Garret Harrigan of Maple Creek shows his skills in the Bull Riding competition. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Angela Brown

Rodeo days

Rodeo kicks off in North Battleford

Apr 27, 2019 | 12:02 PM

Yippee Ki-yay! It’s rodeo time in the Battlefords again.

There was plenty of action at the Civic Centre Friday night when the 49th annual Kinsmen Indoor Rodeo kicked off for another year.

Rodeo participants had a chance to compete in a variety of categories including saddle bronco, steer wrestling, barrel racing and bull riding.

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North Battleford area brothers Wyatt and Chance Fennig were among those showing their mettle in the bull riding competition.

Wyatt, 17, rode the snarling bull Snake Eyes, and Chance, 15, took on the formidable beast Hand Burner.

North Battleford area brothers Wyatt Fennig, left, and Chance Fennig were among those showing their skills in the bull riding competition. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW Staff)

Following his performance, Wyatt said he had thought he would fare a bit better in the competition but is hoping his next rodeo has better results.

“It didn’t go as planned. I had a game-plan set for him [Snake Eyes],” he said. “But, every time you set a game plan for a bull, set a trap for him, you’re going to get caught in it. Oh well, there’s always another rodeo and I’ll be back at it.”

Now in his third year of bull riding in the rodeo Wyatt says what he enjoys most about the event is the adrenaline rush.

Unfortunately, Chance suffered a concussion after hitting his head against the bull’s during the competition, according to Wyatt, so he will be taking some time to rest before competing again.

Prior to the show, Chance said he spends a lot of time training to prepare for bull riding, and makes sure to stay healthy and get the proper sleep. He said before a ride he also ensures he keeps active and completes his warm-up exercises. This was his first year bull riding in the rodeo.

Kollins Drake, of Moose Jaw, competes in the Jr. Girls Barrel Racing event. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW Staff)

Wyatt said he enjoys performing in the rodeo with his brother, and being supportive to one another. “We can help each other out and help fix issues that each of us have. It works out pretty good.”

Wyatt and Chance recently came back from training at Gary Leffew’s Bull Riding School in Arizona.

“He is one of the best teachers in the world,” said Wyatt.

Chance also said he loves the sport and hopes to “try and go as long as I can” with it in the future.

In total there are roughly 194 riders participating in the rodeo show this year.

Participants came from a wide area to compete. Most were from Saskatchewan and Alberta, but at least one participant came from Australia.

Team roping was among the popular competitions at the rodeo Friday. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW Staff)

The youngest performer in the competition Friday was a 10-year-old girl from Moose Jaw taking part in the Jr. Girls’ Barrel Racing.

While the attendance numbers weren’t in yet, Colleen Gabruch, a member of the Kinsmen Rodeo organizing committee, said the turn-out looked positive for the show, adding “it was a good crowd.”

Now in its 49th year, the rodeo continues to be a popular draw in the community, she said.

Proceeds from the three-day event benefit local charity and non profit organizations.

“It’s a good event to support,” Gabruch said. “The money goes back to the community.”

The rodeo runs until Sunday when the champions will be announced.

angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow