3 minute read
Entertaining Fall Fun Ranch Scramble & Rodeo
Entertaining Fall Fun Ranch Scramble & Rodeo
Michelle Pinon - News Advertiser
The Hairy Hill Rodeo Grounds was the site of the Fall Fun Ranch Scramble & Rodeo on Sept. 5 and 6. The entertaining two day event featured local teams as well as teams from as far away as Cold Lake and Barrhead.
The exciting event was organized by Niki Schieck, her husband Scott Schieck, Ron Baxter and Jacob Groening. Niki explained, “Scott and myself have been talking about putting on a ranch rodeo in the area for a couple of years, and this year when we’ve been competing with Ron and Jacob, it got us thinking even more about doing one.
It wasn’t until the end of July that we all sat down and had a meeting to talk about things, trying to figure out if we wanted to do a ranch rodeo or ranch scramble, and then decided that if we put on a full weekend we could do both!”
Niki pointed out that, “Ranch rodeos are quite a bit different than your traditional rodeos. They are focused more on the working cowboy type of skills. A ranch rodeo is also generally slower paced. A ranch scramble is kind of in between; you have those traditional components, but it is very fast paced; hitting those people who are thrill seekers and speed demons.” She added that a ranch scramble is best described as: “Cowboys, cattle and chaos.”
In the ranch scramble, four member teams have six minutes to complete two sorting and two roping events where as ranch rodeo, competitors have to walk or jog their horses. If their horses lope they are penalized as a result. The cowboys also use different kinds of ropes and loops. “So, there’s a lot of technique involved.”
Whether it’s the ranch scramble or ranch rodeo, no two runs are ever the same, added Niki.
Ranch scramble winning team was ‘Make A Wish’ and the winning team of the ranch rodeo was SB Cattle Company.
Based on what organizers heard from both competitors, spectators and other people; the event was very well received and they are excited about the idea of turning it into an annual event. Scott said, “We really did have an excellent weekend. Between the weather and the support of the contestants and spectators, we could not have asked for a better first year. We are looking forward to seeing everyone next year.”
