Age was nothing more than a number to the group of competitors that came through Barrhead for Senior Pro Rodeo last week.
The June 16-17 event hosted about 100 participants from all over Alberta, and some coming from as far as B.C, Saskatchewan, and the United States.
The seasoned cowboys and cowgirls showed they still have what it takes in barrel racing, ribbon roping, steer wrestling, team roping, breakaway roping, calf roping, ladies breakaway and yes, even bull riding.
The oldest competitor was Effie Simpson from Okotoks, who is still ribbon roping at the ripe old age of 79. Her partner, Jack Hicken from Stirling, isn’t too far behind at 78.
Randy Schmidt, one of the organizers and a competitor himself, said the event was a success. The potluck supper Monday night was well attended, as was the live and silent auction.
“Charlie Parsons from Sunnyside Realty came down and did some guest auctioneering for our fundraiser that night,” said Randy. “We raised right around $2,200. That was good to basically cover the cost of the rodeo.”
Although there weren’t too many in the rodeo crowd on the weekday morning and afternoons, Randy said he was pleased to see a dozen Hillcrest Lodge residents come out and spend the entire second day in the stands.
“I went and talked to them during the rodeo and they were all smiles and glad to have come,” said Randy. “It’s kind of cool for them to get out and see something different.”
The Barrhead area can be proud of all its competitors too.
Great skill was displayed in ladies breakaway when Vega competitor Colleen Branden entered the arena. The local lady claimed first place on Tuesday when she succeeded a time of five seconds for 63 points.
Leonard Schmidt had a third place run in breakaway roping 70 with a 4.3 second time for 44 points on Monday, and third place with a speedy 3.4 seconds and 44 points Tuesday.
Fellow Barrhead competitor Larry Adams joined Leonard in team roping 50-59, where the two landed second place with 14.2 seconds and 61 points.
Barrhead’s Darcy Miller and team roping partner Chuck Melin from Fort Saskatchewan had the only qualified run in the 40-49 category on Monday, with a time of 18.6. This landed the two 66 points.
Darcy participated in several other events over the two days. On Monday he landed points in calf roping, where he had a time of 47.8 for 52 points, and Ribbon roping where he was joined by his wife Jackie. The two had a time of 22.4 for 53 points.
Tuesday Darcy joined Fort Saskatchewan’s Chuck Melin in team roping for more points. The team claimed second place with a time of 11.3 for 56 points.
Mayerthorpe was very well represented throughout the rodeo, with competitors placing in barrel racing, breakaway roping, calf roping, ribbon roping, and team roping.
On Monday Lana Bohnet kicked up dust in the arena as she rode quickly through her routine in the 50-59 barrel racing. A time of 17.39 for 75 points awarded her first place. Tuesday Bohnet placed third in barrel racing with a 17.54 time and 55 points.
Bohnet partnered with Roger Gunsch of Thorsby for a second place finish Monday in 50-59 ribbon roping, where the two had a 11.1 time for 66 points. Tuesday the two placed third with a time of 20.7 and 46 points.
She wasn’t Mayerthorpe’s only star. Lyle Kathrein claimed first in 40-49 calf roping on Monday with a 20.9 second time for 62 points.
Lyle also participated in ribbon roping with Michelle Kathrein, where the two landed first place for their 14.4 second run that gave them 63 points. The two claimed another first place finish on Tuesday with an 18.4 second time for 63 points.
Team roping 60+ competitor Bruce Romeo was another first place winner. He and his roping partner Neil Howard of Spruce Grove had a time of 8.9 seconds for 68 points on Tuesday.
Ross Bohnet, who took part in the 50-59 team roping, landed second with a time of 8 seconds for 61 points with his roping partner.
Dianne Romeo did well in the 60+ barrel racing, landing third place on Monday with an 18.49 second run for 49 points. Tuesday she upped her game and placed second for her improved time of 18.19 for 59 points.
Crystal Loughran from Mayerthorpe had an impressive time of 17.89 seconds during her run in the 40-49 barrel racing, which gave her second place on Monday with 72 points. She had a second good run Tuesday with a time of 17.9 seconds for 51 points.
Randy said organizers are hoping to host the Senior Pro Rodeo again next year. Because of the great group of volunteers, which consists of about 20 Barrhead locals, the odds are looking good.
“You have to have helpers or else the rodeo wouldn’t happen,” said Randy. “A big thank you to our volunteers that helped out, that’s for sure.”
