Kim Arbuthnott hangs on tight in the Ladies Cow Riding event during the 40th Annual Tees Rodeo Sunday. Arbuthnott tied with Martina Holtkamp for first place.
ECA Review/L. Joy
Dust flew as heavy hoofs hit the Tees rodeo grounds over the long weekend with more than 450 contestants vying to be top cowboy or cowgirl in their category.
Tees’ 40th Annual Rodeo – sanctioned by the Central Alberta Rodeo Association and dubbed “the Biggest Little Rodeo in Canada” – was held Aug. 1 and 2. The event featured everything from a Wild Pony Race, Men’s Costumed Barrel Racing, a Pony Express Race and Mile Stock Horse Race to beer gardens with live entertainment and music by Ransom and Backroad Traveler.
“We had full entries in all events,” said organizer Tanya Meston Tuesday, adding that participants came from across Central and Eastern Alberta.
Meston said Tees Rode ads extra events for the kids, which contributes to the rodeo’s popularity.
The winners were: Saddle Bronc – Nick Patterson; Bareback – Justin Aspden and Jake Plotts – tied for first; Bull Riding – Sean Clark; Ladies Cow Riding – Martina Holtkamp and Kim Arbuthnott – tied for first; Ladies Barrels – Jalaine Anderson; Tie Down Roping – Duane Ganske; Team Roping – Kyle Keates and Jesse Martin; 7-12 Steers – Dylan Conners; 13-15 Steers – Rylee Storey; 7-12 Breakaway – Trey Erion; 13-15 Breakaway – Hayden Warren; 7-12 Barrels – Amanda Harder; 13-15 Barrels – Blayde Melaney; Pony Express – Brittany Dommasch; Wild Cow Milking – Greg Moulton Team.
Back this year was the 2nd Annual Meston Invitational on Aug. 3. Jax Meston, 12, and Maria Meston, 14, spearheaded the event to raise money for the Alberta Children’s Hospital in care of the Rotary Flames House.
Meston said the event was started last year to help an Alix family who was staying at the Rotary Flames House while their son was hospitalized for cancer, and eventually passed.
“That place provided something really special for them,” said Meston. “That place is something near and dear to our hearts.”
She added that the Tees 4H Wranglers helped and many volunteers in the area helped with the steer riding and barrel racing fundraiser Monday.
“It gave everybody a good feeling at the of the day.”
