During the intermission I enjoyed the display of talent by local Canadian artists. The air had a bit of a chill in it. No sun to warm us with an overcast sky. The distinct smell of horse and cow manure mixed with dirt floated on the breezes as the arena was worked for the next events. To some that may be distasteful, but to me I took a deep breath soaking it all in!
Hand braided cinches, photography, bosels, hand crafted leather, and stunning one of a kind bits and spurs were some of the wares on display. I met Kim Taylor, of Sliding U Photography. Her mission: Promote and educate others of a dying breed. I am proud to be using her 2018 planner featuring Canadian artists and stunning photographs of Alberta ranch life.
The first half began with group B of Team Sorting. I will be honest. I skipped out to enjoy a wonderful conversation with a local Canadian who was assisting at Kim Taylors table. I enjoyed hearing her story. We share common ground in our love of adventure.
Wild Cow Milking
Do I need to say more? The cows were of the true wild variety!!!
Cows were turned loose.
Teams were again given a specific cow to rope and milk.
Milk went into a bottle and was transported to the west end of the arena to be dumped. ‘Must be enough to dump out’ was the rule.
Broke Horse Race
Members from 4 different ranch teams entered the arena riding or leading horses that were saddled and bridled. One rider from each team removed the saddle and bridle from their horse and handed it off to be led to the opposite end of the arena. Here a team member held the horse loosely with no halter or bridle.
Back with the saddle and bridle on the ground, the jockey(s) stand waiting. Here another mounted member waits for the horse to be released. This riders job is to rope the horse and return it to the jockey to be saddled and bridled.
Horses are turned loose on the opposite end of the arena from the ‘jockey’.
The horse is roped by another member of the team and delivered to the ‘jockey’.
The rider bridles….
and saddles the horse before racing it back to the other end of the arena.
One’s definition of broke often varies…Some of these horses found themselves as excited as the humans…
Expressed by bucking en route to the finish line….
These are broke horses! What could possible go wrong?
?????? Broke Horse Race ??????
That, readers, completes the competition section of the Bar U Historical Ranch Rodeo.
Steel’s Scouts
Next was a reenactment display of Steel’s Scouts (late 1880’s).
This army troup sometimes called the Buckskin Calvary, Ranch Calvary, Cowboy Calvary and Steel Calvary formed to fight against Indians in the Northwest Canada. They were a tough lot made up of ranchers and cowboys.
While researching online, I came across a great book on Steel’s Scouts telling the story of how they shaped a part of Canadian History.
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Have you enjoyed the rodeo? Comment with your favorite event. I have enjoyed it twice and then some. Once in person and multiple times as I have created this post. I am going to leave you with a personal favorite picture of mine from the rodeo. Puts a smile on my face every time. Might be cause these little feet belong to my niece.
