Calgary Flames player Curtis Glencross and an all-star rodeo cast will be riding roughstock at the Daines Rodeo Ranch on Aug. 22 to raise funds for Ronald McDonald House and the Hockey Alberta Foundation.
“This will be our third annual Glencross Invitational Charity Roughstock event,” said Glencross. “So far, in the first two years we have raised nearly $500,000 and hope to break $350,000 this year alone with the majority of the funds coming from the rodeo.”
The Flames hockey player/cowboy added the Daines Rodeo Ranch has been the home of the event since its inception.
“The Daines have been very important to the Glencross Legacy Fund, which endows Ronald McDonald House and Alberta Hockey, by allowing us to use their ranch,” added Glencross. “Kyle Daines and Jim Berry are on the committee for the event and we had been talking about something like this for some time. There weren't many roughstock events out there, so we created one.”
Last year's event attracted 1,500 spectators and cowboys from the Canadian Finals Rodeo circuit such as Matt Lait, Tanner Girletz and Jim Berry.
“The quality of competitors is high, and the stock we get from our suppliers is second to none,” said Glencross. “It's our goal to provide the best rodeo entertainment we can. In the past we've done that, and will do it again.”
Jason Blaine will provide entertainment under the tent. The post-rodeo is on Aug. 22 and there will be a sponsors-only event on Aug. 21.
The event costs $25 for spectators, with kids under 12 getting in free.
The charity rodeo is sponsored by PennWest Exploration, the Calgary Flames, Alberta Treasury Branch, and Mountainview Dodge of Olds. First- place winners in bronc, bull and bareback riding events receive a one-year lease on a new Dodge 3500 Laredo Longhorn.
“Every penny raised from the rodeo goes back to the community,” said Glencross. “I am fortunate to be able to work in a profession with a team that allows me to help others this way. My wife and I want to give back to grassroots hockey and families. This is one way we can do that.”
Funds raised are donated to Ronald McDonald House (60 per cent) and to the Every Kid Every Community program (40 per cent) and are administered by the Alberta Hockey Foundation.
Tickets for the event can be purchased at Burnt Lake Livestock or at the Daines Ranch gates starting at 5 p.m. on Aug. 22.
