Team Roping at the Schmidt House, also known as T.R.A.S.H, was bigger and better than ever this year.
Located just outside of Barrhead, the camp is offered by team roping champion Ronald Schmidt. It aims to teach aspiring cowboys and cowgirls between 10 to 16 years old the skills and techniques they need to succeed as team ropers.
The camp accepted more participants than they ever have before, with a whopping 75 young cowboys and cowgirls heading out for three days of roping.
Schmidt said the advanced camp presents a unique opportunity for the youngsters, as they are taught and mentored by the best of the best. This year, kids roped alongside CFR team roping qualifiers such as Steele Depaoli, Daryn Knapp, Clint Buhlur, Tyrel Fleweling, Rocky Dalyn, Wayne Skocdopole, Clay White and many more.
There were some new professionals down this year, said Schmidt. Although they had heard of the camp, they had never gotten the chance to see it for themselves until now.
“They were overwhelmed,” said Schmidt. “When you can impress an instructor, you know you’re doing something right.”
The camp also saw very special guests this year: The Original Six. These men were the first six teams to ever team rope in the Canadian Rodeo Finals when it was introduced to the event in 2000.
Schmidt said he is still “overwhelmed” he was able to bring together the six teams to the camp for a small roping competition and demonstration. The kids were able to see them in action.
“It was great to have the Original Six here,” said Schmidt, who was part of the six himself. In fact, he and Troy Fischer hold the honours of being the first team roping CFR champions.
Twelve-year-old Kash Bonnett returned to the camp for this fourth year and said he has enjoyed coming here.
The young cowboy has two older brothers who are currently team roping professionally, which is why he took up the sport at the tender age of five. Although his brothers have helped him in the past, he said learning at the camp is a lot easier.
“My brothers teach me, but I kind of get mad at them when they teach me because they’re my brothers,” laughed Bonnett. “These guys here are a lot easier to listen to.”
Bonnett, who prefers the heeling side of team roping, said the teachers have helped him a lot with his technique. In particular, staying wide and aggressive on a run.
Luke Skocdopole, 14, was eager to learn anything that would help improve his skill set during his fifth time back at the Schmidt’s farm. Although he prefers heading the most, this year at the camp he’s heeling just for fun.
“I’ve learned to get lots of power on my rope and really follow through on my target,” he said.
Skocdopole also started roping when he was five years old, with influence from his father who was named a Canadian rodeo champion.
Surrounded by helpful professionals, Skocdopole said his favourite part about the camp were the teachers.
“You’re not just getting advice from one person, you’re getting it from 10 or 15,” he said. “It’s just a really fun, great camp.”
If the camp is offered next year, sign him up.
The camp experience doesn’t have to end for the rodeo lovers once they’ve become to old to participate. In fact many former campers return to teach, including Schmidt’s son Kolton.
The now 19-year-old took part in the camp every year up until a few years ago. Kolton looks back fondly on his learning years, and said participating was a good experience.
“The best in Canada are here helping you,” he said. “So getting to hang out around them for three days and learn from them, it’s a dream come true for most of these kids.”
When he became too old to take part, Kolton turned to teaching. He said he mostly helps the youngsters with their roping techniques, as young cowboys and cowgirls come to the camp with a wide range of skill level.
“It’s all over the place,” said Kolton. “There’s some kids that are just about as good as the pros, and some that are just starting to rope.”
They also learn about the professional attitude of the sport as well.
Returning as a teacher is like seeing the future in front of your eyes, said Kolton. His favourite part is finding himself in the position he once admired as a young cowboy.
“You looked up to those guys when you were little, and wanted to be like them,” said Kolton. “Now having the opportunity to be like them and teach kids that were in your same shoes, it’s a really cool deal.”
Though the camp does help the youths improve their skill and teach them the professional attitude of the sport, it’s about enjoying themselves too. There are a lot of fun activities, said Kolton, and the kids are always together goofing around.
In addition to learning about rodeo from the best of the best, the group also had the opportunity to hear about life beyond the rodeo grounds from guest speakers Brian Koberstein and Dr. Bob Steadward.
Though he roped in his younger years, Steadward spent his life as an anatomy and sports medicine professor at the University of Alberta, and working at his private sports medicine clinic in Edmonton. He is also a former International Olympic Committee member, and founder of the International Paralympic Committee.
After he retired 12 years ago Steadward took up roping again, and for the past eight he has been involved with the camp.
With experience helping Olympians and NHL hockey players prepare for their careers, Steadward takes great pleasure in passing along his wisdom to the young cowboys and cowgirls.
Steadward spoke to the group about everything ranging from the importance of mental preparation, to why the young cowboys and cowgirls should experience adversity in their lives. He also touched on success and failure, and what can lead to each.
“I talked to them about the recipe for success,” he said. “It’s up to them to take the ingredients of skill, talent, sacrifice, and attitude, and become successful by using them properly.”
Another tip Steadward told the campers was the importance of a game plan in their lives, asking the group to question what their goals and objectives were for today, tomorrow, or 10 years from now.
Everyone needs a game plan, he said. Each person has to have a dream and a vision.
Steadward also talked about life beyond the rodeo.
“There’s more to life than rodeo. They’ve got education, careers, families,” he said. “They’re all not going to be making a living as rodeo cowboys or cowgirls. They have to look at other things in life as well.”
In the meantime though, Steadward has enjoyed watching the progress of the enthusiastic ropers. Some he has seen return every year since they were seven or eight years old, watching them grow into talented young men and women.
“Most of them have been here for quite a few of the years, every year, trying to learn more and getting their skills. Now they’re sixteen or seventeen,” said Steadward. “I’ve seen a lot of these kids grow up at this event. It’s wonderful.”
Schmidt said making it to the tenth year has been a lot of work, but it feels good to hit the milestone. It could not have been possible however without the help of the many volunteers.
“There is no way this camp could run without the help of everyone here. They all step up,” said Schmidt. “It’s a great idea, but it couldn’t be done without help.”
Schmidt would like to thank all the professionals who volunteered their time, and the sponsors who made the camp possible including Force Pile Driving, Al Dennis Light Oilfield Hauling, CVS Controls, Big West Dodge, Lincoln County Oilfield, and Troy Fischer Silverworks.
