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Nice weather didn’t reduce crowds at 48th Kinsmen Indoor Rodeo

Apr 30, 2018 | 2:00 PM

When you’re getting close to the half-century mark of an annual event, you’re probably doing something right.

That’s the case with the North Battleford Kinsmen Indoor Rodeo, which held its 48th event this past weekend at the Civic Centre. Spanning three days from Friday to Sunday, the rodeo included events ranging from saddle bronc, bull riding, calf roping and team roping, to steer wrestling and barrel racing.

Perhaps the best news for organizers was the fact that the nice weekend weather didn’t deter people from attending.

“Last year was a pretty strong year, and we were able to maintain those numbers,” Organizer Heath Gabruch said. “Everything went extremely well.”

Thanks to the strong attendance numbers, a significant donation will be made to STARS air ambulance. The committee decided to donate all 50/50 proceeds to STARS, and raised over $4,500.

“It was important for us as a group to participate and contribute to something that was very significant in helping with the [Humboldt Broncos bus] tragedy,” Gabruch said. “We felt that would be beneficial to everyone in this province.”

Sunday’s bonus round, which was an addition to the rodeo last year, returned yet again to give the winners a chance for even more prizes and glory.

“The top six in each of the events based on points [went] up against each other for an extra set of bonus cash,” Gabruch said. “That was a big success.”

Another new addition was a silent auction for a limited edition signed copy of The Working Cowboy, which Megan Toews put together. Gabruch said the book tied in well with their rodeo.

“Most of those fellows that were in that book were on the dirt surface as part of our opening on Saturday night,” he said. “A lot of those men have been a part of the Kinsmen rodeo over the years.”

Plans are already underway, not just for next year, but for the big 5-0 in 2020.

“We’ve had a few conversations over the weekend with different ideas that have come up,” Gabruch said. “It has, believe it or not, started already.”

 

nathan.kanter@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @NathanKanter11