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A cowboy competes beside a brown horse in a rodeo arena as spectators and rodeo personnel watch from behind the chutes.

Cowboys bring strong seasons home to Pincher Creek

Written on . Posted in Sports.

Pincher Creek will be cheering on six familiar names when the rodeo gets underway this weekend, with six area competitors entered across three days.

The Pincher Creek Pro Rodeo runs Aug. 13 to 16, with professional performances Friday at 6:30 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.

Friday — Riley Roy and Billy Potts

Pincher Creek’s Riley Roy and Brocket’s Billy Potts both compete in team roping during the Friday night performance.

Riley is roping with Garrett Brownlee of Moose Jaw, while Billy is paired with Jay Louise of Vernon.

Riley heads into his hometown rodeo 21st in the Canadian team roping header standings, with $11,472.13 earned through 40 rodeos as of Aug. 7.

It has been a steady season of collecting cheques rather than relying on one big payday, with a top placing of second paired with Brett Buss at Sundre.

Billy has also been busy on the rodeo trail this season, appearing at a number of CPRA stops. While he hasn’t cracked the top 30, the heeler has a chance at a payday close to home.

Saturday — Otys Little Mustache, Ridge Flundra and Kash Lievers

Saturday afternoon belongs to three more local cowboys.

Otys Little Mustache of Brocket is having a strong season on the Indian National Finals Rodeo trail, sitting 13th in the INFR Tour steer wrestling standings with $4,753.77. HIs biggest payday listed so far is $2,013.48 at Rocky Boy.

Ridge Flundra and Kash Lievers, both of Twin Butte, have spent much of the summer making their presence felt in junior steer riding.

Ridge sits fourth in Canada with $5,412.78 in season earnings as of Aug. 7. Only about $50 separated him from third place when the standings were posted. He has also climbed to the top of the C-Bar Buckers Junior Steer Riding Series.

Ridge has collected money consistently through the season, with wins at Airdrie and Williams Lake. The Airdrie win was an 80.5-point ride.

Kash was 17th in the Canadian steer riding standings with $1,432.33 as of Aug. 7, but that total is already out of date.

He added a 70-point winning ride after the standings were posted, tying for first and earning another $632.34. That brings his winnings over $2,000.

Sunday — Ben Mitchell

Ben Mitchell of Twin Butte gets the final local turn in front of the hometown crowd during Sunday’s performance.

He comes home 18th in the Canadian steer wrestling standings with $15,516.73 earned from 42 rodeos as of Aug. 7.

Steve Poltz in concert Sept. 15 at Fort Macleod Empress Theatre

Ben’s results come from a combination of speed and a busy summer on the road, including a 4.0-second run to share the win at Taber, another 4.0 at Lea Park and a 4.4-second victory at Bassano.

Lundbreck cowboys making noise elsewhere

Two local names won’t appear in the Pincher Creek draw this weekend, but their seasons deserve mention.

K’s Thomson is ninth in Canadian saddle bronc standings, with $29,586.16 earned through 25 rodeos.

His season includes an 87.5-point win at Wainwright and an 88-point second-place ride in Williams Lake.

K’s has also given bareback riding a go, earning $125.25 through two rodeos. It’s just something he does “every once in a while.”

Ryatt Thomson is making his own mark in novice saddle bronc, where he sits eighth in the Canadian novice standings as of Aug. 7, with earnings of $4,402.44.

His season includes wins at Wilwood and Sundre, with a season-best 78.5 ride at Wildwood.

Junior Steer Riding, Rodeo, Saddle Bronc, Steer Wrestling, Team Roping

A rodeo rider on horseback carries a large Canadian flag through the arena.

From grand entry to intermission flag riders step up their game

Written on . Posted in Sports.

When the Pincher Creek Pro Rodeo gets underway Friday evening, spectators will see a familiar group of riders charge into the arena with sponsor flags flying and horses at full speed.

Local cowgirls will once again take the reins for their traditional grand entry, performing choreographed moves on horseback while flying the flags of event sponsors to kick off each day of pro rodeo action from Aug. 14 to 16.

This year, the riders are adding another routine, returning during intermission each day for a second choreography and another chance to fly the sponsor flags.

“It’s great to just put it out there for all the new businesses and even just getting everyone involved in the rodeo,” says Brynn Grose, who organizes the team alongside Gray Bennett. “Being such a small town, it’s worth getting everyone recognized.”

Bennett is teaching from the ground this year while Grose remains in the saddle.

This year’s team consists of Brynn Grose, Delainy Grose, Emily Neufeld, Naoise Gelber, Kate Bennett, Ava Jessen, Ava Prout, Reata Herr, Bella Mackenzie, Faith Edwards and Romel Herr, who will once again carry the Canadian flag.

The grand entry routine features the riders moving through the arena in formation carrying sponsor flags, followed by individual sponsor recognition laps. The new intermission routine adds a second pattern and another set of flags.

The routines are set to music, with choreographed moves including circles, crossovers and other patterns. Different songs are planned for each of the six performances, with the music selections being kept under wraps until showtime.

Andrew Collins Trio at the Empress Theatre in Fort Macleod Sept. 18

While some elements carry over from last year, Grose says the team has incorporated new ones. The routines are meant to be an exciting spectacle but the team avoids overdoing it, as safety is a major consideration when working with horses and flags at such high speeds.

“Flags can definitely be quite a dangerous part of the rodeo,” she says. “As much as it can look fancy, we try to keep it simple.”

Putting the routines together takes considerable preparation, with Grose and Bennett starting to plan the following year’s performance only a few months after the previous rodeo wraps up.

Grose says the process includes arranging clothing and making sure every rider has what they need. This is no small task when it means finding matching shirts and jeans for the whole group.

The first practice for this year’s rodeo was held June 22, giving riders time to work through the routines and giving those with newer horses a chance to prepare their mounts for performing in front of a large crowd.

The group has continued practising in the weeks since, with extra sessions planned in the final days leading up to the rodeo.

That preparation extends beyond the organized practices, Grose says, with many riders spending considerable time working with their horses on their own to ensure they are physically and mentally prepared for the pace of the routines.

“I know a couple of the girls, including myself, put a lot of work into their horses outside of the grand entry itself,” Grose says. “It’s definitely not a place you can throw a brand new colt into.”

The riders’ responsibilities extend beyond their performances. They keep the action moving by assisting with livestock following roping events and filling in divots in the arena during barrel racing.

Lynn Lievers, who co-chairs the Pincher Creek Pro Rodeo organizing committee, says the local cowgirls have become an important part of the rodeo, through both their performances and the work they do across the weekend.

“It just kind of sets the tone for the rodeo, and it just kind of gets the crowd really ready,” she says. “I think that it just [gives] an added boost to our rodeo.”

“We are all volunteers, including those girls, and they put in a lot, so I hope that people appreciate everything that they’re bringing forward,” Lievers says.

For Grose, who began riding in flag routines at about 13 years old, performing for her hometown crowd has become a significant part of her personal rodeo experience.

“It’s just so fun to have all your family come and watch you in the rodeo,” she says. “It’s definitely a point where you get to have your own time to shine in the arena and show what you’ve been working on.”

Flag Riders, Rodeo

A construction worker on scaffolding

$2M curling rink deal moves ahead after councils compromise

Written on . Posted in Civic & Government, Sports.

For weeks, Pincher Creek’s two councils were stuck on a single question: whether the town should guarantee its new curling rink stays a curling rink for the next 40 years. This week, the MD dropped the demand.

The MD of Pincher Creek voted July 29 to abandon the condition — which the Town of Pincher Creek had refused two days earlier — clearing the way for up to $2 million in additional public funding and allowing construction to continue.

Broader questions about the building’s long-term future are left for future negotiations.

The sticking point

At the centre of the standoff was the MD’s proposed defined-purpose agreement, which would have required the rink to operate as a curling facility for up to 40 years. If that ever changed, the town would be on the hook to repay the MD’s funding on a sliding scale.

Town council rejected the agreement at its July 27 meeting, voting 4-2 to decline, with Couns. Mark Barber and Bernice Cyr opposed. Coun. Sahra Nodge was absent from this vote but arrived later in the meeting.

Town administration had already flagged problems with the MD’s draft, including inconsistent grant figures and a clause that could put the town in breach even in circumstances beyond its control, such as the club dropping retail or liquor sales.

Mayor Wayne Oliver compared the request to a 2018 agreement tied to the town’s early-learning centres, where the MD contributed $1 million in exchange for a similar use commitment. But he said this case is different because the town didn’t build the curling rink — the club did.

“By signing this agreement, we are committing to the longevity of curling in the community, with or without the curling club,” he said.

Steve Poltz in concert Sept. 15 at Fort Macleod Empress Theatre

Several councillors said they supported protecting the MD’s investment but questioned whether taxpayers should be responsible if the curling club were ever unable to continue operating the facility.

Councillors were split on how long a commitment made sense, with suggestions ranging from five to 20 years. Couns. Mark Barber and Bernice Cyr both said they were open to a shorter deal; Couns. Valerie Wynder and Gordon McMullen argued any binding term was too much to ask of future taxpayers.

MD drops condition

The MD of Pincher Creek called a special council meeting July 29 to revisit its funding terms. Council voted to rescind the motions it had passed July 14, which had made its additional $1-million contribution conditional on the town signing the defined-purpose agreement.

In its place, council approved a revised package requiring only that the Pincher Creek Curling Club sign an updated funding agreement with the MD. The new terms maintain the MD’s ability to recover its contribution under defined circumstances while dropping the requirement for the town to guarantee the building’s future use.

MD council also reauthorized an interim payment of $340,212 toward the project’s ninth progress payment, to be released once the club signs, from the community initiatives reserve.

What else the town decided

Along with rejecting the agreement, town council settled two other pieces of the curling file July 27.

It approved a revised lease with the curling club. This was a condition of its earlier commitment of up to $1 million, which council approved June 22 contingent on the MD matching the money and on lease changes formalizing the town’s ownership of the completed facility.

The club approved the revised lease on July 17.

Steve Poltz in concert Sept. 15 at Fort Macleod Empress Theatre

The updated version drops a clause requiring the town to consolidate the leased land at no cost and narrows the property description to a single address.

It passed 4-2, with Couns. Brian McGillivray and McMullen opposed. Coun. Nodge was also absent from this vote.

McGillivray said he still doesn’t have a clear total cost for the project.

“I want a line of sight on what we’re spending our money on and I want to know what it is,” he said.

The six councillors also voted unanimously to order a report reviewing how the curling project reached this point, covering council decisions dating back to January 2024. Some debated the terminology, with Cyr objecting to the word “post-mortem,” arguing it implied curling in the town was already finished.

The review will proceed internally unless it proves too costly, in which case council could consider hiring an outside reviewer.

Finally, Oliver proposed the town offer joint ownership of the building as an alternative, a model under which the MD could gain a say in the building’s future use without the town facing financial penalties if the club folded.

That motion passed unanimously, with Nodge joining by then, though councillors stressed it was only a starting point for talks.

Andrew Collins Trio at the Empress Theatre in Fort Macleod Sept. 18

How the project got here

The funding dispute follows months of public debate over a funding shortfall that emerged after construction was already underway — the latest chapter in a replacement-rink effort dating back more than a decade.

The Pincher Creek Curling Club first approached the MD in 2015 seeking support for a replacement rink, after the project was estimated at $3 million in 2011. It moved between proposed sites, survived a failed borrowing bylaw, and outlasted a task force that was later dissolved before construction finally began in October 2025.

By then, the budget had grown to $5.23 million, supported by $1.25 million from the town, $1 million from the MD, and a $1-million grant through the Community Facility Enhancement Program.

The gap emerged when the club’s application for a $1.5-million provincial Active Communities Initiative grant was declined in November 2025. By April 2026, club officials told both councils they were running out of money and needed up to $1.8 million in bridge financing while they reapplied.

The request sparked months of public debate over whether taxpayers should fund the half-built facility or risk leaving it unfinished. A mid-June information session drew about 130 residents from the town and MD, divided between support for curling’s role in the community and questions about how the shortfall happened.

Active Communities Initiative, Capital Projects, Community Facility Enhancement Program, Curling, Curling Rinks, Municipal Government, Public Funding

Graphic with the text "Municipal News from the MD of Pincher Creek" on the left side, featuring a stylized image of people seated around a meeting table on the right.

Curling rink gets MD funding boost, but strings attached

Written on . Posted in Civic & Government, Sports.

The unfinished walls of Pincher Creek’s new curling rink moved a step closer to completion last week, after the MD of Pincher Creek approved up to $1 million in additional funding. Council attached a series of conditions meant to protect taxpayers while construction continues.

Council’s decision follows public debate over whether municipal governments should commit more public money to a project that ran short of funds after construction was underway.

The funding will be released only after agreements are signed with the Pincher Creek Curling Club and the Town of Pincher Creek. Payments will be tied to construction progress, with provisions allowing the MD to recover its contribution if the club later secures provincial grant funding.

To ensure construction is not delayed while those agreements are finalized, council also authorized an instalment of $340,212 for the project’s next progress payment.

Deputy reeve Tony Bruder chaired the July 14 meeting in the absence of Reeve Rick Lemire. He says the instalment is intended to keep construction moving while the required agreements are completed.

The payment is part of the approved contribution of up to $1 million and is expected to be issued by the end of July.

Bruder says the MD will not provide the entire amount up front. Instead, funds will be released as construction bills are submitted, with the final total depending on what construction actually costs.

Funding tied to agreements

The MD’s approval includes several conditions before the full funding commitment proceeds.

Steve Poltz in concert Sept. 15 at Fort Macleod Empress Theatre

The first motion, which approves up to a maximum of $1 million, directs the funding to come from the Community Initiatives Reserve.

The curling club must sign a funding agreement with the MD. Under the agreement, payments will be provided in instalments and may be recoverable depending on the terms.

The MD also requires the Town of Pincher Creek to sign an agreement ensuring the building remains a curling facility for the life of the structure.

Only once both agreements are signed will the MD advance further money beyond the progress payment. That payment was carved out specifically so construction crews get paid regardless of how long the paperwork takes.

“We don’t want to hold up the process,” Bruder says. “In case all the agreements aren’t signed in time, that fourth motion makes sure that the next monthly instalment is covered. So the construction can carry on.”

Repayment tied to grants

The MD and curling club are still finalizing an agreement on repayment. Any provincial grant money the club secures would be used to repay the MD’s contribution, Bruder says.

The club has applied for a $1.5-million Active Communities Initiative grant after an earlier application was declined. Should that application succeed, the club has committed to repaying both the town and MD for their respective shares of the additional funding.

Dispute over ownership

The ownership issue has been a key difference between the town and MD throughout discussions.

During its June 22 meeting, town council approved up to $1 million in additional funding, but attached its own conditions. Those included amendments to the lease agreement to formalize town ownership of the facility before additional money is released.

Steve Poltz in concert Sept. 15 at Fort Macleod Empress Theatre

“From the start of all this, the MD has had the opinion that we want the curling club to own the building,” Bruder says. “We still have that opinion.”

However, because the building sits on town-owned land, he says the MD cannot prevent the town from establishing ownership.

“The town has unilaterally decided that they’re going to own the building. We don’t agree with it, but we can’t stop it because the town owns the land,” Bruder says. “I guess the MD just has to follow along with [what] the town wants.”

Council says project must be completed

Councillors expressed concerns about how the project reached its current financial position but Bruder says they did not want to see the partially completed facility abandoned.

“All of us councillors have discussed this with a lot of our ratepayers in our separate divisions. We’re all kind of disappointed that it got to this point,” he says. “We don’t want to leave a building half built and then put a fence around it and watch it just fall down.”

How the shortfall happened

Discussion of a new curling rink in Pincher Creek dates back more than a decade. The curling club first asked the MD to match town funding for a replacement facility in March 2015, when the project was estimated at $3 million.

In 2017, the town, MD and curling club shared the cost of a new ice plant, with the condition that it could be moved to a future facility.

In 2018, the club again requested municipal support for a new rink.

The proposal moved through multiple sites and stalled repeatedly over the following years. A $4-million borrowing bylaw failed in 2023, withdrawn after a petition opposed it, and a task force on the project was later dissolved.

A memorandum of understanding signed in June 2023 cleared the way for the club to build on land occupied by the town’s golf course, before the club shifted the project to its current site on Chief Mountain Avenue.

Two people, a man and a woman, sit smiling on the wooden steps of a rustic building with a “Bear Butchering” sign. The ad promotes Vision Credit Union and emphasizes support for small businesses.

Construction began in October 2025, with the project’s budget standing at $5.23 million, supported by $1.25 million from the town, $1 million from the MD and a $1-million provincial Community Facility Enhancement Program grant.

In November 2025, the club learned it was unsuccessful in attaining a $1.5-million Active Communities Initiative grant after construction had already started.

In April 2026, club representatives met with MD officials and requested bridge funding while reapplying for the ACI grant. The club told council it would repay municipal contributions if it successfully secured the $1.5-million grant or other funding sources.

Bruder confirms that repayment remains part of the MD agreement.

“If they get the grant, our portion of the million dollars, or whatever of the million dollars that is used, then they pay us back that amount,” he says.

Community debate preceded decisions

The municipal decisions followed a June 17 public input session that brought together about 130 residents from the town and MD. The meeting featured both support and criticism of additional municipal funding.

Supporters highlighted the curling rink’s role as a community gathering space and pointed to opportunities beyond curling, including youth programs, tournaments and other community uses.

Critics questioned why the project reached a funding shortfall and whether additional taxpayer money should be committed.

Several residents raised concerns about cost increases and accountability, asking why construction started before all funding sources were secured.

The discussion continued when town council considered the issue on June 22. Councillors were divided on whether to provide additional funding.

Shootin' the Breeze connection to more local stories

A motion from Coun. Brian McGillivray to provide no additional funding was defeated in a 4-3 vote.

Coun. Bernice Cyr later brought forward a motion to provide up to $1 million, conditional on matching funds from the MD. That motion passed 4-3.

The town’s funding would be released through monthly instalments tied to construction costs and would require amendments to the lease agreement to formalize town ownership of the facility.

Next steps

MD council’s decision satisfies its side of the matching-funds condition set by the town, but does not resolve remaining uncertainties.

Both the curling club’s agreement with the MD and the town’s agreement guaranteeing the building’s long-term use as a curling facility still need to be signed before the bulk of the $1-million commitment is released.

The town’s lease amendment formalizing its ownership of the building, directed by council in June, also has yet to return for final approval.

The curling club’s application for the ACI grant is also still pending.

Construction is expected to be completed by the end of September 2026.

Active Communities Initiative, Community Facility Enhancement Program, Construction Funding, Curling, Municipal Funding

A youth baseball team in red shirts and white pants poses with coaches in front of a chain-link fence. Some players stand, one is held up, and three lie on the grass at the front. Everyone is smiling.

Rare triple play seals 10-8 win for Red Dust Devils

Written on . Posted in Sports.

A rare game-ending triple play sealed a 10-8 win for the Dust Devils (Red) over the Dust Devils (Grey) at Juan Teran Park on June 18. The teams are among three Pincher Creek squads competing in Chinook West Little League’s junior division, which includes players aged 13 to 16.

“It was one of the coolest things,” says Red team head coach Kevin Yaworsky. “That rarely happens in a baseball game.”

He says it was a great back-and-forth contest, with good hits and good pitching, that came down to the wire in the top of the last inning, before the triple play sealed the deal.

Grey opened the scoring before Red responded aggressively with five runs to take an early 5-1 lead after the opening inning. Down but not out, Grey responded with three runs in the second to close the gap to 5-4.

Red answered by keeping Grey scoreless in the third and increasing their lead to 7-4.

Grey scored twice in the fourth inning, but Red solidified their lead with four more runs to make it 10-6 heading into the fifth and final inning.

Scoring twice more at the top of the fifth, Grey made it a close game again.

With runners on first and third and nobody out, the potential tying runs were on base with the go-ahead run at the plate.

A color-coded map shows areas in red, orange, and yellow, with several location markers and warning icons near Lethbridge. The left side features terrain detail and a label for Fernie.

Then came the play Yaworsky has witnessed only once in more than a decade of coaching baseball.

Red team pitcher Levi Cottle delivered the pitch and batter Austin Kaupp hit the ball straight up.

Cottle caught it on the mound for the first out and threw to first baseman Xxavier Prairie Chicken for the second. Catcher Ridge Flundra caught the ball at home and tagged out the runner from third to complete the triple play and end the game.

“Everybody on our team was jumping in the air, and they were excited about it, and I was excited for them,” Yaworsky says. “I was quite proud of them.”

He says both teams played well throughout the evening.

“The other team, to be fair, they made some good plays, they had some really good hits,” he says. “They had some really good pitching on their team. So yeah, it was just a really good game to watch.”

In a social media post, Carlye Ouellette said that “according to Google, the odds of a triple play in any given minor league baseball game are roughly 1,400 to one, occurring approximately once for every 400 to 500 team games. This rare event requires the exact alignment of zero outs, at least two baserunners, a sharply hit batted ball and a baserunning or defensive error.”

In a season Yaworsky says had multiple games affected or cancelled due to weather issues, this game comes as a highlight for local baseball as the sport continues to gain traction in the community.

Baseball, Little League Baseball, Triple Plays, Youth Sports

Photo of three curling rocks lined up on a sheet of ice. Bold, blue text above reads "Funding Needed"

Pincher Creek Curling Club seeks a short-term lifeline

Written on . Posted in Civic & Government, Sports.

The Pincher Creek Curling Club has enough money to keep construction of its new rink going through the end of May. After that, without new funding, the project could grind to a halt.

“Come June, if we don’t find other funding, that’s where we’re at,” club president Carrie Kinahan told town council April 27, outlining a funding gap of roughly $1.6 million.

Kinahan says the club’s request for help from the town is aimed at bridging a short-term cash-flow challenge rather than replacing ongoing fundraising efforts.

“We need help just getting over the finish line,” she tells Shootin’ the Breeze. “We’ve applied for grants, we’re continuing to apply, and we’re still going out to the community and businesses for support.”

How the project got here

Hayley Smith, vice-president of the club, told council the decision to begin construction last fall, before securing all funding, was driven by time constraints tied to a provincial grant.

The club received funding through the Community Facility Enhancement Program, which must be used by August 2026. Delaying the project would have put that funding at risk.

At that time, the club had advanced to the final stages of a $1.5-million grant application through the Alberta Community Initiatives Program.

“Based on the feedback we received, it was looking very promising,” Smith said. “Unfortunately, that grant fell through.”

Steve Poltz in concert Sept. 15 at Fort Macleod Empress Theatre

The new rink is being built on Chief Mountain Avenue, behind Walmart, on land leased from the town for 20 years at a nominal fee. A groundbreaking ceremony was held Oct. 18, 2025, and once complete, the building would be owned by the curling club.

The club has already spent more than $3 million on the project.

“Our plans and project are very bare bones — it’s literally the building,” Smith said. “There’s no new rocks, fancy anything. It is bare bones.”

At that level and with equipment transferred from the old rink, completing the structure requires about $1.8 million, barring unforeseen costs or changes.

What’s already been committed

The town has committed $1.25 million to the project and provided the land as a contribution-in-kind.

The MD of Pincher Creek raised its contribution from $868,637 to $1 million following a pitch from the club at its Nov. 25 council meeting, with additional funds drawn from the regional community initiative reserve.

The MD also agreed to provide up to $50,000 of in-kind support.

Cash-flow crunch

Despite this funding, the club faces a near-term funding crunch. Kinahan said there is only enough to cover construction costs until the end of this month, including an upcoming payment of about $450,000.

Andrew Collins Trio at the Empress Theatre in Fort Macleod Sept. 18

Don Anderberg, also speaking for the club, was direct.

“We need the cash flow now to complete the building,” he said. “I don’t think you can raise this kind of money and certainly can’t in any reasonable time.”

He suggested council cover progress payments while the club continues its fundraising efforts.

Club members said pausing the project would add costs and create uncertainty.

Shutting down would require demobilizing contractors and securing the site, which could cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, Kinahan said. Restarting later would add further expenses and risk losing contractor availability.

The club would also need to take on fencing and insurance costs currently covered under the contractor’s agreement.

Kinahan said June work is expected to run between $400,000 and $550,000, and that sealing and securing the site by the end of that month could cost another $400,000.

“Any project that gets paused, it’s a very big impact,” she said later. “Contractors that were hired are waiting to come and do their job. Now they’ve been told no, so they have to find other work.”

Andrew Collins Trio at the Empress Theatre in Fort Macleod Sept. 18

Fundraising momentum

Despite the pressure, the club reported some progress. Community and member donations have reached $53,300, and the club has earned just over $30,000 in interest on its grant funds. Club members are actively pursuing additional grants, corporate sponsorships and community donations.

Club members emphasized broad community benefits of the project, including hosting events, supporting local businesses and providing year-round space for activities such as markets, trade shows and tournaments.

Council questioned cash-flow projections, demolition costs and the potential risk of having to repay grant funding if the project is delayed. Kinahan said the club is in contact with CFEP officials to clarify timelines and conditions, but no final decision has been made.

If construction continues without interruption, the contractor is targeting a September handover, allowing the club to begin the curling season in October.

Kinahan says the club remains focused on completing the project while continuing to seek funding from multiple sources.

“We’d rather raise the money than ask for it,” she says. “But right now, we just need help to get it finished.”

Community Facilities, Community Facility Enhancement Program, Curling, Curling Rink, Fundraising, Municipal Funding, Recreation Infrastructure

Orange Alberta Highway Cleanup Campaign garbage bags spread on grass

Mustangs and Dolphins need volunteers for highway cleanup fundraisers

Written on . Posted in Community Life, Sports.

Two youth sports organizations need community help with highway cleanup fundraisers this Saturday. 

Both the Pincher Creek Dolphins Swim Club and Mustangs Football Club take part in the Alberta government’s annual highway cleanup program, which pays $100 for every kilometre of highway cleared.

Mustangs

Stakes are higher than usual for the football club. 

The cleanup can yield $2,000 for the club, money that carries added weight this year following the unexpected loss of the annual mud bog fundraiser that generated roughly $3,000 annually for the organization.

“We don’t have the mud bog this year because the property was sold,” says club president Faith Zachar. “We really need this highway cleanup to make up for that.”

Proceeds will go toward replacing aging football equipment to meet safety standards and keeping youth football more affordable for the community.

“We’re going to need some new helmets this year, because we had them inspected last year, and some of them were beyond use, and we need new shoulder pads as well,” Zachar says.

Organizers are pleased with the number of families that have signed up but welcome additional volunteers, including individuals not part of a family group. Additional help will ensure the route is finished in a reasonable amount of time.

The club’s cleanup covers a 10-kilometre stretch of Highway 3 from the Burmis intersection west toward Blairmore. Volunteers will be split into two groups starting from opposite ends, each covering one side of the highway for a total of 20 kilometres.

Steve Poltz in concert Sept. 15 at Fort Macleod Empress Theatre

Volunteers will start around 8:30 a.m. with a goal of finishing by 11, though they have until 3 p.m. if necessary.

“It’s not hard at all,” says Zachar. “We’re trying to give each family about two kilometres to do.”

The cleanup also benefits the broader community.

“There’s a lot of trash, especially after the winter, on the highways,” Zachar says. “This cleans the highways and starts off the summer season so that they’re clean and environmentally safe.”

Dolphins

The Dolphins will work a different section of Highway 3. 

Volunteers meet in Fort Macleod at the Independent Grocer parking area at 7 a.m. to receive assigned sections and materials before heading out.

The club is still looking for additional volunteers to complete the route and capitalize on this fundraising opportunity.

“Swimming is a little bit unique in the world of children’s sports,” says Dolphins vice-president Lisa Denie. 

“We have a lot of facility costs, as well as paid coaching staff rather than volunteers, because there is a little bit more required of us and coaches as far as certifications and safety requirements.”

Denie says fundraising plays an important role for the club and its ability to keep youth swimming affordable. Facility rental and paid coaching staff increase costs associated with running a swim program.

“The proceeds are used to help keep registration fees low so that we can have as many families participate in swimming as possible,” Denie says.

The cleanup is more than a fundraiser.

“It is actually also a lot of fun, just building camaraderie and spending time with community members and getting to have the satisfaction of keeping our local environment clean and tidy as well for everyone to enjoy,” she says.

How to get involved

Per Alberta Transportation’s highway cleanup program guidelines, participants must be at least nine years of age. One adult supervisor is recommended for every two children under 14 and one for every five participants aged 14 to 18.

Volunteers should bring gloves, boots and weather-appropriate clothing. 

Safety vests and garbage bags will be provided, and participants will be sent safety videos  to watch in advance.

Those interested in volunteering for the Mustangs cleanup can reach out to Faith Zachar by emailing faithzachar@hotmail.com or phoning 403-627-7751 no later than Thursday, April 30.

To volunteer for the Dolphins cleanup, email Jessica Maunsell, the club’s communications co-ordinator, at jmaunsellphoto@hotmail.ca by noon on Friday, May 1.

More information on the Alberta highway cleanup program is available online at alberta.ca.

 

 

 

Alberta | AB, Community Events, Fundraising, Highway Cleanup, Volunteerism, Youth Sports

Pincher Creek Huskies defender ties up Crowsnest Pass Thunder forward during U15 hockey game

Huskies unable to silence Thunder

Written on . Posted in Sports.

The Crowsnest Pass Thunder dominated a U15 hockey game at the Piikani Nation arena Monday, outshooting the Pincher Creek Huskies 34-22 on their way to a 12-4 win in regular league action.

The Thunder took a commanding 4-1 first-period lead and never looked back. The Huskies were unable to contain the Thunder in the second frame, giving up five goals while finding the back of the net once.

On a positive note, the Huskies’ special teams scored three times on the power play, while holding the Thunder to a pair of goals on the penalty kill.

Nicolas Gillespie and Aidan Bishop led the Thunder attack with three goals apiece. Sam Graham, Ryder Jorgensen and Jack Bishop each added a pair of goals.

Maxwell Olson scored twice for the Huskies, with singles coming from Colter Whitford and Karson Crow Shoe.

Alberta | AB, Colter Whitford, Crowsnest Pass Hockey, Hockey, Karson Crow Shoe, Maxwell Olson, Pincher Creek Hockey Association, Pincher Creek Huskies

Two hospitalized after Rivermen team bus crashes en route to Crowsnest Pass

Written on . Posted in RCMP & Public Safety, Sports.

Two players hospitalized following Athabasca Rivermen hockey club bus crash en route to Crowsnest Pass

A charter bus carrying the Athabasca Rivermen junior A hockey team was involved in a single-vehicle crash Friday after veering off Highway 2, resulting in two players being hospitalized and the postponement of weekend games in Crowsnest Pass.

According to RCMP, the crash happened in the early-morning hours south of Athabasca, where the driver lost control of the bus, entered a ditch and struck nearby trees.

While the initial RCMP report did not disclose the number of individuals aboard the bus, most were between the ages of 15 and 19.

Two teenagers were taken to hospital in Edmonton with non-life-threatening injuries, while several others were treated on-scene for minor injuries and soreness.

Police say weather and road conditions are believed to have played a role in the accident, as at the time, the highway was partially snow-covered and icy, with temperatures hovering around -37 C.

The Rivermen were travelling to Crowsnest Pass for a pair of National Junior Hockey League games against the Crowsnest Crush, which were slated to take place Friday and Saturday.

A color-coded map shows areas in red, orange, and yellow, with several location markers and warning icons near Lethbridge. The left side features terrain detail and a label for Fernie.

 

 

The Crush took to social media to confirm the incident and announce the postponement of both weekend games.

In a display of solidarity with the opposing club, the Crush encouraged fans to show their support of the Rivermen.

“Our hearts are heavy this morning as we extend all of our prayers, thoughts and best wishes to the Athabasca Rivermen junior A hockey club and their families,” the post reads.

“As a hockey community, we are all thinking of you and encourage all our Crush fans from near and far to light up the Pass in support and have those sticks out.”

In an update issued shortly after noon, the NJHL said it remains “in active communication with Rivermen representatives and local authorities,” emphasizing that the health and well-being of those involved continues to be its top priority.

The league added that medical and mental health supports will be made available to the team, and thanked first responders for their swift, professional response.

Andrew Collins Trio at the Empress Theatre in Fort Macleod Sept. 18

 

 

Alberta | AB

Snow-making machine blasts artificial snow while a groomer works on the slopes at Castle Mountain Resort during a snowfall

Castle Mountain opening weekend supports Pincher Creek, Crowsnest food banks

Written on . Posted in Community Life, Sports.

Castle Mountain Resort is gearing up for another exciting kickoff to the ski season with its annual opening weekend food bank fundraiser.

This Friday to Sunday, the ski resort will donate a dollar for every visitor — whether that’s someone with a season pass, WOW card or day ticket, or even a staff member — to Pincher Creek and District Community Food Centre and Crowsnest Pass Food Bank.

This will likely lead to the most money ever raised for local food banks by Castle Mountain, which has generously raised its maximum pledge to $2,500.

Adding to the impact of the fundraiser is Pincher Creek Co-op, which will match every dollar raised, bringing the potential total to $5,000.

Cole Fawcett, Castle’s sales and marketing manager, says the resort’s annual fundraiser has become a natural part of how they kick off the ski season.

“As we approach the holidays, it always feels like an appropriate time to try our best to give back in some way, shape or form,” he says.

“The holidays can conjure up times when families have an overabundance of food, but unfortunately, that isn’t the reality for everyone, so we want to make sure everybody gets to experience the kind of holiday period that they should.”

Since the fundraiser’s inception, the money has been split 50-50 between the Pincher Creek and Crowsnest Pass food banks.

“We draw as many, if not more, individuals out of Crowsnest Pass as we do Pincher Creek, so we naturally look at both as home communities, with both staff and guests coming from each,” Cole says.

Guests are encouraged to further fight food insecurity by bringing non-perishable items with them during their visit to Castle Mountain. A shopping cart will be located at the guest services building for folks to drop off their items in.

While monetary donations are most effective given that food banks are able to stretch funds more than individuals can themselves, Cole says shelf-stable products, such as canned goods, toiletries and household sundries, are welcome and still go a long way.

Cole believes the skiing and snowboarding community can play a vital role during this time of year for families that need the kind of support offered by our local food banks.

“We can make an outsized impact, and really, we could, for some people, make the difference between dinner with their families or not,” he says. “That’s a really powerful impact.”

For those itching to hit the slopes, Castle staff have been hard at work preparing the hill for opening day. The resort recorded about 60 centimetres of natural snow last week, while CMR’s snowmakers have been working around the clock to fortify the terrain.

Exact terrain details, including snow levels and lift access, will be announced midweek on Castle’s website and social media pages.

The highly anticipated Stagecoach Express, Castle’s first high-speed lift, remains under construction, but updates will continue to be given as it draws closer to completion.

In the meantime, as opening weekend approaches, Cole encourages skiers to come out to Castle Mountain Resort to enjoy the great early-season conditions while helping neighbours across both Pincher Creek and Crowsnest Pass fill their plates and pantries this holiday season.

“If you’re planning to come ride or ski anyway, this is such an easy way to give back and make a real difference,” he says.

For updates and more information, visit Castle Mountain Resort’s website at www.skicastle.ca or head over to its social media pages.

 

 

Alberta | AB, Castle Mountain Resort – Alberta, Christmas Giving & Donations, Christmas Giving & Donations – Crowsnest Pass, Christmas Giving & Donations – Pincher Creek, Christmas in Pincher Creek, Community Giving, Community Giving – Crowsnest Pass, Community Giving – Pincher Creek, Pincher Creek Co-op – Pincher Creek

Curling rock with yellow handle sits in blue ring on the ice

Pincher Creek Curling Club receives $40,000 grant for new facility

Written on . Posted in Sports.

The Pincher Creek Curling Club will receive $40,000 toward construction of a new curling facility as part of a provincial grant program supporting rural communities.

The club was among five recipients of the UFA Agricultural Community Foundation’s 2025 Rural Communities Grant Program, which distributed $100,000 total to capital projects across agricultural communities, according to a UFA Foundation news release.

The project broke ground with a sod-turning ceremony on Oct. 18, with completion projected for October 2026.

Watch for a follow-up story in the Nov. 12 issue of Shootin’ the Breeze.

A color-coded map shows areas in red, orange, and yellow, with several location markers and warning icons near Lethbridge. The left side features terrain detail and a label for Fernie.

The UFA Foundation program continues work previously done by the UFA Rural Communities Foundation. Combined, the two programs have awarded $700,000 to rural capital projects.

“We are thrilled to support these five outstanding projects that reflect the heart and spirit of agricultural communities,” said Kimberly MacDonald, senior manager of community impact for the UFA Foundation. “Each initiative demonstrates the power of community and the importance of investing in spaces where people come together to learn, connect and celebrate the rural way of life.”

Other 2025 recipients include Buffalo Coulee Community Club ($20,000 for roof repairs), Radway Agricultural Society ($20,000 for Agri-Centre roof repairs), Fundraising Society of the Rolling Hills School ($10,000 for an Agricultural Academy Barn), and Agriculture Charter School Society in the Strathmore area ($10,000 toward barn construction).

Andrew Collins Trio at the Empress Theatre in Fort Macleod Sept. 18

Kevin Hoppins, advisory board chair of the UFA Foundation, says the grants create broader community benefits beyond their immediate purpose.

“These grants are more than just financial support, they’re a catalyst for connection,” Hoppins said. “As someone deeply rooted in rural Alberta, I’ve seen firsthand how investments in local projects create ripple effects of pride, opportunity and community spirit.”

More information about the UFA Agricultural Community Foundation is available at UFAFoundation.com.

 

Alberta | AB, Radway – Alberta, Rolling Hills – Alberta, Strathmore – Alberta, UFA Agricultural Community Foundation, Vermilion – Alberta

Youth hockey players on ice during game

U11-1 Thunder start season strong with tiering games

Written on . Posted in Sports.

The first weekend of the minor hockey season in Crowsnest Pass kicked off with plenty of energy and excitement as teams hit the ice for their tiering games. Players, coaches and families filled the arena with enthusiasm, marking the start of what promises to be an action-packed season.

Teams face off in a series of competitive matchups designed to determine tier placements for the year. These early games are crucial — not just for rankings, but for setting the tone for the season ahead.

Throughout the weekend, families were treated to fast skating, strong defence and impressive goals. Crowsnest Pass Thunder U11-1 opened their season on home ice Saturday morning against Fort Macleod, where both teams showed incredible hustle.The Thunder came out on top with a decisive 10–4 win. 

On Sunday morning, the team hit the road to face Claresholm Thunder. Spectators were treated to a hard-fought, competitive game as C.N.P. Thunder claimed another victory, finishing with a 9-4 score.

Crowsnest Pass Thunder U11-1 displayed heart, grit and strong teamwork all weekend, setting the stage for what looks to be a thrilling season.

The results of these tiering games will help shape the schedule and matchups for the rest of the year. No matter the outcomes ahead, these early weekends serve as an exciting reminder of why hockey season is such a special time for communities across the region.

 

Alberta | AB, Alberta Hockey, Alberta Sports, Crowsnest Pass – Alberta, Crowsnest Pass Hockey, Crowsnest Pass Sports, Hockey

Four people posing with championship buckle plaque at rodeo awards ceremony

Canadian rodeo champions crowned at CFR in Edmonton

Written on . Posted in Sports.

A record-smashing CFR wrapped up at Rogers Place in Edmonton on Saturday night as the 2025 Canadian Professional Rodeo champions were crowned.

Along the way there were triumphs, heartbreak, bumps, bruises and unforgettable performances that will go down in the record books — including one cowboy’s brilliance that brought the Rogers Place crowd to its feet in an extended standing ovation.

In a Canadian Finals Rodeo that featured several highlight moments, it was the king of the Canadian cowboys, Zeke Thurston, who provided some of the biggest and best en route to his record-extending sixth consecutive saddle bronc riding championship.

 

Saddle bronc rider on bucking white horse with crowd watching at indoor rodeo

Zeke Thurston of Big Valley scored 91.5 points on his championship ride at CFR 51 in Edmonton, winning his sixth consecutive saddle bronc title. Photo by Billie-Jean Duff.

 

 

The Big Valley talent capped off another brilliant CFR with the highest marked ride of the finals — a 91.5-point effort Saturday night that had the Rogers Place crowd roaring its approval from start to finish. Thurston, the 31-year-old four-time world champion, matched up with Macza Rodeo’s Squash Blossom Steely Dan, a horse he’s enjoyed great success on previously, to put the exclamation point on a season for the ages.

“That’s the fourth time I’ve been on that horse and I think the lowest score has been 89.5,” Thurston says. “I’ve been fortunate to draw him at some really big rodeos and he’s won me a lot of money.”

The significance of his record week was not lost on the second-generation athlete. “I feel like I’ve been blessed to have been given some amazing talents and it’s my job to go out there and do my very best and honour the sport that I love that has given me so much.”

Steve Poltz in concert Sept. 15 at Fort Macleod Empress Theatre

Thurston won three rounds and was third in the other two as he amassed $122,481 in season earnings to easily eclipse the $113,000 record he had previously established in 2019.

The Canadian will now head south to Las Vegas in December in search of a fifth world title, riding perhaps as well as he has at any point in his career. That prospect has to be making 14 other NFR bronc riders more than a little nervous.

Provost’s Scott Guenthner turned in one of the most remarkable efforts in Canadian rodeo history as the superstar steer wrestler topped the field in all five go-rounds. His times of 3.7, 4.2, 3.6, 3.7 and 3.6 earned him $57,000 in go-round money. Add the $17,100 aggregate cheque and $39,349 in regular season money and Guenthner’s single season earnings easily established a new record at $113,449.

 

Steer wrestling competitor and hazer on horseback tackling steer at indoor rodeo arena

Scott Guenthner of Provost won all five steer wrestling rounds at CFR 51 in Edmonton, setting a new Canadian rodeo record. Photo by Billie-Jean Duff.

 

It was his final go-round winning run — a second 3.6-second gem — that brought the CFR crowd to its feet in a salute to a cowboy and a feat that will likely stand as a record for a long time. Guenthner’s dad, Ken, was co-holder of the previous record for most go-round wins at three.

“I joked with my dad when I tied his record that I was wanting to beat him, but to do this is a dream come true,” Guenthner says. “I’m kind of speechless and it hasn’t really sunk in yet. To win all five rounds against these guys — I mean they’re not easy — is a dream come true. Since I was a little kid I’ve wanted to win Canadian championships, but to do it like this and set a record that I hope will be around for a while is kind of unbelievable.”

Guenthner achieved his success on the back of Tanner Milan’s steer wrestling horse extraordinaire, Eddie, a horse that has also won honours as the best at his craft. On Guenthner’s other side doing the hazing was Bailee Milan (riding Stump, 2024 Canadian Hazing Horse), who Guenthner called “one of the best hazers in the world.”

That combination will now make their way to Las Vegas as Guenthner rides into the Thomas and Mack Arena in search of a first world title.

One year ago, Jared Parsonage was in a hospital watching the CFR on television after sustaining a bull riding injury. One year later, the Maple Creek bull rider claimed his third title with an outstanding performance that saw him ride all five of his bulls, place in all five rounds and lock down the title with a third-place 84 score. He added an aggregate win that carried him past two worthy challengers in Garrett Green and season leader Jake Gardiner.

“I won’t lie, sitting in the hospital last year and watching it happen wasn’t fun, but it’s part of the game,” the Maple Creek, Sask., cowboy says. “At my age, it would have been easy to quit, but my pride wasn’t going to let me go out like that, so I just took my time and got focused. And, heck, what better way to come back than showing you can still play the game.”

Parsonage collected $46,331 in CFR money to go along with $31,769 for his winning total of $78,100.

 

Tie-down roper on grey horse swinging lasso at indoor rodeo arena

Kyle Lucas of Carstairs won his first Canadian tie-down roping championship at CFR 51 in Edmonton. Photo by Billie-Jean Duff.

 

After being runner-up three times for the Canadian title, Carstairs tie-down roper Kyle Lucas captured his first champion’s buckle in dramatic fashion as he and 23-year-old Manitoba sophomore Stran Dunham went head-to-head in the final round of CFR 51.

Lucas roped first on Saturday night and put together an 8.3-second run. When Dunham could manage only a 9.4-second response, the wait was over for the Albertan as he received the coveted champion’s buckle in a year that will also see him heading for the Thomas and Mack Arena in Las Vegas for his first trip to the Wrangler National Finals.

Steve Poltz in concert Sept. 15 at Fort Macleod Empress Theatre

“I felt like I was a lot less nervous, and maybe being more relaxed and not worried about the outcome played a factor,” Lucas says. “The calf kind of cut left in the delivery of my throw and that can be the hardest time — almost when you’re throwing, it’s like a pool shot, the shot’s already made. That’s where the preparation and practice come into play. I’ve got to thank God for that loop going on. I think he maybe had something to do with it going on the way it did. My dad (four-time Canadian champion Smokin’ Joe Lucas) said a lot of people had those loops this week; you might as well have one too. Either way, we were happy.”

Lucas started the week slow, failing to place in the first round and splitting the fifth-place cheque in round two. But a winning 7.6-second run in round three gave the 32-year-old roper some momentum and he added a second and that critical fourth place in the final performance to win both the aggregate title and the championship.

“Being a champion is a lot more mental than physical, especially at my age, this point in my career,” he says.

Of that all-important final loop, Lucas added this: “I thought initially that it could be good enough but I knew I didn’t have it wrapped up. After Stran roped, I knew I’d won the average and thought maybe that was why Katy (his sister and Cowboy Channel broadcaster) was interviewing me. But it worked out and I was grateful for that outcome. Stran came and congratulated me afterwards. He’s one of the coolest guys out there.”

 

Cowgirl barrel racer on grey horse making tight turn around red barrel at indoor arena

Jayden Wilson of Gleichen won her first Canadian barrel racing championship on her horse Whiskey at CFR 51 in Edmonton. Photo by Billie-Jean Duff.

 

Gleichen cowgirl Jayden Wilson brought her trademark consistency to Rogers Place and won her first Canadian title by continuing the pattern that earned her the season leader accolade for 2025. She didn’t win a ton of rodeos during the regular season but was always in the top few for sizable cheques. She repeated the pattern as she picked up two second-place cheques, one third and the aggregate title to earn her first Canadian champion’s buckle on her talented Barrel Horse of the Year, Whiskey.

In the bareback riding, veteran Clint Laye put together a solid five-round result that included a second, two thirds, a fourth and a fifth en route to his third Canadian championship. The Cadogan cowboy took home $40,485 in CFR earnings, which included the aggregate title, for a total on the year of $85,381 to top defending champion Kody Lamb for the 2025 crown.

Longview’s Bradi Whiteside wore the number one back number at CFR, a reflection of her being the biggest rodeo money earner through the regular season. Though she did not qualify for the CFR in the barrel racing, the 23-year-old emerged victorious in her second event — the breakaway roping.

At a finals that saw several cowgirls, including Whiteside, struggle at times, Whiteside won round two and followed that up with a second-place run in round three to hold off the rest of the field and lay claim to her first title. Whiteside was a double winner as she took home the all-around cowgirl crown with $73,610.39 to edge Quesnel, B.C., cowgirl Taylor Cherry by $3,000 for the honour. Mikenna Schauer earned the breakaway aggregate title.

In the team roping, it was a pair of Ponoka cowboys — Kash Bonnett on the heading side and heeler Logan Cullen — who won three rounds in a row (rounds two, three and four) as well as the aggregate. The team also survived a miss in the final round to secure their first team roping title.

Both ropers topped $90,000 in total earnings for a comfortable $30,000-plus margin of victory and were able to overtake season leaders Kavis Drake and Denim Ross, who came into the CFR as the heavy favourites.

In the youth events, Strathmore’s Clay Greenslade won the novice saddle bronc title while Quaide Skjonsberg of Bluffton was the novice bareback titlist. The 2025 junior steer riding champion was Grande Prairie cowboy Ryder Topolinski while Dayton Cronkhite won the aggregate.

Additional winners: All-around: Logan Spady, Kenny McLean: Kyle Wanchuk, Rookie: Taylor Cherry, Permit: Taylor Cherry

Stock of the CFR: Bareback: Macza Rodeo’s 118 OLS Tubs Stevie Knicks, Saddle bronc: Calgary Stampede’s C-35 Crocket, Bull: Vold Rodeo’s 308 Splash Tide

For complete results, visit rodeocanada.com.

Alberta | AB, Bailee Milan – Cochrane, Big Valley – Alberta, Bradi Whiteside – Longview, British Columbia, British Columbia | BC, Cadogan – Alberta, Canadian Finals Rodeo | CFR, Carstairs – Alberta, Clint Laye – Cadogan, Cochrane – Alberta, Edmonton – Alberta, Fort St. John – British Columbia, Garrett Green – Meeting Creek, Gleichen – Alberta, Halkirk – Alberta, Jake Gardiner – Fort St. John, Jared Parsonage – Maple Creek, Jayden Wilson – Gleichen, Kash Bonnett – Ponoka, Kody Lamb – Sherwood Park, Kyle Lucas – Carstairs, Logan Cullen – Ponoka, Longview – Alberta, Manitoba, Maple Creek – Saskatchewan, Meeting Creek – Alberta, Mikenna Schauer – Halkirk, Ponoka – Alberta, Provost – Alberta, Quesnel – BC, Rodeo, Saskatchewan, Scott Guenther – Provost, Sherwood Park – Alberta, Souris – Manitoba, Stran Dunham – Souris, Tanner Milan – Three Hills, Taylor Cherry – Quesnel, Zeke Thurston – Big Valley

A cowboy wearing a hat and a numbered shirt rides a white horse in a rodeo arena, preparing to throw a lasso. An official in a white shirt and hat stands nearby.

Tie-down ropers neck-and-neck heading into CFR finale

Written on . Posted in Sports.

The Canadian Finals Rodeo heads into its final two rounds Saturday with the tie-down roping championship up for grabs.

Kyle Lucas of Carstairs and Beau Cooper of Stettler turned in identical 7.6-second runs — the fastest of the week — and both remain in contention. Stran Dunham of Souris, Man., leads with $54,137, holding a $7,000 edge over Cooper in second place at $47,501. Lucas sits third, just $2,000 back of Cooper.

“All three rounds have been good rounds with really good roping,” Cooper says. “It’s all been pretty tight and everybody’s roping good.”

Lucas credits his horse and preparation. “I think the hardest thing is to let go and trust your preparation and your training,” he says. “I’m riding Bunny (Lola) here at the CFR. Tim Bagnell let me take that horse and that’s kind of his baby. I’m just very fortunate to get to take her.”

 

A cowboy wearing a white shirt and hat rides a rearing gray horse in a rodeo arena, holding a lasso, with dirt flying and spectators in the blurred background.

Kyle Lucas – Photo by Billie Jean Duff

In bull riding, two-time champion Jared Parsonage has seized control with a perfect three-for-three performance. The Maple Creek cowboy is the only bull rider to conquer all three bulls so far and leads with $56,420 over season leader Jake Gardiner’s $52,820. Parsonage captured second place Friday with an 87.5-point ride on Trailer Trash. He also leads the aggregate with 256.75 points on three.

Steve Poltz in concert Sept. 15 at Fort Macleod Empress Theatre

Round 3 winners:

  • Bareback: Dantan Bertsch, 86.75 points
  • Steer wrestling: Scott Guenthner, 3.6 seconds (third consecutive round win)
A rodeo competitor wearing a pink shirt and hat rides a horse while swinging a lasso toward a running calf in an indoor arena, with spectators and signage visible in the background.

Caitlyn Dahm – Photo by Covy Moore

  • Breakaway roping: Caitlyn Dahm, 1.9 seconds
A rodeo cowboy wearing a hat and maroon shirt rides a bucking horse in an indoor arena, surrounded by spectators and judges. The horse is mid-jump, with its legs raised and mane flying.

Ben Andersen – Photo by Covy Moore

  • Saddle bronc: Ben Andersen, 88 points
  • Barrel racing: Pamela Morrison, 13.84 seconds (first CFR round win)

A rodeo competitor rides a galloping horse in an arena, wearing a white shirt and black cowboy hat. The horse has blue protective leg wraps. Rodeo staff and spectators watch in the background.

Kash Bonnett – Covy Moore Photo

A rodeo cowboy wearing a black hat rides a galloping horse, swinging a lasso in an indoor arena. Spectators and event staff watch in the background. The image is credited to Covy Moore.

Logan Cullen – Photo by Covy Moore

  • Team roping: Kash Bonnett/Logan Cullen, 4.5 seconds (second consecutive round win)
  • Bull riding: Grady Young, 88.25 points
A rodeo cowboy in a red shirt and black hat rides a bucking horse in an arena, gripping the reins as the horse leaps. Spectators and officials watch from behind a metal fence.

Quaide Skjonsberg – Photo by Covy Moore

  • Novice bareback champion: Quaide Skjonsberg

Andrew Collins Trio at the Empress Theatre in Fort Macleod Sept. 18

A rodeo rider wearing a helmet and vest rides a bucking horse inside an arena as the horse kicks up its hind legs; rodeo officials and onlookers stand behind the fence in the background.

Clay Greenslade – Photo by Covy Moore

  • Novice saddle bronc champion: Clay Greenslade

CFR 51 rounds four and five start at 11 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Saturday at Rogers Place in Edmonton. Complete results at rodeocanada.com.

Three people in cowboy hats pose together at a rodeo event; the woman in the center wears a sash reading “Miss Rodeo Canada 2022” and a crown, while the man on the left holds a belt buckle award.

Abbey Harty – Miss Rodeo Canada – Photo by Billie Jean Duff

 

Alberta | AB, Beau Cooper – Stettler, British Columbia, Canadian Finals Rodeo | CFR, Carstairs – Alberta, Edmonton – Alberta, Fort St. John – British Columbia, Jake Gardiner – Fort St. John, Jared Parsonage – Maple Creek, Kyle Lucas – Carstairs, Manitoba, Maple Creek – Saskatchewan, Provost – Alberta, Rodeo, Saskatchewan, Scott Guenther – Provost, Souris – Manitoba, Stettler – Alberta, Stran Dunham – Souris

Blake Molle barrel racing

CPRA standings tighten as Canadian Finals Rodeo approaches

Written on . Posted in Sports.

Races tighten as end of season approaches

With the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association season in its final week leading up to the Canadian Finals Rodeo, several races remain stoked with drama as a number of CFRo qualifying positions are still undecided.

Steer wrestling is one event where both the top and bottom of the standings are a dogfight.

Ryan Shuckburgh came into the second-last weekend of the regular season just $8,000 behind four-time Champion Scott Guenthner. The Innisfail cowboy got the win at the SMS Equipment Pro Tour stop in Lethbridge (3.7 seconds, $3,219.03), then split the top honours at Okotoks with Quentin Branden (4.1 seconds, $1,960.37 each) to move to within $3,000 of the Provost superstar

Guenthner who is spending at least some of his time south of the 49th parallel vying for a return trip to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.

And still in bulldogging, the scrap for the last couple of qualifying berths is equally heated as reigning World Champion JD Struxness, Landon Beardsworth and Layne Delemont occupy 10 through 12 with two-time champion Tanner Milan, Joe Guze, Craig Weisgerber and Branden all nipping at their heels.

Struxness with $3,900, Weisgerber with $3,500, Delemont with $1,800 and Guze with $1,300 all did their best to keep the race to the Canadian Finals Rodeo in the nail-biter category.

Nobody had a better weekend than barrel racer Blake Molle. The 2023 Canadian Finals Rodeo qualifier rode her new equine acquisition to wins at the Okotoks Pro Rodeo (14.64 seconds, $3,064.59), and Nanton (15.95 seconds, $2,180.80) and added a second-place cheque at Lethbridge (15.10, $2,548.81). Her $7,700 haul will vault her from 19th going into the weekend all the way to the top 10 in the standings heading to the all-important BC run.

A color-coded map shows areas in red, orange, and yellow, with several location markers and warning icons near Lethbridge. The left side features terrain detail and a label for Fernie.

And another race that will be interesting to keep an eye on is the bull riding where two-time Canadian Champion Edgar Durazo and challenger Jake Gardner’s season leader battle will go down to the wire with both enjoying $2,700 weekends leaving Durazo atop the leaderboard with a slender $1,100 lead.

And just $3,500 separates the number eight man from the number 13 man which means one of Lonnie West, Dakota Buttar, Garrett Green, Lonnie Phillips, Auzyn Corr or Ashton Sahli could be on the outside looking in after the hugely lucrative three-event season finale.

Those three critical final stops of the CPRA regular season include the SMS Equipment Pro Tour Finals at the Armstrong IPE Aug. 27-30, the Nicola Valley Pro Rodeo at Merritt, Aug. 30 and 31 and the Valley West Stampede at Langley Aug. 30-Sept. 1 — all British Columbia events.

For complete unofficial results head over to rodeocanada.com.

 

Alberta | AB, Armstrong – British Columbia, Ashton Sahli – Lacombe, Auzyn Corr – Grande Prairie, Barrhead – Alberta, Cadogan – Alberta, Cardston – Alberta, Chauvin – Alberta, Craig Weisgerber – Ponoka, Dakota Buttar – Eatonia, Drayton Valley – Alberta, Eatonia – Saskatchewan, Edgar Durazo – Moctezuma, Elko – British Columbia, Fort St. John – British Columbia, Garrett Green – Meeting Creek, Grande Prairie – Alberta, Innisfail – Alberta, Jacob Gardner – Fort St. John, JD Struxness – Milan, Joe Guze – Drayton Valley, Lacombe – Alberta, Landon Beardsworth – Red Deer County, Langley – British Columbia, Layne Delemont – Cardston, Lethbridge – Alberta, Lonnie Phillips – Elko, Lonnie West – Cadogan, Meeting Creek – Alberta, Merritt – British Columbia, Ponoka – Alberta, Provost – Alberta, Quentin Branden – Barrhead, Red Deer County – Alberta, Rodeo, Ryan Shuckburgh – Innisfail, Scott Guenthner – Provost, Sports, Tanner Milan – Three Hills, Three Hills – Alberta

Team Alberta athletes in blue uniforms holding white banner with Team Alberta logo in gymnasium

Team Alberta aims for gold at 2025 Canada Summer Games

Written on . Posted in Civic & Government, Sports.

More than 300 Alberta athletes are heading to the 2025 Canada Summer Games in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, aiming for gold as they compete against the country’s top young talent.

The games run Aug. 8 to 25 and will feature more than 4,000 of Canada’s best young athletes, making it one of the country’s most significant multi-sport events.

Alberta’s government has invested more than $1.6 million to support Team Alberta, including $744,000 in operations and logistics funding through the 2025 Canada Summer Games Operating Grant. The province also provided sporting organizations with $900,000 over three years for athlete training and selection through the Canada Games Team Training and Selection Grant.

“Alberta’s government is proud to support and cheer on the athletes and coaches of Team Alberta competing at the 2025 Canada Summer Games,” said Andrew Boitchenko, Minister of Tourism and Sport. “These dedicated athletes are an inspiration to the next generation to get active, dream big and discover for themselves the power of sport.”

Athletes from 74 communities across Alberta earned their spot on Team Alberta through competitive selection camps. Leading the team into opening ceremonies as flag bearer is canoe kayaker Jonnie Newman, who was also a member of Team Canada’s artistic swimming team at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

“I’m incredibly proud to represent Alberta as I lead our athletes into one of the most inspiring experiences in a sporting career,” said Newman. “Carrying the flag at the Canada Summer Games is a true honour, as this event celebrates the dedication of Canadian athletes and brings together a vibrant community where athletes uplift one another.”

The Canada Games have served as a stepping stone for many of Canada’s top athletes, including Hayley Wickenheiser, Sydney Crosby, Mark McMorris and Alberta’s own Katherine and Michelle Plouffe.

“The 2025 Canada Summer Games is a great opportunity for Alberta’s high-performance athletes to experience a multi-sport games,” said Cam Berwald, chef de mission for Team Alberta. “It provides a major stepping stone for athlete development and is the start of a road forward to represent Canada at the international level.”

At the 2022 Canada Summer Games in Ontario’s Niagara region, Alberta finished fourth overall with 111 medals: 35 gold, 33 silver and 43 bronze. Team Alberta was also awarded the Centennial Cup for the most improved province from one summer games to the next.

 

Alberta | AB, Canada Summer Games, Jonnie Newman – Alberta, St. John’s – Newfoundland and Labrador, Team Alberta

Ryleigh White Cow competes for North American youth athlete title

Written on . Posted in Community Life, Sports.

Local hockey standout seeks community support

A young ice hockey forward from Piikani Nation with strong ties to Pincher Creek is vying for national recognition and is in need of local support to make it happen.

Thirteen-year-old Ryleigh White Cow, who most recently played for the Lethbridge Mustangs U13 major hockey club in the Premier Hockey League, is competing against fellow athletes ages seven to 17 in the 2025 Youth Athlete of the Year contest. 

Currently in the group stage of voting, Ryleigh will need enough votes to place first in her group if she is to advance in the contest. 

Organized by Colossal in partnership with Sports Illustrated and NFL quarterback Russell Wilson’s clothing brand, 3Brand, the competition recognizes rising athletic talent from across North America. The winner will receive $25,000 and appear in an advertisement in Sports Illustrated for 3Brand.

When Ryleigh and her mother, Niki White Cow, learned of the competition, they decided they wanted to give it a shot. They are now hoping to muster up enough local support to advance in the contest. Early support has been great, but they’ll need more to make it through to the finalists round.

“We just thought that it would be something really fun and positive. She really loves sports — she’d play them all if she could,” says Niki.

“Any support from the community would mean so much. It reminds her that people are behind her on this journey.”

Ryleigh first learned to skate when she was three years old, spending time with the Pincher Creek Skating Club. Seeing hockey players on the ice at the same time as her, she made her intentions clear from a very early age: she wanted to play hockey.

Steve Poltz in concert Sept. 15 at Fort Macleod Empress Theatre

At just four years old, Ryleigh began playing organized hockey with the Pincher Creek Chinooks, playing co-ed hockey from 2016 until 2023.

“There were years where she was the only girl on the team, but she kept showing up, kept working hard and earning her place. She’s always worked so hard,” her mother says.

Ahead of the 2023-24 season, Ryleigh moved on to play AA hockey with the Lethbridge Southern Express.

According to Niki, for spring 2024, Ryleigh was the only girl to try out for the Lethbridge Rebels spring program, alongside 65 male athletes, and earned a spot on the top-tier gold team. 

It has never seemed to faze Ryleigh to play against boys, as she soared through the hockey ranks over the years. Looking up to Canadian women icons has helped keep her motivated.

“I look up to Hayley Wickenheiser,” she says. “She played with the boys, like me, and is a pioneer in women’s hockey.”

Ryleigh continued her development this past season with the Lethbridge Mustangs U13 major team, and has suited up for competitive female teams including the Lethbridge Battle and the Ontario-based Eastern Elite Chaos.

Her mother says Ryleigh also recently attended the SDR Scouting Summit in Calgary, where her performance caught the attention of scouts as she trained under university coaches during a weekend showcase.

A color-coded map shows areas in red, orange, and yellow, with several location markers and warning icons near Lethbridge. The left side features terrain detail and a label for Fernie.

While Niki notes that her daughter is “still quite young” to be scouted for colleges, it is ultimately Ryleigh’s goal to play college hockey, and this was a good opportunity for early exposure.

Among the schools with scouts in attendance were Yale, Brown, Cornell University, Mount Royal, University of Calgary and many more.

Most recently, Ryleigh learned that she had been invited to play in Finland’s Lion’s Cup tournament in 2026. 

While hockey is her priority, she is also a strong all-around athlete. Ryleigh competes in basketball, volleyball, track, fastball and cross-country and track with St. Michael’s School in Pincher Creek. She also plays club basketball with Grey Horse.

“I like to challenge myself to be better than I was yesterday, to see growth from the start to the end of a season,” says Ryleigh. 

“I’m competitive but quiet, so sports are my loud.”

Known by her Blackfoot name, Iipiitsikamotaaki, meaning “survivor,” Ryleigh takes pride in being from Piikani Nation and in her heritage, which has helped carry her through every stage of her athletic journey. 

Her mother expresses tremendous pride in her daughter, noting the resilience she has shown through challenges on and off the ice.

Andrew Collins Trio at the Empress Theatre in Fort Macleod Sept. 18

“Ryleigh has overcome so much as a young Indigenous female athlete and this makes me proud,” Niki says.

Although she grew up in Piikani, Ryleigh has attended school and played organized sports in Pincher Creek for most of her life. 

“She really considers Pincher Creek to be one of her hometowns. That’s where her hockey journey started, and any support would mean a lot,” Niki says.

Both Ryleigh and her mother hope both communities will rally to show support for one of their own.

As of Tuesday, Ryleigh sits at third within her group, and will need all the support she can muster ahead of the voting deadline, which is Thursday, Aug. 7. If she places first in her group by the deadline, Ryleigh will move on to the next voting stage, where the top 20 will vie for the coveted title and ad in Sports Illustrated. 

Everyone is entitled to one free vote every 24 hours, with an option to buy further votes through donations. Proceeds support the V Foundation, which funds cancer research, and the Why Not You Foundation, which focuses on youth empowerment and education.

To cast your vote for Ryleigh White Cow as the next Youth Athlete of the Year, visit www.athleteoftheyear.org/2025/ryleigh-a417.

 

Alberta | AB, Alberta First Nations, Alberta Hockey, Children and Youth, Cultural Perspectives, Indigenous Perspectives, Niki White Cow – Piikani Nation, Piikani Nation | Brocket – Alberta, Pincher Creek Chinooks, Pincher Creek Skating Club, Ryleigh White Cow – Piikani Nation, Sports, St. Michael’s School Pincher Creek

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