Darkness descends shortly after 7 p.m. An arc of fire blazes from the soil, half lighting the Sangudo arena. Behind it stands a shadowed line of cowboys, arms folded or hands on hips, their features barely visible in the flickering light.
Darkness descends shortly after 7 p.m. An arc of fire blazes from the soil, half lighting the Sangudo arena.
Behind it stands a shadowed line of cowboys, arms folded or hands on hips, their features barely visible in the flickering light.
They are called by name, the men ready to do battle in Sangudo &District Agricultural Society's "Bull Bash."
As an opening act of theatre, it is impressive, ratcheting up tension for Saturday's full house of bull riding fans.
Soon the dirt was flying and hooves pounding as cowboys vied for prize money and a championship jacket, putting body and pride on the line.
Once the dust had settled, one man was left standing … the crowd's favourite, hometown hero Jerett Nash.
It was a case of leaving best to last as Nash claimed the 2012 Bull Bash title with an 85-point ride which triggered frenzied applause and cheers.
Nash waved to fans and accepted the plaudits, even though celebrations could not begin until the final ride was over.
Sundre's Wyatt Gleeson had found himself in the position of potential party pooper.
An eight second ride on Spidey Sense and he would snatch the glory from Nash. But after several minutes of preparation – minutes that seemed like an age – he was swiftly sent crashing to the ground and the partying began.
It was an exciting climax to the Elite Professional Bull Riders' first ever stop in Sangudo.
Some of the bulls and riders have been to the Canadian Finals Rodeo and many Elite Professional Bull Riding events throughout Western Canada and the USA.
According to the program, the card featured Jerett Nash, Sangudo, AB; Jordan Arbuthnott, Strathmore, AB; Josh Birks, Australia; Justin Lloyd, Alcomdale, AB; Kim Forbes, Quebec City, QC; Kyle Primeau, St. Albert, AB; Nick Olson, Edmonton, AB; Scott Lawson, Tofield, AB; Wacey Finkbeiner, Ponoka, AB; Warwick Klime, Australia; Wyatt Gleeson, Sundre, AB; Curtis Neufeld, Tofield, AB; Dakota Peterson, Wood Mountain, SK; Jordie Nash, Blackie, AB; Kyle Louden, Australia; Aaron Hetu, Kamloops, BC; and Ken Siemens, Fort St. John, BC.
The stock was supplied by Thompson Rodeo, Midnight Bucking Bulls, Wild Hog Bulls, XL Bucking Bulls and it was clear from the get-go that these beasts were in … well … bullish mood.
They raged and they bucked for two hours, giving no quarter. Several times spectators pressed against metal railings backed away as bulls came too close for comfort.
After the first round Gleeson took the honours with an 80-point ride on Dusk Till Dawn. Dakota Peterson, riding On The Chin, was second with 78 points, while Nick Olson scored 77.5 points on Nothing Else Matters.
As if the thrills of bull riding weren't enough, the crowd were then treated to Mexican Poker, with a $400 prize at stake.
It did not last long.
Four men had barely time to pick up their cards, before a ferocious bull charged the table.
Three fled the arena in quick succession, clambering over the fence as if their lives depended on it. Understandably, the remaining card player didn't wait for applause. No sooner had he left, the bull demolished the table.
How long had the entertainment lasted? Two or three minutes, or so it seemed. Perhaps for the players it had felt a lot longer. At least one of them will probably be nursing some bruises on Sunday morning.
And so on to the second round, where the riders were able to "pick their poison" by choosing their bulls. Poison it turned out to be as the bulls seemed to grow in ferocity with hardly any riders registering a score.
The stage was set for Jerett Nash and his heroics. It put everyone in the mood for the 9.45 p.m. dance featuring Wild Card, a six-piece band that plays country and rock, old and new.
The Ag Society is hoping to make the Bull Bash and Dance a yearly tradition.
