight for the rider was watching his friend Chad Thorson win. Thorson and Kremp have ridden together in novice horse riding and now in saddle bronc for the past four years. Kremp has watched his friend put his all into doing well in the ring for years now.
"Chad’s worked really hard to get better and improve his form and skill," he said. "It was really great to see him come out and just kind of be the underdog and win the whole thing."
Whether the cowboys and cowgirls barrel raced, steer wrestled, roped or rode a bucking horse, a common theme for many is the love of a sport shared by family and friends. At the 2009 Wildrose Finals, in front of a Barrhead crowd, they displayed their commitment to rodeo inside and outside of the ring.
"It’s a pretty tight-knit group of people and we help each other out," Kremp said. "It’s really great feeling going out there trying to beat the other guys. But at the same time, they’re hoping that you do as good as you can, too." |
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