By Kevin J. Sabo
For the Advance
The curtain has fallen on the 2019 edition of Lakeland Rodeo Association sanctioned Castor Rodeo.
The rodeo, which had been rescheduled from its earlier June date due to wet weather, took place over July 11th and 12th and saw competitors from around the province, and around the globe descend on Castor.
“Everything ran pretty smoothly,” said rodeo treasurer Helen Davidson.
“We were pleased with attendance, which was about the same as other years, and the weather was perfect.”
Around 200 spectators took in the event each night, and there were activities on the rodeo grounds for cowboys and cowgirls of all ages. Aside from the main rodeo events, Alberta Treasury Branch sponsored $65 for a cash sandpile at the grounds, and there was wild pony racing and mutton busting for youth at various times during each evening.
The main events consisted of usual rodeo fare, with a mix of bronc and bull riding, breakaway roping, and barrel racing. Armando DaVila of Red Willow won the Bob James Memorial Award for high point rough stock. Wayne and Chase Skocdopole of Big Valley won the Brett Oram Memorial Award for team roping. Finally, Gage Hollis took home the Edgar Bedson Memorial Award in Steer Riding.
Other winners included Allen Fletcher, who won Bareback with 71 points, Cody Lane, who took saddlebronc with 73.5 points, Bill Melany won tie-down roping with a time of 10 flat, Glen Allen Nash won the steer wrestling event with 6.6 seconds, Lyric Strzepek won the ladies’ barrel racing with a time of 17.079 seconds, Cole Cartwright won the novice horse event with 62.5 points, Aubrey Robb won the barrels event with a time of 17.217 seconds, Denim Ross won the Junior Breakaway event with a time of 1.5 seconds and Brittany Schuk and Madaline Schauer tied the ladies’ breakaway event with a time of 2.1 seconds.
Castor’s Rodeo has continued to draw a crowd for 42 years, with competitors coming from across western Canada. This year featured a pair of competitors from Australia and a competitor from New Zealand in addition to the home-grown talent.