INNISFAIL – Cowboys, entertainment and plenty of rodeo action.
The 58th annual Innisfail Pro Rodeo at the Daines Ranch welcomed visitors and competitors from across North America from June 15 to 17.
“It’s a Canadian Professional Rodeo Association (CPRA) sanctioned event with the seven major events,” said organizer Dustin Daines. “We also cater to the novice (group), which is boys' steer riding, saddle bronc and bareback riding. We love to have the novice in here to give them a taste of the pros and get them on their way.”
The four-day rodeo event included slack events on Thursday, one performance Friday evening, two on Saturday and the fourth and final performance on Sunday afternoon.
Events included steer wrestling, bareback riding, team roping, tie down roping, saddle bronc riding, ladies barrel racing and bull riding.
Mutton bustin and grand entries were also part of the annual rodeo.
Close to 500 participants from across Canada, including Alberta and British Columbia, and the United States, including those from Texas and Montana competed.
Area competitors included steer wrestler Ryan Shuckburgh from Innisfail, tie down roper Tyler Leischner from Olds, barrel racer Judy Veer from Sundre and bull rider Travis Warburton, also from Sundre.
“We have about 15 cowboys in each event. We have some with 12 to 14 (participants),” said Daines, noting an increase in numbers this year. “There’s more competitors here than last year, probably 20 per cent more.
“Rodeo is doing good and well in 2018,” he added.
In addition to the rodeo events, there were concession stands and entertainment throughout the weekend including Full Throttle Trick Riders, Niki Flundra with her Unbridled Act, CCMA-nominated artist Drew Gregory, and a new mascot, Bull Jangles, was making the rounds in the crowd.
Daines noted the support from Innisfail and area communities and their contributions to the event's success each year.
“It’s great to see how the community supports the Innisfail Pro Rodeo,” said Daines. “We thank the community for supporting us. We’re going to continue on with the 59th annual rodeo next year.”
