The Old Time Ranch Rodeo at the Bar U Ranch historic site has provided Canadians and other visitors with a taste of the real working ranch since the early 2000s, and the tradition doesn’t seem to be stopping anytime soon. Bar U Ranch acting site manager Mike McLean said the Friends of the Bar U Ranch started the event as a way to engage visitors in Canadian culture. “[The rodeo] was a wonderful way to connect visitors to the history of ranching by showing working cowboys doing rodeo events that are really based on things they would do every day,” said McLean of the event, which is Aug. 19 at the Bar U. He said the events are similar to those of contemporary rodeos, but they are based on what would happen authentically on a ranch. “You’d have events like team sorting where you’d be sorting cattle up on the range, or team doctoring where you’d have to doctor an animal away from any cattle handling facilities, team branding, wild cow milking, and broke horse racing,” McLean said. Broke horse racing is where cowboys or cowgirls must rope a horse, saddle him up, and race to the finish line. Ranch rodeo is the real deal. “I think it’s interesting to people because they’re right up close to the action, they can see what’s going on,” said McLean. “It’s all readily explained to the newcomers of the events, and they can get a real sense about what it’s like.” McLean said it is one of the Bar U’s most well attended events. This year, 12 teams of four will compete. Among those teams are last year’s champions, including some all-women teams. Eve Miller will compete with the Flying E Ranch. “This is the first year I am actually competing in it,” said Miller. “We are a group of girls who like to do this kind of thing, so we decided to put a team in.” The team consists of women from Pincher Creek, Nanton and Stavley. Miller is from the Longview area. “Our goal is to hold our own and just to have fun,” she said. “My favourite event is the team doctoring and the sorting. It’s something that you would do on a regular basis on the ranch. “They really demonstrate low-stress cattle handling and how easy it (ranching) can be on an animal.” Miller does help her husband from time to time on the working ranch Pekisko Creek Ranch. “I try to go out with them as much as I can, doctoring calves, whatever,” she said. McLean said the teams are eager to showcase their skills but are also competing for silver buckles and an opportunity to compete at the Heritage Ranch Rodeo in November. The grand entry will also be an exciting time — it will feature a new addition to the rodeo. “We had a group of ladies get together and create a side-saddle racing team that showcased the first weekend of the Calgary Stampede and got a really, really great reception,” he said. “[They] are going to be around for the grand entry and at the rodeo for a chance for people to meet them.” The grand entry is at 12:45 p.m. following the ranch horse competition, which will launch the festivities at 10 a.m. The rodeo is at 1 p.m. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. an artisan fair will be open. “There’s lots of ways to just have a great day at the Bar U Ranch and find out the way the West once was,” said McLean. Admission costs $7.80 for adults, $6.55 for seniors and is free for children and youth age 17 and under. For more information go to friendsofthebaru.com.
