Bish back on winning track

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Tsuu Tina Nation bronc rider and pro-rodeo bullfighter Richard Bish is appreciating life more than ever after a near brush with death last November.

The popular 25-year-old Sarcee started having severe headaches after the IRCA Finals Rodeo in Calgary last October. Bish was eventually diagnosed with viral meningitis.

But hospital treatment and therapy didn't stop the headaches. Bish lost his balance, and his right eye slowly swelled shut. Extensive tests revealed a shocking diagnosis - Bish was suffering from a brain aneurysm.

A weakness developed in a blood vessel wall behind his right eye. Surgeons cut into his skull and stapled off the vessel that was ready to burst open.

"The doctors said I could have died, and that I was very lucky person. It was a very lucky touchy situation, I appreciate life to the fullest now. I didn't know something like that could happen. I used to take life for granted, now I understand the meaning of life," he said.

Bish got tapped off with a shade bronco by the name of "Billy Bayou" for 74 points to win the bronco riding at the Spring Rodeo April 24-25 at the Standoff Agriplex. He also took first place money of $268.

Local veteran Dallas Young Pine was the best of the bareback rider as he raked "Southern Comfort" for a 72 point effort and a return of $151 at the pay window.

Two young Peigan Nation toro twisters were the best of 22 bull riders. Lorne Many Guns and Stanford Little Plume each scored 74 points to split first and second place money of $468.

Spike Guardipee of Browning, Montana, former world Indian all-round, calf roping, and team roping champion, had a strangle hold in the timed events. He took home total winnings of $656.

Guardipee and Ted Hoyt split first and second place money of $412 each, with Sam Bird and Ken Whyte in the team roping event, stopping the clocks in a speedy 5.5 seconds.

Ray Augere won first place and $326 in the calf roping event, at 9.9 seconds, unseating Guardipee, who took second place.

The steer wrestling event went to another newcomer from Peigan Reserve. Shane McDougall slam dunked a steer down in 4.1 seconds to win $430.

Lisa Creighton of Standoff won the senior barrel racing with a run of 14.22 seconds and $314, she improved her lead atop the standings in the IRCA circuit to 90 points.