Annual rodeo pilgrimage helps fuel town’s economic engine

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 22/07/2023 (862 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

MORRIS — Brooke Wills was calm and quiet as she saddled her horse, cleaned the grit from its hooves and affixed splint and bell boots to protect its legs. In the distance behind her, thousands gathered within the grandstands of the Manitoba Stampede.

“At this point, it’s just second nature,” she said, when asked whether she was nervous to compete in the ladies barrel racing event.

“We know our horses’ little quirks, we know what they like and dislike. It’s a very close bond.”

Minutes later, she would be pushing Famey to run a cloverleaf pattern around three barrels at break-neck speeds. Her goal was to complete the course in less then 16 seconds. If she could do that, she might make some money.

“It’s an expensive sport, but its very thrilling and very rewarding when everything goes right and you and your horse have a good run,” she said.

Wills and her sister drove nearly 2,000 kilometres from their home in Dawson Creek, B.C. to Morris to compete in Manitoba’s only professional rodeo.

On Saturday, they were among more than 300 competitors who descended on the rural community, roughly 50 kilometres south of Winnipeg.

By 2 p.m. the grandstand area, which boasts a capacity of roughly 6,900 people, was sold out. Organizers expected more than 30,000 people would come through the weekend to watch rodeo events, indulge in savoury treats and whirl around on rides in the midway.

For 59 years, the annual rodeo has brought an economic boon to the community and surrounding area. The associated exhibition has existed even longer, having started in 1898.

“As far as economic impact for the town, this is what they wait for all year long,” said Tim Lewis, rodeo director and town councillor. “Everybody is getting a piece of the pie.”

Lewis, 64, began attending the stampede when he was a baby and has never missed a year, he said.

Now he helps run the event as one of 13 volunteers sitting on the Valley Agriculture Societies board of directors.

The non-profit organization commits hundreds of hours and up to $400,000 annually to host the rodeo and exhibition. It recoups the costs by fundraising throughout the year, and with revenue generated from the event itself.

Much of that money is reinvested into stampede infrastructure. Most recently, it has financed refurbishments of the grandstands, which included repairing foundational support beams, restoring stairs and building accessible landings for people with mobility issues, Lewis said.

“This is a really unique event,” Lane Peterson, an official with the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association, said. “People are very engaged; it’s very loud. You can see the entertainment value… this is rodeo at the highest level.”

Peterson, a rodeo judge who attends events in Canada and the United States, believes the western sports world is experiencing a renaissance, with more people showing interest in experiencing outdoor events after the COVID-19 pandemic.

“People are excited to get outside and see some unscripted entertainment where you don’t know what will happen. That’s what, in my opinion, makes rodeo as good as it can be,” he said.

Not all were pleased with the weekend’s events, as the stampede met resistance from a small group of protesters posted on Morris’ main drag.

The group, which numbered around a dozen, bore signs questioning the morality of rodeo events. Their presence drew jeers from some motorists, and some comments of support from passing pedestrians.

Mostly people poured into the stampede grounds without appearing to pay much mind.

“It’s been OK. We’ve definitely had some people not excited to see us but… it’s what we expect,” said Danae Tonge, an organizer with Manitoba Animal Save.

“We’re having some conversations with people and showing them a different perspective of considering the animals going into this.”

The demonstration was spurred, in part, by the death of a horse who was injured and then euthanized during a bronc riding event at the Triple S Fair & Rodeo in Selkirk on July 15.

The group is seeking an end to all animal-based attractions at the rodeo, Tonge said.

“I know that Morris really depends on the rodeo, but it could still be successful if it wasn’t animal-based,” she said, pointing to the exhibition as a suitable source of revenue that would not put animals or their riders at risk.

Lewis was not surprised to learn of the protest.

“They’re always here,” the rodeo director said. “As far as what their protesting against… nobody wants to see an animal get hurt.”

Provincial animal welfare officials visit the site regularly to monitor the conditions of the animals, facility and emergency procedures. A veterenarian is on hand at all times during events, he said.

He is aware of incidents occuring at the stampede in the past, including in 2019 when a cow died during a cattle herding competition, but said the rate of injuries is “fairly minimal.”

This year, Valley Ag introduced an official animal care policy that is consistent with the standards set by the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association, he added.

“The animal welfare and safety is a large priority,” Peterson said. “Sometimes injuries occur, unfortunately. The reality is when those injuries happen, you just do the best you can.”

Cody Krentz who attended the rodeo with his one-year-old son Riggin, encouraged the protesters to attend the event, suggesting it may cause them to reconsider their position.

“It’s the big rodeo and fair event for the entire area, and I think it’s super important,” he said.

“I think maybe they are not as educated as somebody who grew up with animals and works with livestock day to day and cares for them. I think it’s just a disconnect; a bit of a misunderstanding.”

The stampede began Thursday night with a kickoff event and was to carry on through the weekend until Sunday, with the final chuckwagon racing event begining at 2 p.m.

tyler.searle@freepress.mb.ca