2014 Pincher Creek High School Rodeo

Pincher Creek Rodeo Club

Chelby Glen, Robyn Lively, Abby Zur, Jack Mitchell, K's Thomson, Cooper Zur, Sam Mitchell, Ben Mitchell, Britnie Zur, Haxstyn Peters. Missing Martyna Lively, Chet Root

Catherine Mitchell photo

Chris Davis and Toni Lucas

Pincher Creek's 2014 High School Rodeo (HSR) was held Saturday, September 13, and Sunday September 14. The heavy accumulation of snow earlier in the week and subsequent melt had volunteers scrambling and making a trench on Friday to drain out the arena ahead of the event. Summer returned for the smoothly running event.  It's one of the best rodeo experiences of the year, every year, and this year was no exception.

John Mitchell is the President of the Pincher Creek High School Rodeo in District 1. Three of his boys were heavily involved in the rodeo, and one was busy playing on the sand pile. Sam and Jack were participating and helping out, Ben was volunteering, and Edward stayed closer to mom, Cathy Mitchell.  Starting with the school season, this is the third High School Rodeo for District 1. "They have been at Nanton for two weekends," then there was Pincher Creek, "Then Cardston in a couple of weeks."

Calf ropers Logan Biever and Robyn Lively

"It teaches them how to talk to, and relate to adults, and they have a good scholarship program in place, and it shows commitment and discipline," Mitchell explained. It's something that they can take into life with them. They can enjoy this as long as they are alive, too. It's great for families. We get to spend a lot of time together."

"I think it is also a good economic boost to the area. These families come and stay here for a couple of nights. They camp here, shop here, take in the movie theatre, and the local businesses. They buy gas, and groceries, and dinners while they are here. It is something that gets done for free, and brings all this activity to the area."

Haxstyn Peters and Guy

"If it wasn't for the volunteers, it wouldn't happen, period. The majority of them are alumni, or parents of alumni. We have got ex Canadian Champions here, former professionals that have gotten their children invloved, and they will take any kid under their wing, not just their own."

Raelyn Rutledge presents 2014 Altie Rutledge Award to Robyn Lively (click here for story).

"I knew Altie, and he was a real character. I think he would love this. Great family, and great western tradition in the Rutledge family. Steve today has mentored, I think all of the bulldoggers. He has practice sessions out at his place, and those kids go out there to practice, so he has helped them all. The Rutledge family is a real important part of the western culture around the area."

Jack Mitchell wrestling a steer

Mitchell explained that they needed 2.5 head for each participant for the cutting. "I'll bring in 88 head. Each gets two cuts. we try to have it in town, so that kids that haven't seen it or been exposed to it can experience it." He said that Nanton and Pincher Creek are the only High School Rodeos in the district that have cutting. "The other rodeos don't seem to have the resources to generate it."

Lundbreck Bull Rider K's Thomson
Anne Molnar photo

"It is very egalitarian. The girls have half the events, and the boys have half the events, and there are some co-ed events."

Abby and Britnie Zur

Britnie and Abby Zur
Anne Molnar photo

Britnie, Abby, and fellow triplet Cooper Zur celebrated their birthday.  It was good to see Cooper out and about after the bad wreck with a bull that cost him some parts.  He was also spotted cheering on the Sabres at a volleyball game early in the week.   He's recovering well, back home,  and in good spirits after a two and a half week stay in a Calgary hospital.

Cooper was having a very promising season, his last in High School Rodeo.  For example, in October last year he won Next Generation Junior Bull Riding in Vermilion, earning over $3,300 and a buckle.  He was poised to build on years of dogged determinedness when a bull ride at the Airdrie High School Rodeo went wrong, costing him a spleen and half a pancreas  Cooper's dad hopes he's given up on the pursuit, Cooper vows to continue.  Either way, he's got some healing to do.  You gave us all a scare, Cooper!

Cooper with friends at a volleyball game this week

Hello ladies!  Dawn Heerschap and Anne Molnar staked out a spot early and stayed for the whole show

Local Events Leaders from recent unofficial Alberta High School Rodeo stats for District 1:

Robyn Lively, Pincher Creek

All Around Leader, District 1 Girls

#2 Barrels

#2 Cutting

#4 Poles

#8 Team Roping Header

Jack Mitchell, Twin Butte

#1 Steer Wrestler

#5 Team Roping Heeler

Abby Zur, Lundbreck

#6 Barrels

#10 Poles

Unofficial 2014 Pincher Creek High School Rodeo results:

Pole Bending Day 1

Robyn Lively Pincher Creek 10 points

Karlene Weltz Fort Steele 9 points

Ashley Nelson High River 8 points

Kelby Keeley Claresholm 7 points

Pole Bending Day 2

Abby Zur Lundbreck 10 points

Makayla Boisjoli 9 points

Alisha Stevenson 8 points

Shelby Poole 7 points

Barrel Racing Day 1

Robyn Lively Pincher Creek 10 points

Emily Pugsley Calgary 9 points

Jenna Dallyn Nanton 8 points

Ashley Nelson High River 7 points

Abby Zur Lundbreck 6 points

Barrel Racing Day 2

Ashley Nelson High River 10 points

Abby Zur Lundbreck 9 points

Kelbey Keeley Claresholm 8 points

Jenna Dallyn Nanton 7 points

Saddle Bronc Day 1

Jake Burwash Nanton 10 points

Sam Mitchell Twin Butte 9 points

Saddle Bronc Day 2

Nolan Jans Maple Creek 10 points

Jake Burwash Nanton 9 points

Sam Mitchell Twin Butte 8 points

Wilson MacDonald Millarville 7 points

Jake Burwash

Team Roping Day 1

Taylor Hays and Jake Burwash Nanton/Nanton 10 points

Colt Cornet and Sawyer Erickson Brant/Okotoks 9 points

Makayla Boisjoli and Shelby Boisjoli Calgary/Calgary 8 points

Hayze Stevens and Rayna Longeway Stathmore/Calgary 7 points

Team Roping Day 2

Hayze Stevens and Rayna Longeway Strathmore/Calgary 10 points

Colt Cornet and Sawyer Erickson Brant/Okotoks 9 points

Makayla Boisjoli and Shelby Boisjoli Calgary/Calgary 8 points

Tyler Trotter and Eddie Longeway Black Diamond/Calgary 7 points

Breakaway Day 1

Shaya Biever Clareshom 10 points

Shelby Boisjoli Clagary 9 points

Rayna Longeway Calgary 8 points

Simone Park Creston 7 points

Breakaway Day 2

Caitlin Park Creston 10 points

Ashley Nelson High River 9 points

Fallon Nelson High River 8 points

Jenna Dallyn Nanton 7 points

Calf Roping Day 1

Colt Cornet Okotoks 10 points

Stan Schlosser Nanton 9 points

Jake Burwash Nanton 8 points

Tanner Kelley Sundre 7 points

Calf Roping Day 2 

Eddie Longeway Calgary 10 points

John Penner Claresholm 9 points

Lochlan Christianson Nanton 7 points

Stran Schlosser Nanton 7 points

K's Thomson

Bull Riding 

Ron Hunt No score

K's Thomson Pincher Creek No score

Steer Wrestling Day 1

Riley Westhaver Okotoks 10 points

Jack Mitchell Twin Butte 9 points

Steer Wrestling Day 2 

Taylor Hays Claresholm 10 points

Jack Mitchell Twin Butte 9 points

Goat Tying Day 1

Jenna Dallyn Nanton 10 points

Shelby Boisjoli Calgary 9 points

Karlene Weltz Fort Steele 8 points

Emily Pugsly Calgary 7 Points

Goat Tying Day 2

Jenna Dallyn Nanton 10 points

Simone Park Creston 8.5 points

Kelby Keeley Claresholm 8.5 points

Caitlin Park Creston 7 points

Cutting Girls Day 1 

Robyn Lively Pincher Creek 10 points

Nicole Tremblay Cayley 9 points

Raelene Paradis Nanton 8 points

Shelby Boisjoli Calgary 7 points

Cutting Girls Day 2

Robyn Lively Pincher Creek 10 points

Raelene Paradis Nanton 9 points

Rayna Longeway Calgary 8 points

Shelby Boisjoli Calgary 7 points

Cutting Boys Day 1

Stran Schlosser Nanton 10 points

John Penner Claresholm 9 points

Lochlan Christianson Nanton 8 points

Logan Warren High River 7 points

Cutting Boys Day 2

Lochlan Christianson Nanton 10 points

Stran Schlosser Nanton 9 points

Logan Warren High River 8 points

John Penner Claresholm 7 points

 Britnie and Abby Zur

Anne Molnar photo