Just under 2,600 spectators made their way to the rodeo grounds this past weekend to take in some wild west entertainment as cowboys climbed up on the backs of bulls and bucking broncs as part of the 25th Bonnyville Pro Rodeo.
Corey Styba, Bonnyville Pro Rodeo and Chuckwagon Association (BPRCA) vice president, said the event was a perfect way to mark the rodeo's 25th anniversary.
“It went excellent,” he said. “The best performances we've had as far as the turnouts and as far as the rodeo stock and the rides – it was the best we've had. For the 25th anniversary, the amount of contestants and the quality of contestants that came out this year were amazing.”
The rodeo went smoothly, with just under 400 contestants entering the three-day event, all of them managing to escape without major injury, he added.
This year's rodeo brought a few new features to the event including Friday's slack performance to accommodate all the contestants and live music after Friday's rodeo performance. 2011 CPRA Entertainer of the Year Denis Halsted and 2011 CPRA Announcer of the Year Brett Gardiner were on hand, keeping the crowd informed and laughing during the weekend's events.
Two 25-year sponsors, Sobeys and B&R Eckel's, were honoured Sunday afternoon for supporting the rodeo during its 25-year run.
“We can't thank our sponsors enough,” said Styba. “Without them, Bonnyville Rodeo wouldn't have been here for 25 years. With their continued support, we hope to provide Bonnyville with a rodeo for years to come.”
First: Tyler Pankewitz, 85.5 points
Second: Beau Hill, 83 points
Third: Tyler Willis, 82.5 points
First: Justin Randle and Caleb Bennett, tied with 85 points
Second: JR Verzain, 80.5 points
Third: Chris Harris, 79.5 points
First: Kyreon Geiger, 81.5 points
Second: Justin Neston, 79.5 points
Third: Jim Berry, 79 points
First: Jacob Stemo, 75 points
Second: Ryley Gilbertson, 73 points
Third: Tanner Young, 66.5 points
First: Cole Neely, 74.5 points
Second: Layton Green, 71.5 points
Third: Austin Vanderlee, 65 points
First: Nancy Csabay, 16.367 seconds
Second: Cranna Roberts, 16.408 seconds
Third: Rhonda McLeod, 16.425 seconds
First: Todd Woodward and Chason Floyd, tied at 5.0 seconds
Second: Dustin Walker, 5.2 seconds
First: Shane Hanchey, 9.3 seconds
Second: Rhen Richard: 9.4 seconds
Third: Ky Marshall, 9.5 seconds
First: Levi Simpson and John Robertson, 4.6 seconds
Second: Braidy Davies and Trent Tunke, 5.4 seconds
Third: Wyatt Eirikson and Stacy Cornet, 5.5 seconds
