After circling the ring in the gleaming white vis a vis carriage, Lindsay White is honoured with the Gerry Holmes volunteer award, Friday, Aug. 18 presented by Sky Brown, on behalf of the Virden rodeo committee.
Everett More is honoured as the inductee into the Horseman’s Hall of Fame, presented by Western Chair of VIR&WWD Lonnie Brown. The vis a vis this weekend was drawn by a team of black percherons owned by the Strains - Silver Oak Percherons – and driven by Ethan strain.
Kevin Dunham of Souris has just caught his calf; he will finish the tie down in 9.1 seconds to top the Tie Down roping event at Virden Indoor Rodeo, in Sunday’s shoot-out round, Aug. 20.
Father and young teen-aged son, winners of the team roping event are pleased with their win as they carry off the spoil.
High Point saddle presented to McCreary, MB cowboy Duane Caumartin by Valleyview Co-op David Wowk, Sunday, Aug. 20.
Fast paced rodeo action, well-deserved, and in some cases unexpected wins in the Sunday shoot-out round, almost un-rideable bucking bulls and super crowds on Friday and Saturday characterized this year’s Virden Indoor Rodeo. Organizers were very happy with the crowd count.
Western Chair of Virden Indoor Rodeo & Wild West Daze (VIR&WWD) Lonnie Brown stated, “As the weekend went along, we got a little better at hitting our cues and keeping it moving.”
Virden Indoor Rodeo’s three evening performances and daytime slack brought rodeo competitors from across the prairies, a few hailing from the USA and even an Aussie or two. But it was hometown, local area cowboys and cowgirls that brought the crowd to a roar.
Ladies indoor barrel racing had some fast times of some 13 plus seconds.
Junior steer riders showed remarkable know-how for youngsters 15 and under.
And, one young mutton buster road her sheep clear across the arena.
During the Saturday night performance, Rick and Paddy White were presented with the Canadian Cowboys Association gold card honourary membership. The presentation was made by CCA director Jim Lawrence of Prime Time Rodeo Stock.
This year was also a milestone for Prime Time Rodeo, celebrating their 20th year in business.
An exciting win in team roping saw a father and his young teenage son take home the award Sunday night. Brown said, “In the team roping it was pretty cool to see that father and son team –that young kid. He roped two good steers.”
Local cowboys Shane Brown and Ory Brown came close in that event, but finished fourth overall.
Another unexpected event win was in tie-down roping, where a seasoned Souris cowboy, Kevin Dunham caught and tied his calf in 9.1 seconds in Sunday evening’s shoot-out round.
Shane Brown was on the road to winning the high point saddle, missing that honour by a split second. He came in third in calf roping with 10 points when he needed 15 points in that event, to win High Point.
High Point saddle was presented to a very pleased Duane Caumartin, a McCreary, MB cowboy.
The most successful cowboy competing in three events, in both ends of the arena – rough stock and timed events - was Chanse Switzer of Hazenmore, SK.
“He was the only bull rider to ride all weekend, and he won money in the team roping,” explained Brown. Switzer began his rodeo career as a junior bull rider and he was able to stick on Prime Time Rodeo’s rough bucking bulls this weekend.
The VIP banquet on Friday evening is something extra, where the Virden rodeo committee makes the sponsors and volunteers feel special. Families, including children can attend together.
“Yes, you don’t see that everywhere,” stated Brown. “To have everybody all sit together, it’s something that’s very unique to our event. From a sponsorship perspective, there are lots of people in that room that want to rub shoulders with other business people.”
At the VIP Banquet, President of Virden Indoor Rodeo & Wild West Daze Dr. Everett More said, “We don’t do this without the volunteers and the sponsors. We appreciate every one of you.”
The final tally is not taken but More said, “By all accounts this rodeo is at least as successful as last year’s.”
