Millarville Rodeo A Rollicking Ride

(Page 4)
By Todd Curran
Although the Millarville Rodeo was originally scheduled for May, a snowstorm postponed the event until the August 6th weekend. It was worth the wait.
The Rodeo is part of the Foothills Cowboy Association circuit and boasts bull riding, bareback and saddle bronc, in addition to timed events including tie-down roping, barrel racing and steer wrestling. Competitors displayed a variety of experience, from seasoned roughnecks to a young barrel racing cowgirl not much bigger than my beer cup.
Former Chair of the Millarville Rodeo Rob Bergevin returned to his old stomping grounds as an announcer working alongside the inciting voice of the Calgary Stampede, Dave Poulsen. The pair spewed hilarious and entertaining commentary and should take their act on the road. I must have been sitting next to one of the comedian's daughter, who kept yelling, “HI DADDY!” at the booth.
Always a fan favourite, they went wilder than the livestock over the wild horse race, but my personal favourite was the shooting competition. The Canadian Cowboy Mounted Shooters competed for a $1,000 prize using .45 Colt revolvers designed prior to 1898. Racing against the clock on horseback, navigating a course with barrels and balloon targets, competitors were challenged to rocket through and accurately shoot all targets or face a 5 second penalty for their misses.
The guns are authentic, but shoot thunderous blanks rather than live ammunition to pop the balloon targets; otherwise the fans would have more holes in them than the wall around Ronnie Milsap's dartboard. When the dust settled and the smoke cleared, prize money went to Jim MacIntyre & Stew Erickson for the first stage and Gail Cook & Lee Stuckey for the second stage.
Another welcome addition to the Rodeo this year was Dave Shields, chute boss for the 2010 Calgary Stampede and owner of Ridin' High Rodeo School. With his son Davey Shields Jr. of DeWinton, four-time champion of the Calgary Stampede, Dave not only ensures a smooth rodeo as chute boss, but acts as a mentor to cowboys by offering them expert advice.
From the future rodeo stars to the mini doughnut car to the cash bar, Millarville Rodeo is a hootin', hollerin', helluva ride, so cowboy up and mosey on down for a gander next year.
For more information on the Millarville Rodeo visit www.millarvilleracetrack.com. For more information on the Canadian Cowboy Mounted Shooters visit:
www.canadianmountedshooters.com