Roping clinic a big success, more to follow

Toni Lucas, Pincher Creek Voice

Tate Warrior demonstrates
his roping prowess
T. Lucas photo

Ropes were flying at the Pincher Creek Horseshoe Pavilion on Friday evening, January 13.  The first day of roping clinics was well attended.  Looking around the crowded floor, you could guess that everyone had their own reasons for being there.

Jim Symens was there with his children, and got 'roped' into helping out the youngest crowd on the floor.  The  beleaguered blue bull  that those young kids used for practice stood still and took it like a champ.

Jesse Newman teaching roping fundamentals to
Ben Schwartz and Janet Barkwith
T. Lucas photo

Jesse Newman helped out, showing Janet Barkwith and Ben Schwartz some of the fundamentals.  Although both had done a little roping before, they wanted to improve their skills.  Schwartz, who works at Nelson Creek Ranch just south of Chain Lakes, said "I can throw well enough to get a calf that is stuck in the mud out."  He is working on improving to the point that moving targets are not such a challenge.  Barkwith is fulfilling a dream held since she was a young girl in southwest England, watching westerns on tv.

Instructor Chelsea Stokke
T. Lucas photo

Tate Warrior has been roping since he was 5 years old, so has four years of practice under his belt.  A young man with a mission, he confided that he has areas to work on.  "I want to improve on feeding my rope."  Little Miss Rodeo Pincher Creek Chelsea Stokke was instructing him and sharing her knowledge.  "I like teaching, and really love being with people," she said.  "It also gives me a chance to practice."  She seemed to be truly enjoying herself while working with her group.    She was also ready to pick up tips and advice from others.

Teenagers Megan McGlynn, Janet Taylor,  and Naomi Paridaen are all members of 4-H Silver Reins.  They showed that you could have some fun while improving on your skills, teaching each other roping games that they had learned.  Tomfoolery was not allowed to get out of hand, but if you can't have a little horseplay in a corral, where can you?

Megan McGlynn, Janet Taylor, and Naomi Paridaen
T. Lucas photo

Joyce Taylor and Jennifer Jones

President of the Pincher Creek and District Agricultural Society Janet Watmough was on hand, moving from group to group.  "I heard a lot of people express an interest in learning to rope over the years, so we thought we would try this clinic."  Looking around the room, it was obviously a successful venture.  "I think the youngest here today is four years old, up to retired people.  Boys, girls, men and women.  It seems that it's got appeal across the board,"  she said.  Even if a person missed the action this time out, they are still welcome to come to the upcoming clinics.  "It takes a lot of practice.  It will be a while before we move on from stationary targets," Watmough said.

Young hands learning the ropes
T. Lucas photo

It appears that when it comes to roping, the Ag Society team has supplied the 'what, when and where'  of the five W's.  'Who' are those that come, and the 'why' seems to be as individual as the people there.

C. Davis photo

Classes will be held every other Friday. The next class will be held on  Friday, January 27.  Other classes are scheduled for February 10 and  February 24.  Classes will also run during March, April and May.
Ages 6 and under get in free, ages 7 to 18 costs $2.50, ages 19 and up costs $5.00.

For more information contact Janet Watmough at 403-627-4408