Calf scramble winner happy to be 'in the running'

Carter and Jake Anderson

Toni Lucas - In a matter of minutes at the Pincher Creek Pro Rodeo on Saturday August 18th  the Anderson family won two bikes during the Windyview calf scramble. Eight-year-old Jake won in the 9 and under category, and 11-year-old Carter won in the ages 10-12 run. Both brothers were delighted with their bikes.

High School Rodeo says thank you

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High School Rodeo says "Thank you!"

to our many sponsors.  Your support helps make this a great event, every year!

Bulls: Big Chief Bucking Bulls

Cutting Cattle: Allan Lively

Goats: Sarah Kirby Goats

Working Cow Horse Cattle: Dewald Livestock

Pincher Creek Co-Op

MD & Town of Pincher Creek

Jenkins Lazy U

Glen West Express

SALE -Southern Alberta Livestock Exchange

Dewald Livestock

Pickard Performance Horses

Westcastle Motors

Castle Ford

Rocky Mountain Mechanical

Credit Union

Sinnott Insurance & Financial Solutions

Grassy Butte Ranch

Bar Nine 0 Ranch: Hay for Stock

DJ Equipment Rentals: Lights for arena

Triple T Energy: Water for arena

2017 Pincher Creek High School Rodeo

Pincher Creek High School Rodeo Club

Back L-R Martyna Lively, Sarah Kirby, Alisha Stevenson, Jackson Brathwaite, Kassi Wells, Ben Mitchell, Nelz Vance

Front L-R Danielle Hann, Hailey Grove, Waci Thomson, Morgan Dingreville, Ryatt Thomson.

Cathy Mitchell photo

Toni Lucas - Alberta High School Rodeo District 1 held the 2017 Pincher Creek Rodeo at the Pincher Creek Agricultural Grounds on September 8 to 10. This is the second high school rodeo of the season for this group and the first year the junior high students have joined the senior high students, There were 80 high school students, and *40 junior high participants, coming from all over southern Alberta. They all demonstrated grace under pressure, particularly with having to deal with smoke affecting their animals.

*corrected for accuracy

Altie Rutledge winner Jackson Braithwaite with Pincher Creek Rodeo Club Student President, Alisha Stevenson

Cathy Mitchell photo

Piikani Youth Rodeo roundup

Toni Lucas - The Piikani Youth Rodeo wrapped up its last run of the summer on Wednesday, August 30.  This incarnation of the Brocket Youth Rodeo started in 2013. as a way of getting kids together to learn new skills and develop self esteem. The event is sponsored by Aakom-Kiyii Health Services, which provides a number of vital outreach programs for Piikani Nation youth. Every Wednesday evening through the summer kids from all over the region have gathered at Brocket's Crowlodge Rodeo Arena where they can have an opportunity to learn and practice their skills in various events, including basic horsemanship, barrel racing, pole bending, calf riding, mutton busting, bull riding and more.

2017 Pincher Creek Pro Rodeo

Chris Davis - The Canadian Professional Rodeo Association (CPRA) came to town August 17-20 for the annual Pincher Creek Rodeo.  The event was very well attended, possibly setting a record, and the weather co-operated throughout as contestants vied for a spot in the Canadian Finals Rodeo, to be held  November 8-12.

Related stories:

• Mutton Busting at the 2017 Pincher Creek Pro Rodeo
• Volunteers spruced up Pincher Creek ahead of rodeo weekend
• 2017 Pincher Creek Parade

Pincher Creek cowgirls with sponsor flags

Mutton Busting at the 2017 Pincher Creek Pro Rodeo

Mutton Busters at the 2017 Pincher Creek Pro Rodeo

C. Davis - Every year the Pincher Creek Pro Rodeo hosts several events that are very important to the continuance and growth of rodeo in southern Alberta. Kids come from all over the province and parts unknown to try their hand at several exciting challenges in front of large and enthusiastic crowds. 25 pre-registered cowboys and cowgirls between the ages of 3 and 6 participated in the always popular Mutton Busting event on Sunday afternoon August 21. Approximately 20 sheep were provided, and each bravely took a turn riding one, trying to hold on for 8. All of the kids were winners, and accordingly all were awarded prizes, a box of smarties and a commemorative baseball hat. Some have a one-time adventure. Some come back for more, having tried it before. Some try it for the first time and get hooked on rodeo.  I'm relatively new, this being the seventh Pincher Creek Pro Rodeo I've attended, but I have already seen little kids turn into young men and women who compete at an international level.

2016 Pincher Creek High School Rodeo

Christian Davis, with notes from Catherine Mitchell and Toni Lucas - The 2016 Pincher Creek High School Rodeo was supposed to be a two-day event, but an overabundance of rain overnight and into the second day forced the cancellation of most of that day's events. The first day, Saturday September 10, was blessed with better weather, despite being overcast with fairly continuous high winds that created challenges for participants, organizers, and onlookers. Local results are near the end of this article.

Thank you from Pincher Creek Junior and High School Rodeo

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2016/17 Pincher Creek Rodeo Club

left to right: Jack Mitchell, Martyna Lively, Jackson Braithwaite, K's Thomson, Waci Thomson, Alisha Stevenson, Ben Mitchell, Hailey Grove, Chaz Vance, Nelz Vance, Sarah Kirby

Pincher Creek Junior and High School Rodeo would like to say thank you to the many people and partners who contribute to this event. Your time, sponsorship, and donations help this to be a smooth running and successful event.

Thank-you to our Sponsors:
Grassy Butte Ranch
DJ Equipment Rentals
Big Chief Bucking Bulls
2M2 Land & Cattle Co.
MD & Town of Pincher Creek
Sinnott Farm Services
McRae Holdings
Southern Alberta Livestock Auction
Canada Live
Lively Realty
Dewald Livestock
Back Country Butchering
Jenkins Lazy U Ranch
Stauffer Ranches
Bar Nine 0 Ranch
Pickard Performance Horses
Cross L Ranch

2016-2017 Altie Rutledge Award winner K's Thomson

Steve Rutledge and K's Thomson
Photo Courtesy of  Shandel Thomson

The 2016 Pincher Creek Junior and High School Rodeo was held at the Agricultural Grounds September 10 and 11 and had contestants from all over southern Alberta competing.  Pincher Creek area contestants were each eligible for a very special prize: the Altie Rutledge Memorial Trophy, which is given to the local high point contestant each year.  The award was earned this year by  K's Thomson  from Lundbreck, and was presented by Altie’s nephew Steve Rutledge.  Thomson has been an active participant in the Junior and High School Rodeo since he was in grade six and currently is attending Grade 12 at Livingstone School.  The trophy was created to honour the memory of Altie Rutledge, a lifelong rodeo volunteer, following his passing in 1989.  The award was given out for the first time at the 1990 Cowley-Lundbreck Rodeo.

Lundbreck cowboy Kyle Thomson retires from pro rodeo

Toni Lucas - Lundbreck area cowboy Kyle Thomson retired from the pro rodeo circuit after one final go at the Pincher Creek Pro Rodeo on Saturday, August 20.  Thomson addressed his hometown crowd with a brief statement, saying "This sport is about family.  There is only one reason to do it, and it ain't to get rich.  I'm not retiring, I'm quitting because I can't retire.   I love this sport, and it has given a lot to me."

2016 Pincher Creek Pro Rodeo

C.Davis/T.Lucas -  The Canadian Professional Rodeo Association's 2016 Pincher Creek Pro Rodeo was held last weekend, August 18-21. The weekend began with the opening of the beer gardens and team roping on Thursday evening.  A kids Gymkhana was held Friday morning, and Friday was Tough Enough to Wear Pink day as the rodeo kicked into high gear.  It was damp on Thursday but the skies cleared by  Friday and the three main days of the event were held under bright blue sunny skies, perfect rodeo weather.

Videos of the 2016 Pincher Creek Pro Rodeo

Spiderman Bronc Riding at the 2016 Pincher Creek Pro Rodeo

Cowboy sense...tingling...

Spiderman made an appearance at the 2016 Pincher Creek Pro Rodeo, demonstrating a winning approach to Bronc Riding that was suspiciously similar to that of Twin Butte's Call Marr. The above video is submitted for comparison. The mean streets of Twin Butte apparently have a new protector. Nuff said.

Early rodeo chronicles from Pincher Creek's ranching heritage

North West Mounted Police camp c late 1800s

photos from the Kootenai Brown Pioneer Village digital archives

Farley Wuth - Pincher Creek’s history is steeped in the chronicles of the ranching industry. Horse ranching dated back to the 1878 establishment of the N.W.M.P.’s Ranch on the south side of the Creek, and cattle ranching, originating in a combination of family and corporate enterprises, followed just a few short years later.

Nelz Vance represents Alberta at NJHFR finals

Nelz Vance

Christian Davis - Pincher Creek's Nelz Vance rose to the third place in Alberta for Junior High Rodeo Chute Dogging.  This is his first year competing in the event.  It earned him a 10 day trip to Lebanon Tennessee for the 68th annual National Junior High Finals Rodeo (NJHFR), held June 19-25 by the National High School Rodeo Association (NHSRA) .

Nelz Vance ranked third in Alberta for Jr. High Rodeo Chute Dogging, Finals in Tennessee next

Nelz Vance

Congratulations to Nelz Vance of Pincher Creek, who is ranked third in Alberta for Junior High Rodeo Chute Dogging. Nelz will be competing at the upcoming National Jr. High Rodeo Finals in Lebanon, Tennessee, to be held June 19 - 27.

2016 Calgary Stampede Indian Princess Vanessa Stiffarm visits Piikani Youth Rodeo

2016 Calgary Stampede Indian Princess Vanessa Stiffarm at Pincher Creek's Horseshoe Pavilion

Josh Davis

On Wednesday March 30 Calgary Stampede’s 2016 Indian Princess Vanessa Stiffarm came to Pincher Creek as a special guest at the Piikani Youth Rodeo. Stiffarm is a 25-year-old from the Blood Tribe, and Pincher Creek was just one of many speaking opportunities she’s had around the world. She spent the afternoon riding, and inspiring the youth in attendance. Even the brief rain shower wasn’t enough to dampen spirits. Stiffarms role as Indian Princess is to promote the Calgary Stampede, and Indian Village, as well as to attend pow wows and other events to promote First Nation culture.

Piikani Youth Rodeo continues to inspire

Josh Davis

Piikani Youth Rodeo’s winter season is going into its final week. Over the past two Wednesdays, March 23 and March 30, I witnessed the talent, camaraderie, and horsemanship of local youth, and listened to the words of wisdom offered by mentors in the aboriginal community. The Piikani Youth Rodeo is a local rodeo open to anyone between the ages of 5 and 21. Over 30 youth participated each week, on top of the tireless efforts of organizers, volunteers, and parents. Hosted at the Pincher Creek Agricultural Society's Horseshoe Pavilion and sponsored by the Aakom Kiyii Health Services Riding Program, each week of the rodeo featured talks with mentors. These mentors encouraged the youth to go for their dreams, and offered insight into possible.

Daxz Vance holding on for 8 - submitted video

Piikani Youth Rodeo returns for 2016 season

Josh Davis

The Piikani Youth Rodeo is running on Wednesdays for the winter. On Wednesday, February 24 the Rodeo gave area youth an opportunity to ride horses and steers. The Piikani Youth Rodeo is open to anyone between the ages of 4 and 25, regardless of race, sex, or creed. The events for the winter rodeo include Pole Bending, Barrel Racing, Horsemanship, and Steer Riding. The next one is scheduled for Wednesday, March 9, 4-7 pm, again at the Pincher Creek Agricultural Society's Horseshoe Pavilion. The Rodeo sponsored by the Aakom Kiyii Health Services Riding Program.

2015 Pincher Creek High School Rodeo

Voice staff

Related stories:

• Videos from the 2015 Pincher Creek High School Rodeo
• 2015 Altie Rutledge Award recipient Jack Mitchell

Alberta High School Rodeo District 1 held a two day rodeo in Pincher Creek on Saturday and Sunday , September 12 and 13. The weather was sunny and warm on Saturday, with cloud cover on Sunday. The days were filled with high school aged contestants competing in the categories of Poles, Saddle Bronc, Breakaway, Tie Down Roping, Bull Riding, Team Roping, Goat Tying, Steer Wrestling, Barrel Racing, and Cutting.