A cloudy and cool, windy weekend under the constant looming threat of pouring rain did not seem to substantially dampen the enthusiasm for fans, many of whom came out with blankets, for the 15th annual Bulls and Wagons.
“Based on gate sales, our attendance was up from last year,” said Jack Nichol, chair of the steering committee, which is under the umbrella of the Sundre Rodeo and Race Association, that organizes the World Professional Bullriding Inc. sanctioned event.
“The weather held; it never rained. And people were dressed warm enough,” said Nichol.
All of the Calcutta, as well as most of the raffle tickets, were sold, helping to cover the expenses for the non-profit event, he said.
Despite a minor incident with a contestant getting a few stitches, there were no serious injuries, and none of the animals were hurt, “which is always important,” he said.
“We didn’t have any problems.”
Nichol expressed his gratitude for all of the contributions from his fellow committee members as well as the volunteers who did an excellent job and all of the sponsorship, which was up this year, he said.
“Without them, we wouldn’t be able to do it.”
Looking ahead to next year, organizers will before long be meeting to discuss options to further improve the annual event, he said.
“We’re definitely going to have it again.”
Scott Else, from Calgary, whose in-laws live just outside of Sundre, is no stranger to local rodeo action, and was out at the stands on Saturday with his son Oliver, who’s almost three years old.
“We come to lots of the events here, (including) the pro rodeo and the Bulls and Wagons,” Else said.
“We always love seeing the bull riders of course; that’s always fun. And the chariots are super exciting too.”
Watching the kids scramble to wrangle and mount their steeds in the wild pony race is also guaranteed to provide some good entertainment, he said, adding as long as life’s schedule allows, they’ll be back.
Tony Madsen, from Cochrane, is another regular at Bulls and Wagons. Madsen’s son-in-law, Will Evans, drives a chuckwagon and has competed at Sundre’s event for a number of years.
“We come just for the chuckwagons, but we love the whole thing. We love the events with the kids, like the pony races,” said Madsen.
“It’s just a fun family day,” he said, recommending the event for any rodeo fans that have never had the chance to attend.
“Even if you’re not a rodeo fan, come on out!”
Although they drove home on Saturday, they planned to return Sunday for the final performances, and will probably be back “next year and the year after. As long as our son-in-law keeps racing, we’re gonna be here.”
Bulls and Wagons results
Wagons — John Stott, Dale Young and Colby Arcand
Chariots — Tyrell Miller, Chris Arcand and Curtis Hagg
Bull riding — Kyle Primeau, Ty Patten and Brandon Sahli
Ty Patten, from Buck Lake, Alta., grimaces with gritty determination as he manages to keep his grip long enough to score 83.5 points. He went on to finish second in the bull riding event.
Australia’s Kayne Drew, one of several international competitors who came out to test their mettle, gets ready for his run. Simon Ducatel/MVP Staff
Brazil’s Italo Aguilar, one of several international competitors who came out to test their mettle, braces for impact after getting bucked off.
A bull rider manages to find a solid grip and hangs on through a rough ride. Simon Ducatel/MVP Staff
Jesse Pitman, from Calgary, struggled to get a good grip and couldn’t hang in there. Simon Ducatel/MVP Staff
Despite a decent start to his run, this competitor ended up thrown off his mount. Simon Ducatel/MVP Staff
Chuckwagon driver Calvin Rowan races his team of horses. Simon Ducatel/MVP Staff
Chuckwagon driver Chris Arcand’s team of horses races off to a good start. He ended up placing second in the chariot event. Simon Ducatel/MVP Staff
Rebekah Schalin “heeyahs” her team of horses during the chariot races. Simon Ducatel/MVP Staff
Tyrel Miller, no stranger to Sundre Bulls and Wagons, returned to race in the chariot and chuckwagon events. He went on to win the chariot races. Simon Ducatel/MVP Staff
Daxton Young, from Eagle Hill, whose dad Dale Young was among the chuckwagon drivers, races in the mini chuckwagon event. Simon Ducatel/MVP Staff
A team struggles to rein in their steed during the wild horse race. Simon Ducatel/MVP Staff
Young cowpoke competitors attempt to wrangle during the wild pony race. Simon Ducatel/MVP Staff
Car show and Model T racers
The Sundre Rodeo Grounds also hosted a car show on Saturday as well as Model T races.
Although organizer and Sundre resident Cody McAllister expects the weather had a detrimental role in the turnout of vehicles — there were about a dozen on display free of charge for the public — he did not seem disheartened and is already looking forward to next year.
“We’ll do it again for sure, and just hope for better weather,” said McAllister.
Warren Grimstead, left, and his son Jack, from Bergen, take a look Saturday at one of almost a dozen vehicles displayed during the car show. Simon Ducatel/MVP Staff
Meanwhile, there were just more than double the number of Model T racers who came out for the races at the track, up to 10 from about four in recent years, said Sundre’s Paddy Munro.
This year’s event featured a special tribute to longtime racer Cliff Proctor, 77, from Red Deer, who retired from racing, said Munro during a phone interview on Sunday.
“Yesterday was his last race,” he said.
“He’s a respected longtime member of our club, the Foothills Model T Club,” as well as the Alberta Fairground Racers, said Munro.
“He was one of the first guys to get into Model T racing about 10 years ago.”
Munro praised Proctor’s contributions to the club as a mechanically inclined mentor with a passion for taking care of his collection of more than a dozen vintage vehicles, including his pride and joy, a rare 1909 model.
“He’s a guy that will always share his knowledge with the newer guys in the club,” said Munro.
Following time trial warm-up runs, there were four races. Proctor and Munro each won an event. Ken Hotte, from Bruderheim, who Munro hailed as “a very skilled driver and a fun guy to race against,” also won a race. Last but certainly not least, Bruce Brander, from the James River area, who Munro described as “a good driver, safe but aggressive, and his car is quick,” also placed first.
Bruce Brander, from James River, behind the wheel of No. 55, comes around a corner with Harry Lillo, from Chestermere, driving the Orange Crush, hot on his heels. Simon Ducatel/MVP Staff
While speed is the name of the game, organizers prioritize safety, said Munro.
“We don’t want anyone getting hurt. These cars can approach 60 miles per hour,” (almost 100 kilometres per hour) he said, adding excessive speeds can potentially be tricky to handle on a dirt track.
Although the stands were not as packed as they were for Bulls and Wagons, there was nevertheless a good-sized turnout of people who came out to cheer on the racers.
“From the members of the crowd I talked to, they enjoyed it,” he said.
Ken Pootz, who recently retired and lives in Calgary but enjoys spending time at a cabin in Bergen Springs he and his wife purchased about four years ago, did not miss the opportunity to check out the Model T racers.
Self-professed car racing fan Ken Pootz, who recently retired and lives in Calgary but enjoys spending time at a cabin in Bergen Springs he and his wife purchased about four years ago, enjoyed on Saturday a chance to check out some vintage vehicles, including this Ford, before the Model T races. Simon Ducatel/MVP Staff
“I’m a big car racing fan,” said Pootz, adding without hesitation that he will definitely be back.
“My wife and I are absolutely loving it. We love this area; it’s a fun spot.”
Munro was glad to see more racers this year, and said more people seem to be picking up building old racers as a hobby. Every time members of the club go to a race, there are some spectators who say it looks like fun, then spend the winter working on a project and they show up the following year, he said.
Some of them, he said, are younger men, as well as occasionally women.
“That really makes the club fun when you get lots of young people involved.”
Harry Lillo, from Chestermere, warms up during some time trials. Simon Ducatel/MVP Staff
Ken Hotte, from Ardrossan, located east of Edmonton, fuels up carefully to avoid spilling a drop of gas on Saturday ahead of the Model T races. It was his first time competing in Sundre’s event, and he was one of 10 racers, including his son Matt Hotte, which was double the number of the past few years. Simon Ducatel/MVP Staff
Ken Hotte, from Ardrossan, located east of Edmonton, took a substantial lead to win one of several heats. Simon Ducatel/MVP Staff
Rosalie Lillo, from Chestermere, waves the checkered flag, marking the final lap of one of several heats. Her husband Harry was among the racers. Simon Ducatel/MVP Staff
Sundre’s Paddy Munro warms up during the time trials. Simon Ducatel/MVP Staff
Neighbours’ Day
The weekend’s activities started on Friday with the annual Neighbours’ Day event, which while traditionally held in September was for the first time in that event’s history held in tandem with Bulls and Wagons.
Tracey McCrimmon, Sundre Petroleum Operators Group (SPOG) executive director and organizer, said the turnout was great.
“We had close to 60 exhibits,” said McCrimmon.
The Sundre Arena was packed with people and a variety of exhibits on Friday, Aug. 9 during the annual Neighbours’ Day event put on by the Sundre Petroleum Operators Group. Simon Ducatel/MVP Staff
“And we figure we had more than 2,000 people come through. That’s definitely up from the year before,” she said, adding, “the date change obviously worked.”
Cool, cloudy weather that threatens rain “always works in our favour,” she said, adding not only does the indoor expo give people a chance to avoid potential downpours, but farmers also aren’t as preoccupied with working the fields.
Although the new date made things a bit more difficult for industry members in terms of accommodating employee holiday schedules, the date change was, at least according to feedback forms, well received, she said.
“It brought in a lot of families.”
The Freeman family checks out the Alberta Environment and Parks booth. Brooklin Bellavance, a recreation engagement officer with the provincial department who is based in Rocky Mountain House, provided some education about public land use zones. Simon Ducatel/MVP Staff
That has always been a part of SPOG’s vision, she said, referring to making Neighbours’ Day a community-based event for everyone, not just the oil and gas sector. The organizing committee has a debriefing meeting scheduled later this month, and “unless there’s a reason we need to change, we’ll look to keep it for that day.”
Sisters Rosemary Enzie, left, and Heather Kelcey, both from Olds, enjoy the opportunity to take a gander at the Medicine River Wildlife Centre’s mascot, Otis the Owl, while Water Valley resident Douglas Collister looks on as well. Simon Ducatel/MVP Staff
Songwriter and guitarist Diane Stefanchuk, from Bearberry, provided some live music during the event. Simon Ducatel/MVP Staff
Kade Perry, 6, tries his luck at Plinko at the Town of Sundre’s booth. He came out with his brother CJ, 5, accompanied by mom Nadine Perry and grandmother Freida Kraft, who all live in Sundre. Simon Ducatel/MVP Staff
Katelyn Hope, 3, gets up for a closer look at one of the goats at a petting zoo that was set up by Butterfield Acres Petting Farm. She was among a group of about a dozen children who came out from the Mount Imagination Daycare. Simon Ducatel/MVP Staff
Everly Zinter, 4, and Riley Schmidt, also 4, gleefully reach out to caress bunnies at a petting zoo that was set up by Butterfield Acres Petting Farm. They were among a group of about a dozen children who came out from the Mount Imagination Daycare. Simon Ducatel/MVP Staff
