Manitoba High School Rodeo Association
Junior High Rodeo Division

"On The Rail" with Darrell Nesbitt, media representative for MHSRA

Manitoba Hosting Canadian Finals in 2010

By DARRELL NESBITT

MHSRA Media Rep.

With Manitoba hosting the 2010 Canadian High School Rodeo Finals (CHSRF) in August, this summer will be a special one for members of the Manitoba High School Rodeo Association.

Putting forth a lot of energy, commitment and excitement in hosting the Canadians, the MHSRA is looking forward to working with the community of Virden chosen to host this special Manitoba moment. Located in the southwestern part of the province, the area has a rich heritage in high school rodeo and the sport of rodeo in general. This season approximately one-third of the students competing within the MHSRA call this region of the province home.

The welcome mat will be rolled out to teams of athletes and their families from British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario and the host province, Manitoba, for three days of top-notch rodeo action and activities over the dates of Thursday, Aug. 5 to Saturday, Aug. 7. The Canadian finals will also be held on Manitoba soil in 2011 and possibly 2012, as it’s an option year.

Unlike the popular Virden Indoor Rodeo, also held in August, the Canadians highlighting the traditional high school rodeo events plus both girl’s and boy’s cutting, will be staged outdoors.

“Members of the Virden Agricultural Society and Virden Indoor Rodeo and Wild West Daze committee volunteers began building the new rodeo arena in the fairgrounds in the fall,” said Canadian Finals Host Committee Chairman, Orville Brown of Lenore. “The outdoor arena will be set up semi-permanently. The only time the fencing will be dismantled is for the Virden Indoor Rodeo.” Juniors may be added.

While it’s a major undertaking in hosting an event of this magnitude, Kelly Lyng, president of the MHSRA, is confident Manitoba, and Virden, are up to the challenge with planning well underway. Heading up the CHSRF fundraising committee is Kim Brown, who can be reached at brownvil@rfnow.com, should you be interested in becoming a sponsor at this prestigious event that puts the emphasis on youth.

“If sponsorship permits we would like to add the Cinch Junior division (grades 6-8) to the weekend equation,” added Brown. “It would cast a new spin on the Canadian finals, as to date only high school students have been eligible to compete.”

Very grateful for all business and individuals who pledge their support to this event, the host committee is proud to announce these main sponsors to date: GM Mainline (Virden & Birtle) – team roping event, Lockhart Plumbing and Heating – bull riding event, Virden Agricultural Society – hi point cowboy and hi point cowgirl, Sunrise Credit Union – corporate, BDO Dunwoody Charter Accountant – Friends of CHSRF.

The Canadian finals bring forth approximately 200 to 300 talented young rodeo scholars together to compete for championship supremacy. Last year in Williams Lake, BC, Landon Lockhart of Brandon was among the 22 Manitoba students to make the trek out west. The eight-second cowboy who fancies nothing more than a fistful of a rank bull was among Canada’s elite to stake claim to a rodeo championship title. Lockhart, like other students proudly representing their provinces, will be gunning for a top five finish in their respective events to earn a trip to Virden and the 2010 CHSRF.

Inaugural Hosting
Although the MHSRA, a non-profit organization has been promoting the sport of rodeo and its values, since the fall of 1995, as August rolls around it will serve as the first time that the CHSRF have been held within the province. The Cinch junior division was introduced in Manitoba in the fall of 2004.

Graduates of high school rodeo over the years have aided in the growth of other rodeo jurisdictions such as the Manitoba Rodeo Cowboys Association and the Canadian Cowboys Association. Growth for these young, talented male and female athletes, however, may also come through the scholarship program. High school rodeo scholarships promote continued education as students begin their college or university post-secondary studies. In conjunction with hitting the books, a number of Manitoba students, along with fellow Canadian high school rodeo competitors, have been invited to showcase their outstanding ability in the sport at colleges within Canada and the United States.

No matter the level it can be said that rodeo is more than an athletic event. It’s a show that allows camaraderie to be developed between participants, personal goals to be made and met, and a lifestyle that highlights an impression of the West.