In anticipation of the summer season, the dirt will be flying again at Flying Cross Ranch during the summer ranch rodeo series.
The local competitive ranch rodeo series, held just minutes north of Lacombe off Milton Road, allows competitors to get a taste of rodeo and participate in events, like barrel racing and team roping, who may not otherwise be eligible to compete in other professional or local rodeos.
“We started the series for beginners, mainly for the people who take lessons,” said Flying Cross Ranch Owner/Operator Roy Sturgeon.
The summer series is designed for those with less rodeo experience and does have some structural differences and adaptations for each event to make it accessible to each and every competitor.
Events featured in the summer rodeo series include cow riding, team roping, chute dogging, steer daubing, cattle penning, barrel racing, goat tail tying, pole bending and goat roping jackpot.
Last summer, Flying Cross Ranch hosted their very first summer ranch series and just a few months ago, also hosted a competitive rodeo series over the winter months. Riding off the success of the winter ranch series, Sturgeon hopes to grow the summer ranch rodeo series by opening up the events to anyone of any age.
“We have competitors from six-years-old to 60-years-old,” he said. “It’s a very big event when it’s all said and done.”
Sturgeon said the summer rodeo series is very much a family event, with all members of the family competing in events, from dad roping to young children trying their hand at goat tying.
Due to the location, the summer ranch rodeo series runs no matter the weather, with the flexibility of events being moved into the indoor riding arena if needed.
In order to be eligible for finals and year-end prizes, competitors must enter in four of the six scheduled rodeos.
The first rodeo of the series was held on April 11th, with around 45 competitors registered in events.
The second rodeo of the series will be held on May 9th at Flying Cross Ranch starting at 6 p.m.
Following series dates are set for June 30th, July 11th, Aug. 8th, Sept. 12th, with the finals set for Sept. 26th.
Admission is free to spectators, but there is a cost to register in events. Members of the public are encouraged to attend and cheer on the competitors.
For more information call 403-350-7368 or visit www.flyingcrossranch.com.
Standings from April 11th:
Barrel Racing
Senior
Aleshia Shaw- 16.44, Sahya Mckeinzo- 16.56, Taylor Shaw- 19.03, Cheri Connors- 14.19 + 5, Livia Mangin- 22.94, Amberly Venhuis- 23.62, Leah Mangin- 25.50 and Annika Mangin- 26.29
Junior
Kayle Schwerdt- 26.78, Sade Mckeinzo- 26.94, Kaycee Schwerdt- 27.32, Morgan Turney- 27.60, Addison Turney- 31.18 and Lily - 34.24
Pole Bending
Aleshia- 27.71, Sahya Mckeinzo- 30.88, Taylor Shaw- 31.56, Annika Mangin- 35.00, Livia Mangin- 35.85, Kaycee Schwerdt- 38.31, Sade Mckeinzo- 41.16, Kayle Schwerdt- 41.35, Addison Turney- 43.44 and Morgan Turney- 44.47
Team Roping
Heading
Roy Sturgeon- 4 points, James Connors- 2 points, Call Sturgeon- 2 points
Heeling
Roy Sturgeon- 1 Point
Chute Dogging
Call Sturgeon- 5.16, Ken Boniface- 14.32
Steer Daubing
James Connors- 2.4, Aleshia Shaw - 2.6
Team Penning
Chris Rumsey, Brianne Kantor, Lorne Hyvonen - 2.02, Aleshia Shaw, Taylor Shaw and Amberly Venhuis - 2.56
Cow Riding
Dylan Connors - 80
Goat Roping Jackpot
Heading - Roy Sturgeon
Heeling - Call Sturgeon
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