Round up for Shaunavon Ranch Rodeo

Organizers of the Shaunavon Ranch Rodeo have announced a change in the date to its popular event.

The rodeo, an event designed to demonstrate a cowboy’s ability to perform various ranch-related tasks, will be held on June 21, 2014, more than a month earlier than its traditional date on the August long weekend.

The change was made for several reasons, including a crammed summer schedule that includes the Town of Eastend’s Centennial celebration, as well as the Frenchman River Gospel Jam.

“We’re hoping our new date will be work for everyone,” said Nikolina Jacob, a member of the rodeo’s organizing committee. “We’re looking to get another good turnout of teams this year and we’d like to see more people come out and watch the action.”

Last year, the unique summer event attracted a full field of 12 teams, and volunteers have set a target to match that number again in 2014.

“Every year the teams tell us what a great time they have at the rodeo – and the people who come out really enjoy themselves, too,” said Jacob.

This will mark the fourth year that the Ranch Rodeo has been staged in Shaunavon.

Ranch rodeos are based on ranch operations and completing the same sort of tasks that you would on a ranch.

Events being organized for this year’s Shaunavon Ranch Rodeo include Wild Cow Milking, Trailer Loading, Calf Branding, Team Doctoring (both simulated activities), and a Horse Catch.

The Ranch Rodeo is a team competition, featuring four-person teams vying against each other in timed events.

There will be some great prizes up for grabs at the competition, including saddles for the top team. The saddles will be displayed at local businesses in the weeks leading up to the rodeo.

The day-long celebration will also include a couple of fun rodeo challenge events for kids during intermission such as stick pony racing and wild ewe milking.

This year’s rodeo will also feature a team choring event in the morning. The competition is set to begin at 10 a.m. while the rodeo action will start at 1 p.m.

Both events will be held at the Ron Winquist Arena at the Rodeo Grounds.

A concession booth and beer gardens will  be part of the festivities.

Local volunteers on the ranch rodeo organizing committee include Curtis Jacob, Nikolina Jacob, Mike Lewans, Jen Lewans, Jaret Girodat, Ricki Girodat and Dustin Monson.

Anyone interested in signing a team up for the rodeo – or who wants to learn more about the event – can contact one of the organizers by phoning the Jacobs (306-297-2500), Lewans (306-297-6358) or Girodats (306-297-2252).

Organizers are also looking for volunteers to help with the event. Anyone interested in offering some assistance can also contact one of the above organizers.

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