Extreme Cowboy Alberta (ECA) wrapped up its season on Oct. 7 and several of the competitors are now preparing to compete in the World Championship in Glen Rose, Texas, Nov. 1 to 5.
"The season was excellent, says ECA president Rick Wickland. "Really good sportsmanship, really good horsemanship."
Extreme Cowboy challenges a rider and their horse to complete a series of trail & farm-based obstacles.
It's a timed event that is tailored to age or skill level, with classes for everyone from Young Guns to Pros.
Wickland says they typically had 50 people compete in each of their events that begin with play days in January and February. Races began in mid-March. The majority of the competitors are from across Alberta, with a few from British Columbia and Saskatchewan.
Riders earned points throughout the season to qualify for the World Championship.
He expects about 14 from ECA will be competing in Gen Rose, with about seven of them coming from the Cochrane area.
"We always have a strong showing at the Worlds," says Wickland. "We make up about 12 per cent of the contestants and we bring home 30 per cent of the buckles.
Here on the grounds of the Cochrane and District Agricultural Society, they compete both indoors and outdoors.
"We have all as good obstacles and our facilities are as good as anywhere in the world, including the Calgary Stampede."
An awards banquet was held in the lower barn of the ag society. Recognized were:
High Point
Young Guns: Jordyn Brown & Gato
Novice: Blake Wickland & Chrome
Beginner Youth: Brianna Black & Mr. King Jett
Green Horse: Melissa Glowinski & Jewel Dunit Wright
Youth: Sophia Lowie & Remis Slidin Diamond
Intermediate: Jennifer Ammirati & Louie
Non Pro: Jennifer Ammirati & Louie
Ride Smart: Rick Wickland & Johhny Cash
Pro: Sophia Lowie & Remis Slidin Diamond
Season Champions
Young Guns: 1st, Sophie Garrington & Y'all Check This Out (Buddy); 2nd, Jordyn Brown & Gato, 3rd, Hayden Beebe & Max
Intermediate: 1st, Jennifer Ammirati & Louie; 2nd, Black Wickland & Chrome, 3rd, Nadine Dumont & Rico
Novice: 1st, Lorie Black & GS Prince Charming, 2nd, Blake Wickland & Chrome, 3rd, Alexa Birchall & Missy Unicorn
Beginner Youth: 1st, Brianna Black & Mr. King Jett, 2nd, Sophie Garrington & Y’all Check This Out (Buddy), 3rd, Sadie Johannesson & Colonel Bear Frost
Green Horse: 1st, Melissa Glowinski & Jewel Dunit Wright (Rojo), 2nd, Trevor Mertes- Aria, 3rd, Trevor Mertes & Emmy Lou
Youth: 1st, Sophia Lowie & Remis Slidin Diamond, 2nd, Tori Ammirati & Maverick, 3rd, Sophia Lowie & Smokin Sweet Babe.
Non Pro, 1st Jennifer Ammirati & Louie, 2nd, Shannon Luyendyk & Little Big Man, 3rd Tori Ammirati & Maverick
Ride Smart: 1st, Rick Wickland & Johnny Cash, 2nd, Brenda Glowinski & Reed’s Mystic Creek (Rosie), 3rd, Al Lemoine & Doc
Pro: 1st, Sophia Lowie & Remis Slidin Diamond, 2nd, Christina Hambrook & Kit, 3rd Nicole Hirsekorn & Miss N My Lucky Star (Sue).
Generous sponsors help to make ECA a success. Stepping up to assist were Cochrane Toyota, Cinch, Modern West Advisory, D&S Ag, Elevation Energy Consulting, Leduc Black Gold Pro Rodeo, OP Elite Wealth Raymond James, Tony’s Work and Western Wear, Greenhawk, Mr Mikes, Jented Ventures Inc., Alexa Birchall in memory of Pat and Brian Birchall and Deb and Rick Wickland.
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