The Hand Hills, Alberta professional rodeo proclaims itself the "Oldest Consecutively Held Rodeo in Canada" and I was on hand for the 84th annual edition last weekend.
It's a rodeo rooted in western history and this year's edition
thrilled another generation of fans. Unlike its big city, big budget
counterparts, there are no security people pushing rapt spectators back
from a better viewing position. No one barred access to cowboys and
stock. No covered grandstands for shelter. No advertising
campaign besides this year's new website. No brand new western
wardrobes...
Because the folks out here live The West every single day.
Hand Hills Lake, site of the rodeo grounds, is about 25 miles East of Drumheller, over dusty graveled roads surrounded by ranchland and pumping stations. The weathered wooden bleachers, buildings and fencing have seen thousands of cowboys and stock perform since J.J. Miller's first Red Cross fundraiser in 1917.
Similar to most small town rodeos throughout Brazil, Canada, Australia, and the United States, this rodeo continues to rely on the efforts of volunteer ranchers and farmers from surrounding areas to raise prize money. Part of the entry fee paid by each contestant is added to the base amount so that the more competitors, the higher the payout.
This mid-season rodeo is so popular, Vice President, Blake Morton said, "We go from a population of zero to two-thousand a day." To handle the influx of athletes and audience, Hand Hills offered visitors the use of an adjacent campground, indoor washroom facilities, a small, wood-frame, church, canteen, and obligatory "cowboy socials" over 3 nights.
"This in my 34th in a row," Morton said, "and I'm 34 now so I was a month old when I came to the rodeo for the first time. I'm the fourth generation to work on this land and volunteer for the rodeo."
Some of Canada's top pro riders were on hand for the weekend such as, Rookie of the Year, bull rider, Luke Ellingson, perennial barrel racing greats Debbie Renger, Rayel Robinson, Frances Hargrave and Cheryl Daines. Yes, it was a star-studded, up close and personal, small town rodeo.
"That's how we wanted to promote it," Morton told me,
"Up close and personal. We wanted a rodeo where people could get
right up to the fence and this year's has been a great success."
-Story & Photos By Bill Clarke
Resources
Hand Hills, Alberta Website
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