Yellow Sun takes tops at first major '94 rodeo

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Bull ropes, chaps, spurs and the rosin bag came out of moth balls for the first major rodeo event for the 1994 rodeo season on the Native circuit, a bullarama in southern Alberta.

It was business for the 16 bull riders, who paid $200.00 entry fee each, to get on two head, covering two bulls got contestants another one for the top ten semi-finals.

From there, the top six advanced to the sudden death $1,000 ride-off.

Lindsay Yellow Sun, a 20-year-old Blackfoot cowboy from Siksika Nation at Cluny, Alberta, was the best of the field at the Memorial Agriplex Feb. 6th as he won the take-all bullarama prize money of $1,000.

The big win was a pleasant surprise for Yellow Sun and the fans.

Lindsay has been on the rodeo trail for six years, getting the odd pay cheque here and there.

This win topped them all and will certainly boost his confidence for the up-coming rodeo season.

Yellow Sun, a ranch hand who breaks and trains horses for a living, drew a tough spinning bull by the name of "Steamboat" for the ride-off.

The same bull had brought two other bull riders to the pay window the first two rounds.

"He came out really strong, and gee! He kind of got me off to the side.

"I had to really reach over him to get my balance back, and I was just praying for the whistle.

"I was lucky when I did hear it as he had me on the ground just after the whistle," Yellow Sun said of his 80-point ride. He was the only one to stay on of the top six.

After a 70-point ride on opening night, Yellow Sun won the second go with a spectacular 86-point effort.

It was the top ride of the three days, for $408, bringing his total winning to $1,408.

Yellow Sun plans to work the Indian Pro Circuit for 1994 plus the Foothills Cowboy Association.

His number-one goal now is to make it to the Indian National Finals Rodeo.

He has plans on getting his own ranch in the future.

When asked what he was going to do with all the money he won here, he replied with a smile on his face. "I'm going to go out and buy a bronc saddle."

Two toro twisters from Paddle Prairie, in northern Alberta, got a piece of the prize money.

Derek Martineau won $714, winning the first go with 82 points and placed second in the second go with 83 points.

Kirk Ferguson was third with 79 points on his second bull, pocketing $205.

Byron Bruised Head of Standoff won $306.

Chad Orstan of Browning, Montana won $205, placing second and third respectively the third go round.