Rodeo gets in the blood of its competitors.
It's hard to let go.
So some continue in the sport into their senior years — some in their 80s.
Several members of the Canada Senior Pro Rodeo Association performed in Bowden Aug. 5 and 6.
The second day was not kind to them. It rained virtually the whole time.
But that didn't stop them.
They thrashed and raced around in the mud like kids and simply ignored the wetness.
Tracy Leibel, a longtime barrel racer and roper herself, is inspired by her fellow competitors. She helped arrange the rodeo in Bowden.
Leibel notes Bill Reeder, 74, was the Canadian pro calf roping champion in 1976. He still competes in calf roping, team roping and breakaway roping.
Other amazing male competitors include calf ropers Bob Hood, 77; Arnie Johnson, 73; and Roger Gunsh, 72.
Among female competitors, Frances Hargrave was the 1972 Canadian barrel racing champion.
Elaine Hyde is in her 70s and still racing.
Tanya Hancock rode bucking horses, cows and bulls. She was a champion several times.
Leibel wants the public to know just how special these seniors are.
"They're just really good friends of mine and I know Bill, his health isn't good. And I just think, what a loss if we don't remember what he's done, and he's so amazing," she says. "They're such good people and I just wanted to recognize them one more time before something happens."
