Strong stock for rodeo
Posted 1 month ago
Richard Saad
Standard Reporter
Heritage Days is known for its wealth of activities, sporting events, and the small-town charm it evokes annually.
The star of the four-day weekend, though, is the rodeo and the chuckwagons.
And this year, organizers say it has the potential to be better than ever.
The entries for this year's rodeo and chuckwagon races at Heritage Days is higher than in previous years, said Pascal Del Guercio, the rodeo and chuckwagon chairman of Heritage Days.
The competition promises to be a much more competitive event, considering that the prize money in total is in excess of $270,000, making the competition one of the most premiere rodeo events of the season.
"That's a huge payout for any rodeo and it's way above average," said Del Guercio, adding that the prestige of Strathmore's Heritage Days always seems to surprise people not familiar with it.
The fact is, Heritage Days is one of the most lucrative and important stops in any riders' season, said Del Guercio.
As of last week, Del Guercio said that there is six more saddlebronc riders registered this year than last year, and four more bareback riders as well.
This means that, on average, there was an increase of 10 per cent over last year's numbers.
Overall, there are more than 400 contestants competing in a variety of events, including the rodeo, chuckwagon, steer wrestling and calf roping, just to name a few.
Del Guercio said the size of the payout, which on average is the equivalent of three or four modest size rodeos, is one of the reasons the riders come from all across North America and the world to Strathmore every summer.
The event is a crucial stopping point for the riders on their way to qualifying for the National Championships in Las Vegas and for the Canadian Championships.
"There are a lot of American cowboys this year and the competition looks to be very good," said Del Guercio, who is in his 36th year as rodeo and chuckwagon chairman.
"We anticipate a much bigger turnout this year because we are one of the top weekend events out there. That's what attracts these guys to Strathmore every year."
A lot of the rodeo stock used comes from some of the best stock companies in North America, including some taken from the Calgary Stampede, said Guercio, adding that, "only the best stock is ever used for Heritage Days."
Rodeo stocks were provided by a variety of companies, all of who contribute some of the best bulls and horses on the planet for rodeo competitions.
In addition to the Calgary Stampede's stock, contractors also include Outlaw Buckers, Wayne Vold Rodeo and Northcott Rodeo.
The rodeo takes place on Thursday and Friday at 5 p.m. at the Rodeo Grounds and is followed by the chuckwagon competitions as well.
