Barrhead brothers Grady and Quentin Branden are celebrating a double rodeo triumph.
While Grady won the team roping title in the Wildrose Rodeo, his 14-year-old brother Quentin took top honours in the junior breakaway.
It was an extra special occasion for Grady as he celebrated his 17th birthday on the opening day of the event.
“To win was the best birthday present I could ever receive,” he said. “It was a dream come true, absolutely awesome.”
The pair had high expectations of themselves. But it is one thing to expect, another to deliver.
“The whole family was there to support us,” said Grady. “I also watched Quentin perform each round and cheered him on.”
Grady, who is hoping to become a national champion one day, won a saddle and prize money of more than $1,000.
The Wildrose Rodeo has been hailed a great success, with Saturday and Sunday pulling in virtually sellout crowds, said organizer Leonard Schmidt.
He added he had been impressed with the level of skill on display at the Barrhead Agrena throughout the four days.
“The competition was tough and measured up to previous years,” he said. “Everybody performed to the best of their abilities. It was good to see local guys do well.”
This year marked the 31st anniversary of the rodeo finals, with more than 100 competitors vying for about $70,000 in prize money. There were 13 events in each performance.
Other activities included a cowboy auction, a kid’s day at the rodeo, a pancake breakfast, a beef-on-a-bun lunch and a Saturday night dance.
In between rodeo events, crowds were kept entertained by the constant banter of world famous clown Dennis Halstad and the master of ceremonies.
Schmidt, a former calf roping and team roping champion, said the rodeo had got off to a slow start with a “disappointing” Thursday night crowd.
The good weather may have been to blame, he said, with farmers working on their ranches.
Friday night, however, saw a big improvement, thanks to the rain.
“I don’t have access to all the numbers, but Saturday night and Sunday seemed to be almost sold out,” he said.
Schmidt, who is also a former president of the Wildrose Rodeo Association, said bull riding was always a big crowd pleaser — and this year was no exception.
“It has always been one of the tougher events. This time none of the riders stayed on for the necessary eight seconds,” said Schmidt.
“They all got bucked off. This is no reflection on today’s riders because the stock is so much stronger than it used to be. Bulls today are bred to buck.”
Perhaps the toughest event, however, is bareback riding with competitors prepared to subject their bodies to a fearsome battering, said Schmidt.
“Rodeo gets in the blood and competitors love what they do to death. They are prepared to put up with all the knocks,” the 71-year-old added.
“I must admit I miss the adrenaline rush of rodeo and would love to be out there competing, but it is a young man’s sport,” he said.
Schmidt was unaware of any major injuries this year.
“I think one of the saddle bronc riders was hurt, but he came to the event carrying an injury and eventually couldn’t continue,” he said.
Schmidt also had a family interest in this year’s rodeo because 12-year-old grandson Kagen competed in the junior steer riding and junior breakaway roping. “Kagen did OK, although he didn’t win anything this year,” said Schmidt. “It was a learning experience for him.”
