Submitted by:
Michelle Buck |
Sunday, September 8, 2013 saw 40 teams participating in the annual fall Blue Sky Team Cattle Penning Jackpot just south of Benito, MB.
Click any picture for a larger version.
The weather was perfect for cows, horses, and riders, and the slightly lower than usual turnout for teams meant there was no rush. After a late start, the 40 teams each took their turn against the herd. The cows were cooperative, and lulled everyone into complacency, waiting until after our leisurely lunch break to really put us to the test.
A few teams got a No Time as the cows challenged their skills, and one or two DQ’d with a roughing call for being “too enthusiastic”. By day’s end, everyone was moving a lot faster than they started, averaging 15-20 seconds faster in their second runs.
We saw some new faces amongst the old faithful’s on Sunday, both in the Youth and Open classes, and we were thrilled to have them. We also appreciate the teams that drove long distances to join us on Sunday.
A big thank you goes out to the crew from The Gateway in Benito for running a canteen and keeping us well supplied with fresh burgers, coffee and puffed wheat cake! No event is complete without food 🙂
We entertained a few spectators throughout the day, and a lot of cameras were in evidence.
A Side – 6 Cattle Penned
1st place – Andy & Jodi Suchoplas, Glen Foster – 102.77 seconds
Belt Buckles sponsored by:
M&M Café and Lounge, Benito
Riddles Plumbing & Heating, Swan River
McKay Real Estate & Auction, Swan River
**This team also had the single fastest run of the day with a time of 29.53 seconds.
2nd place – Jeurgen Schubert, Stan Foster, Barney Stehr – 112.35 seconds
Hair-on Breast Collars sponsored by Swan Valley Veterinary Clinic, Swan River
3rd place – Janie Galloway, Brian Hunter, Sharon Foster – 115.86 seconds
Bridles, sponsored by Swan Valley Dental Clinic, Swan River
4th place – Janie Galloway, Mark Fraser, Kim Parks – 118.21 seconds
Hay bags, sponsored by Schneider & Sons Insurance, Benito
5th place – Carmi Hrabarchuk, Stan Foster, Sharon Foster – 122.90 seconds
Cash prize, sponsored by Blue Sky Arena
B Side – 3 Cattle Penned
1st place – Janie Galloway, Mark Fraser, Kim Parks – 44.55 seconds
Sweet Feed, sponsored by Swan Valley Co-Op Agro
2nd place – Janie Galloway, Judy Anderson, Pam Nickel – 55.57 seconds
Club chairs, sponsored by Blue Sky Arena
3rd place – Gerry Pisker, Kim Kindiak, Brian Hunter – 58.17 seconds
Hay bags, sponsored by Benito Health Care Plus, Benito
Slowest Time on 6!
Jodi Suchoplas, Mark Fraser, Kristina Lies – 2:10:11
Travel Mugs, sponsored by Cook & Cooke Financial
Members Only
Gerry Pisker, Michelle Buck, Brian Hunter – 37.3
Cash prize, sponsored by Blue Sky Arena
Youth Class
1st place – Madeline & Kreece – 4:91:00 on six head of cattle
Blizzard coupons, $25 cash, and pick-a-prize
2nd place – Justin & Kreece – 1:59:75 on three head of cattle
Blizzard coupons, $15 cash, and pick-a-prize
The fall jackpot is our final event of the year, and concludes our summer series of weekly practices. We’ll be back in the arena again the first Friday of May 2014. For more information on what team penning is all about, and how to get involved, contact Stan and Sharon Foster at 204-539-2345, or Michelle Buck at 204-525-4304.