It may not be the Calgary stampede, but Virden brings a slew of cowboys and cowgirls to compete over the three-day weekend of rodeo action. Western Committee Chair Lonnie Brown said the committee was “very excited about the weekend.”
While the main feature was the MRCA and CCA sanctioned Virden Indoor Rodeo (VIR), with evening performances Friday, Saturday and Sunday, in Tundra Oil & Gas Place, there's rodeo action running almost non-stop.
Rodeo is a rough sport and there were two incidents that EMS responders attended to. Friday evening a Jr. Steer rider lay in the arena dirt, stunned by a collision with his ride. On Sunday evening a cowboy was stepped on. Brown said neither injuries were serious.
Each evening during opening ceremonies dignitaries and sponsors had their moment in the spotlight welcoming fans from the back of a beautiful half-ton, supplied by each of Virden’s car dealerships.
Saturday evening the white vis-à-vis drawn by a team owned/driven by Bob Schroeder, brought special guests into the arena. The Gerry Homes Memorial volunteer award was presented to Lyle Brown. VIR Horseman’s Hall of Fame award was presented to Grant and Kim Gee.
The rodeo evenings are colourful events with young riders galloping around the arena carrying the sponsor flags. Friday and Sunday evenings there were young (6 & U) mutton busters.
MORE EVENTS
Other events included High School Rodeo Friday morning in TOGP.
Manitoba Calf Ropers Unlimited – Qualifier Jackpot ran Saturday and Sunday mornings. Rodeo Slack competition started before noon Saturday.
3-D Barrel Racing ran in the outdoor ring on Saturday and Sunday with over 130 competitors on Saturday, for the open, youth and select categories.
