BOYLE – Hell on Hooves lived up to its name for the third year in a row, with more than 2,000 people packing the stands at the Boyle Ag Grounds for the now annual rodeo jackpot.
With athletes from all across Alberta and beyond, the third iteration of the event saw the Boyle & District Agricultural Society build on its previous successes, and pass along the wealth to the competitors; the final prize pool came in at just under $10,000 for the cowboys and cowgirls.
“It’s so incredible to see so many people able to come out and be able to enjoy themselves, whether they’re rodeo fans or just looking for an event,” said Ashtin Anderson, the chair of the ag society.
“It really brings the community together in a way that is incredible and unique, and I’m very thankful for everybody that helps make this possible and successful.”
This year’s roughstock event brought in riders who were looking to make a name for themselves, as well as established cowboys including Thorhild’s Brody Bandurka and Aiden Mazurenko.
“Our lineup of competitors today was probably one of the best you’re going to see around this area,” said Scott Miller, whose company Walking M Rodeo provided most of the horses and bulls the cowboys were riding.
“82 in the bulls, 82 in the broncs to win it, it was very exciting. It was a good match-up and a good rodeo.”
The event, which is free to attend for everybody, is put together thanks to the support of the local community, as well as the community businesses, regardless of what town they’re in.
“If it wasn’t for the local businesses and the support of everyone around the community – not even just Boyle, it’s Athabasca, it’s the surrounding communities – we wouldn’t be able to do this and it’s a very enjoyable evening,” said Matt Kowalchuk, who helped organize the event and run the rodeo from behind the chutes.
Cash in hand
In total, 30 contestants left the Boyle Ag Grounds with some change in their pocket curtesy of the rodeo. Of that group, Eylam Podolak almost certainly travelled the farthest; the 16-year-old bronc rider from Stony Plain had been down in Salt Lake City the day before, driving all night to make it to Hell on Hooves.
“I was really worried about not making it for the rodeo. I was talking to Scott and he waited until the bulls to run my horse for me, which was awesome of him,” said Podolak, who left the arena with an extra $1,120 in his pocket as the only bareback rider with a qualified score.
Other riders were returning from injury, like Lac La Biche’s Kaycen Nowicki, whose 79 point ride on Rockin’ Royal landed him a $740 purse.
“This was my first horse back, so it was pretty cool to come back and win it. Sitting out, you just crave it even more so I was more excited to get back to it,” said Nowicki.
For the hometown contestants, the rodeo is a chance to show what they can do in front of friends and family. Kegan and Sydney Miller, Scott’s children, had a busy day alternating between helping get everything set up and competing in their own events.
Kegan finished first in the novice horse riding, finishing with a score of 64 riding Brokenhearted and earning $410, while Sydney finished second in the youth barrel racing, 0.004 seconds behind first place with her horse Drifter.
“It’s awesome, everyone you know comes out to see you, all your friends are here; it’s pretty good,” said Kegan.
