May 25-26: Bonnyville Pro Rodeo

This past weekend I had the opportunity to attend the Bonnyville Pro Rodeo in Bonnyville, AB. I began my journey north on the morning of Saturday, May 25th and arrived in Bonnyville at 8:00 am where I attended the pancake breakfast at Brosseau's Deparment Store. Here I met the 2013 BPRCA (Bonnyville Pro Rodeo and Chuckwagon Association) Queen Contestants and helped serve breakfast with Miss Rodeo Canada, Gillian Shields and the 2012 BPRCA Queen, Amanda Griemann.

Bonnyville Parade with Miss Rodeo Canada, Gillian Shields

Soon after the breakfast was over we headed to the rodeo grounds to get horses ready for the parade!  I was fortunate enough to have a horse supplied for me by Luc Tellier named Joe. Although a very windy day, Bonnyville had a great turn out for the parade.

                         

BPRCA Queen and Princess Crowning Ceremony

Before that evenings rodeo performance we stopped at Express Pizza for some supper. It was great to sit down with Gillian, Amanda and the 2013 Contestants and talk about our year and answer any of the questions the contestants had for us! The rodeo performance began at 6:00 with grand entry and the introduction of the rodeo royalty and contestants. I also had the chance to help with chase out of the livestock during the tie down roping and steer wrestling. The entire day we were lucky and the rain managed to hold off! 

Miss Rodeo Canada, Miss Rodeo Airdrie, Stephanie and Becca with Luc
and his horses he brought for us for the weekend

We made a quick appearance at the rodeo dance before heading back to our wonderful host family's house to spend the night. Thank-you to the Vallee's for your hospitality and giving Gillian and I a place to stay! 

 

Sunday morning we arrived at the rodeo grounds at 10:00 am for Cowboy Church. After a great service we began getting horses ready for the rodeo. At the 1:00 performance we were again introduced during grand entry and helped chase out livestock during the tie down roping and steer wrestling. The crowning of the 2013 BPRCA Queen and Princess took place in the arena during intermission. Gillian and I presented flowers to the newly crowned rodeo royalty as well as the other contestants. Congrats to the newly crowned 2013 BPRCA Queen, Julie Jodoin, and the 2013 BPRCA Princess, Becca Winchester. 

 

Miss Rodeo Airdrie, Miss Rodeo Canada and BPRCA Queen, Amanda Griemann
with our Dodge trucks!


 


I had an absolutely amazing time in Bonnyville! The weather held up and it didn't rain once during the two days I was there! Thank-you to the rodeo and queen committee for hosting me, Luc for the use of his horse for the weekend and the Vallee's for being such wonderful hosts! Also, thank-you to Amanda Griemann, 2012 BPRCA Queen for everything! Couldn't have asked for a better weekend! 

 

Happy Trails! 

Nicole Briggs

Miss Rodeo Airdrie 2012