Final IRCA rodeo promises action

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The Indian Rodeo Cowboy Association, the longest running association of its kind in Canada, will be hosting its year-end 1994 Finals Rodeo here at the Agriplex, Oct. 7, 8. 9.

The three-day rodeo will feature the top 10 contestants in the final standings in all major events, including saddle bronc, bareback and bull riding. The timed events are calf roping, steer wrestling, and team toping, plus the ladies barrel racing.

The junior events are the boys steer riding and girls junior barrel racing for contestants 15 years and under, an added event will be the ladies breakaway roping.

The purse for the major events is $2,000, the team roping is $4,000, the junior events and ladies breakaway roping is $1,000 each, bringing a total purse with added entry fees to over $39,000.

Contestants will bring to the finals the total points they have accumulated from 10 IRCA rodeos for the '94 season in all events. The year end champion in the major events will represent the IRCA at the National Indian Rodeo Finals in Rapid City, South Dakota, later this month.

The second seat to the Dakota event will go to the finals winners in all events, the winners will be determined by the most money won over four performances - there will be no average.

In order for contestants to qualify for the IRCA finals, they must have competed in at least 50 per cent of IRCA rodeos for 1994.

Fort Vermilion Annual Indian Summer rodeo will be the tenth sanctioned rodeo for the year, so contestants will be hitting that rodeo to gain more year-end points. Or for contestants that have been to only four rodeos, but have enough points for the top ten, competing in the rodeo would qualify them for the finals.

Finals champions will each be presented with trophy buckles in all events. Year end champions will be presented with trophy saddles and buckles at the IRCA annual banquet to be held in Calgary, sometime in December.

To date, stock contractors and rodeo personnel have not been selected, but proven bucking stock will be a big test for finals contestants.

The performances during the three-day rodeo will start at 7 p.m. Friday, continue with two performances on Saturday and 1 p.m. ending with the final performances on Sunday at 2:00 p.m.

The finals rodeo committee is led by manager Brian Many Grey Horses, sec. treasurer Dolly Creighton. Others include Floyd Smith, Pat Fox, Lyman Tailfeathers, Barry Shods, Gilbert Black Water Sr., Boyd Low, Jeanne Blood and Rosie Many Grey Horses.