- Alicia Erickson
June 2019- Jaden Holle

June was my busiest month yet!
I started the month in Grande Prairie, home of Keddie’s Western Wear and Tack,
who generously sponsors luggage for Miss Rodeo Canada. I participated in the grand
entry and was excited to be there for the crowning of the 2019 Queen, Emily
Roessler and Princess, Emily Henschel, Congratulations. Grande Prairie put on an
exciting rodeo with a 90-point bull ride from Jacob Gardner and a 3.7 second team
roping run from Dawson and Dillon Graham. I will fondly remember this rodeo as
the place where I participated in the wild pony race for the first time. I’ll let you
decide if it was a qualified ride!
On my way home I stopped in at 840 CFCW to let all you listeners know where you
can expect to see me during the summer rodeo run. Make sure to tune it to find out
where I’ll be!
Next was Calgary for the ATB Spruce Meadows Cup. I had a fun night taking in the
1.55m class from the Canada House along with special guests of ATB. Beezie
Madden took home the cup, which was special, as my own trainer had been working
with her for the summer.
Along with the weekend came the Brooks Kinsmen rodeo. Miss Rodeo Sundre,
Jayden Calvert, Medicine Hat Stampede Queen and Princess Haley Schlenker and
Abby Perrett and the Dunmore Equestrian Centre Little Britches Rodeo Sweetheart
Tenley Warburton all attended. Together we visited the local school, danced and
sang at the nursing home and participated in the Little Britches Rodeo. I found out I
am quite good at catching greased piglets!
Later that week I headed to Airdrie, Alberta, home of the Canadian Professional
Rodeo Association. I spent the day with the CPRA staff taking entries for the Airdrie
rodeo, learning about payouts, memberships, stock draws, and everything there is
to know about sanctioning rodeos. After that day, I have a new appreciation for
everything it takes to put on a rodeo and all the moving parts. Thank you to the staff
for your willingness to teach me and to you, the rodeo community, for all of the
work that you do to keep the show running.
Innisfail Chrysler is my generous truck sponsor, so it was an honour to head to the
Daines Ranch for the Innisfail Pro Rodeo. I was officially presented with my truck in
the arena and was proud to show it off as the barrel truck during each performance
and in the local parade. The rodeo was a nail biter as steer wrestlers Matt Mailer,
Clayton Moore, and local Landon Beardsworth all clocked in an impressive 3.9
seconds for a 1-2-3 split. My favourite moment was watching Stacey Ruzicka tear up
after her 15.927 second barrel pattern, as she realized she took first place, beating
Jackie Ganter’s 15.928 second run by only one one hundredths of a second!
In preparation for Guy Weadick Days, I visited Black Diamond school and two senior
homes in High River. I could feel the excitement from everyone as rodeo weekend
approached. Several of the seniors remembered me as a young girl, and it was
exciting for them to see me now as Miss Rodeo Canada.
The Wainwright Chamber of Commerce hosted me in their beautiful city. I had a
busy day between breakfast at ATB, visiting the senior’s home, the local school and
several businesses. I toured the military base, the local museum and of course I
always feel at home when I attend the rodeo! I had the best view watching the
rodeo from the back of the bucking chutes. Thank you to the Chamber of Commerce
for your generous hospitality.
It was a quick visit in Wainwright, as I had to take off to Sundre to celebrate the 40th
Anniversary of the Sundre Pro Rodeo. It was a special rodeo for me as it was the
hometown of my late great grandfather Roy Noble, who was part of the committee
that originally brought the rodeo to town. It was his legacy that inspired me to
pursue the western lifestyle and I was so grateful to hear stories about him and my
Uncle Jim who were both well beloved in the rodeo community. On Sunday, in
honour of the anniversary, dozens of Miss Rodeo Sundre alumni galloped into the
arena to do a grand entry once again. As they all assembled into the arena, it was
clear to see the rich history this town holds. The rodeo ended on a high note as
Edgar Durazo rode Calgary Stampede’s 557 Master Splinter for an impressive 92
points.
Finally, I found myself back in my hometown for High River’s Guy Weadick Days. It
was so special for me to carry the Canadian flag during a rodeo I had grown up
attending. It was the perfect end to a busy weekend.
The very next day I was off to Ponoka for Canada’s largest pro rodeo. I’ve sat in the
timed event box as a thundering herd of wild horses piled into the arena, I galloped
my horse past a grandstand full of cheering fans and I’ve watched some of the
world’s best athletes compete from inside the arena. Results will be in soon, and I
am excited to see who takes home the championship buckle from the Ponoka
Stampede. Stay tuned to see how it all turns out.
It has been a great and full month, and I can’t wait to see what’s next. See you soon!