Future rodeo stars shine

The road to the pro rodeo circuit goes through Millarville.
The 13th annual Millarville Rodeo brought out the crowds this weekend —spectators and competitors alike — for what is becoming a popular event for tomorrow’s rodeo stars.
“It’s a really good learning opportunity, they get tremendous stock and we typically try to have it run smooth and professional so they’ll be encouraged to come back again or go down the road to the next one,” said Dave Clark, event organizer.
He said they saw a lot of growth in the local junior barrel racing event with 20 entrants this year. Clark said it’s a good opportunity for the young riders to experience racing in front of a large crowd.
Black Diamond bull rider Tyler Thomson, the 2008 Canadian champion, was also in attendance to give a few pointers to the next generation of bull riders.
Clark said this year’s rodeo went off without a hitch.
“It was fantastic. I think it was probably one of the better ones we’ve ever had,” he said. “Of course the weather certainly played a big factor in that.”
Attendance was up this year, as was the number of competitors. Clark said the number of entrants was up in all the roughstock events and novice horse riding was “way up.”
He said the increase shows young cowboys and cowgirls are making the transition to Senior levels of rodeo.
“That’s part of the program we have going building cowboys. It’s really good for us because it shows these guys are going on from steer riding and we’re getting more cowboys. It’ll just help rodeo in the future,” said Clark.
As well, with 14 foothills area competitors making it into the top of the standings for various events, Clark said the results show there’s a lot of talent in the foothills.
The final results for Foothills area entrants were as follows:
Bareback – first, Trent Woolford, Okotoks, 81 points.
Calf roping — split for third, Daryl Sutcliffe, DeWinton, 8.9 seconds.
Team roping – seventh, Tom and Wyatt Eirikson, Okotoks, 6.9.
Junior barrel racing – first, Kerilee Noval, Turner Valley, 16.19; second, Honora Jackson Roe, Millarville, 16.34; third, Jenna O’Reilly, Millarville, 16.36; fifth, Sasha Noval, Turner Valley, 16.47.
Steer riding — Three-way tie for first, Jordan Glaicar, Millarville, 78; sixth, Carson King, Bragg Creek, 75.
Junior bull riding – second, Quillan Lowry, Millarville, 75.