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First-ever Invitational Heritage Ranch Rodeo at Farmfair International

October 24, 2005

Edmonton, AB --- An all-new Invitational Heritage Ranch Rodeo at Farmfair International 2005 in Edmonton is mixing business with pleasure, with a nod to tradition.

This is the inaugural year for the Invitational Heritage Ranch Rodeo, a showcase event that brings 12 of Canada’s century-old ranches to Northlands Park to compete in a thrilling and challenging set of rodeo events inspired by the daily chores of ranch-hands. The ranch rodeo runs the evenings of Monday and Tuesday, November 7 and 8, at Northlands AgriCom Hall D in Edmonton.

“For this first year, and being a Centennial Year in Alberta and Saskatchewan, we felt it was appropriate to invite heritage ranches. We’re making this a free event this year, making it easy for anyone to come check it out and see what ranch rodeo is all about,” says David Fiddler, business unit manager for Agriculture at Northlands Park.

“These ranches are from all across western Canada. They represent our heritage and a tradition of families working together to handle the herds and work the ranch. You’ll see that tradition come alive in the arena as the ranch-hands compete in tests of skill,” says Fiddler.

Those events include Bronc Riding, Team Doctoring, Wild Cow Milking, Team Branding, a Wild Horse Race and Team Sorting.

“Working ranch rodeos are popular events held each year across Canada, but there’s no final championship round to work towards. We’d love to be that event. Hosting a national championship ranch rodeo would combine Northland Park’s mandate as an agricultural society with our other focus on great family entertainment. It’s a perfect fit,” says Fiddler.

“We’ve got the best facilities in western Canada, and we’re already the site for the Canadian Finals Rodeo and the Canadian College Finals Rodeo.”

Beyond the excitement and entertainment value of this rodeo, Fiddler says this ranch rodeo also offers an opportunity for these heritage ranches to showcase their pride in their long-standing businesses, and even their handed-down equipment.

“Many ranch-hands use antique saddles and equipment, or vintage clothes like chaps and bests. It’s incredible to see these ranch-hands in original bat-wing chaps, with a saddle circa 1900. Some are very theatrical, and we’re encouraging our riders to dress as ranchers would have a century ago. What a great way of preserving the working cowboy tradition,” Fiddler says.

The ranch rodeo is the centrepiece in a new entertainment and equine line-up designed to complement the big beef shows and sales at Canada’s premier purebred livestock show.

“Ranchers from across western Canada make an annual trek to Edmonton for Farmfair International to buy and sell purebred beef bloodlines. Beyond cattle, many of these ranchers work with horses in their daily chores. Including more diverse events within Farmfair International, makes our show more well-rounded, and adds value for everyone,” Fiddler says.

The Invitational Heritage Ranch Rodeo kicks off Monday, November 7, at 5 p.m in the UFA Show Hall at Northlands AgriCom. The final round runs Tuesday, November 8th, beginning of 7 p.m. For more information, click on farmfairinternational.com

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