Rocky Pro Rodeo Expecting Great Camping Weather and Brooks Celebrates 49 years with New Bucking Chutes
CALGARY, ALTA. – Last year, Franklin Rodeo Co.’s legendary bucking horse Airwolf was cloned, and the gelding’s genetic twin was born Aug. 4, 2008. Dubbed Airwolf Too, and nicknamed “Wolfie,” the foal has been in Canyon, Texas since his birth, but about a month and a half ago, the colt came home.
“And they’re bringing them both down on Sunday,” divulges Lea Park Rodeo Secretary Lloyd Gray.
That means the 25-year-old original world-record holding bronc and Airwolf Too will be on display at the Lea Park rodeo grounds June 7, so you can judge for yourself what this unique pair have in common.
“He was black when he was born, but he’s as blue as a new set of blue jeans right now. And he’s turning gray. He’ll be gray like the other horse,” says Shane Franklin, owner of Franklin Rodeo Co.
“He’s calm, gentle and quiet, but you can just tell,” he chuckles of Wolfie’s temperament when asked how similar it is to the original Airwolf.
“Other then that, it’s the regular rodeo,” Gray says about this weekend’s three-day event, staring June 5.
“We always get lots of entries, and it’s one of the nicest spots in Canada. We’ve got a natural hillside grandstand and it’s set down in the valley. It’s a really picturesque place to be,” he says.
It’s the 55th annual Lea Park Rodeo and, although they’re not planning on celebrating any more anniversaries until the big 6-0, Gray recommends heading out to the Lea Park Rodeo in Marwayne, Alta. and taking in all the action of the six major rodeo events, plus team roping, novice saddle bronc riding, novice bareback riding, and horse racing.
He also encourages fans to take advantage of the nice weather forecast and get out to a rodeo this weekend, something Rocky Pro Rodeo Chairman Greg Ritz agrees with.
“We’re having great weather so far this year and we’re not having any rain,” Ritz says. “And, we’ve got acres of free camping right along the river. It’s going to be a great weekend.”
The 37th annual Rocky Pro Rodeo kicks off Friday at 7 p.m. at the new North Saskatchewan River Park and Ritz is looking forward to taking in all the major rodeo events, as well as a little team roping, boys steer riding and wild cow milking all three days.
Celebrating 49 years this year, the Brooks Kinsmen Pro Rodeo takes place June 5 to 6 at the Kinsmen rodeo grounds.
“And we’ve got new bucking chutes,” nods Chris Deschner, Brooks Kinsmen Pro Rodeo Chairman.
“These ones are new and improved. Everybody should be happy now. It should be a lot easier to open the gates and let them out,” he laughs.
According to Deschner, the committee in Brooks have been upgrading the grounds over the past few years.
“We've been re-modeling our rodeo grounds for the last three years,” he confirms, agreeing the improvements may be part of the reason the rodeo has seen an influx in contestants this year. “We put new bleachers in one year. Last year, we put in new timed event panels and everything in the back, and this year we did the bucking chutes.”
In addition to the upgraded facilities, spectators can also look forward to seeing the Crazy Cowgirl trick riders and Bert Davis, The Coppertown Clown.
“It’s a show for the whole family,” Deschner emphasizes, “and, of course, everybody’s going to like the cowboys.”
For more details, including performance times, please visit www.rodeocanada.com, or pick up the latest issue of Canadian Rodeo News.
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