The ladies from the Foothills were the breadwinners in High River.
Three barrel racers from the Foothills were able to cash cheques at the Guy Weadick Days Wild West Rodeo in High River, while the rest of the athletes from these parts only received the kind applause of fans.
Longview’s Kendra Edey led the way by finishing second with a run of 17.857 seconds on her horse Cat on Friday.
She not only thanked her horse, but also tipped her Stetson to Ma Nature.
“I was really grateful that High River was dry for me — I finally beat the rain which was nice,” Edey said. “This was Cat’s first run back after a couple of weeks off. I just wanted to run a comfortable run and it paid off.”
Edey’s time was a nanosecond behind Sierra Booth of Claresholm at 17.825, who also ran on Friday night.
Edey said the time she posted would have likely stood up to earn a cheque even if it hadn’t rained on Saturday to slow the track for the barrel racers following her.
“We got second out of Cloverdale in one of our go’s, but to do well in High River was exciting,” Edey said.
The Guy Weadick rodeo was the top finish for Edey who was 23rd in the Canadian Professional Rodeo standings going into High River with $1,951. She should move up the standings after picking up $1,700.
Millarville’s Toni Dixon found being close to home to her liking. She was able to make a quick trip to the High River Ag Grounds on Sunday to check out the infield after the previous day’s rain.
It turned out to be to her and Muffin’s liking as they clocked in at 18.625s for seventh-place and a $570 cheque on a sunny Sunday afternoon.
“I went over and rode her and I thought it would be fine — I wanted to run and I did,” she said. “The rodeo committee did a great job of getting things ready.”
Muffin turned well, with a slight slip on the first barrel before turning on the jets.
There were just two barrel racers in Sunday’s performance as many turned out due to concerns of a wet track and other rodeos in Sundre and the final go round in Wainwright.
Ironically, both barrel racers who ran on Sunday, Dixon and Sherrylynn Johnson, won money in High River.
Okotoks’ Deb Renger, who ran in Saturday’s slack, finished ninth.
Jordan Hansen, a bull rider who grew up in Okotoks, turned out on Sunday in High River. However, he had a good excuse. He qualified for Sunday’s short-go in Wainwright. Although he was bucked off he picked up approximately $1,500 in Wainwright.
Both Edey and Dixon gave thumbs up to C5 Rodeo for bringing back pro rodeo to High River after three years and running an organized event.
Edey especially liked the old western flair, which captured the days of Guy Weadick, the man who created the Calgary Stampede.
“They really focused on the history of Guy Weadick and I thought that was great,” said Edey, who happens to live at the ranch once owned by Weadick.
The champions of the Guy Weadick Wild West Days rodeo on June 24-26 were: Bareback — Ty Taypotat, 88; Steer wrestling — Dallas Frank, 3.7s; Saddle bronc — 1. Jim Berry, 79.5; Team roping — Dustin Bird/Russell Cardoza, 5.8s; Tie-down roping — Erik Dublanko, 9.1s; Bull riding — Bryce West, 84.
For full results and CPRA season standings go to rodeocanada.com
