Rodeo riders

Daren Walker keeps a sharp eye on his son.

The 40-year-old cowboy from Carberry, Man. grew up around horses and passed on that knowledge to his son Wade, 12 and his daughter Jessica, 10. Walker and his family participated at the weekend long Murillo Fair on Sunday, which was Wade’s first ranch rodeo.

While it may be his first competition, Wade knows how to handle a horse as he navigated Sandy, his 7-year-old horse, into the ring opening the fences along the way without having to dismount. However, ever the watchful father, Walker reminded Wade to tuck in his shirt, as improper etiquette could result in a $50 fine at some rodeos.

Wade’s experience came through barrel racing and tying up goats and will eventually become a full fledged rodeo rancher, Walker said.

Walker participated in rodeo competitions for three years and a member of the Manitoba Rustlers. One part of the rodeo includes a four-person team trying to catch a calf within a limited amount of time. Another event requires the team to milk a cow as quickly as possible.

Wade competed in the milking competition on Saturday, was able to get the cow down, and milked. Walker said he couldn’t have been prouder.

"He dragged on the tail of the cow and got right on him," Walker said. "We got the cow milked and got second spot. You have to feel pretty good about it. On the other hand, you have to keep it safe. I talked to him and said it isn’t worth getting hurt."

Walker said that for him rodeos are a family sport. The whole family participated from his wife, Bev who time keeps to his children riding in the competitions.

"We can all go to the rodeo and have fun," Walker said. "I think these horses are worse than being on crack. This is a very fun sport and the crowd really loves it."

Greg Huffman, 44, a rancher from Murillo, said it’s the first time the fair featured a rodeo.

However, the first day of the rodeo didn’t go so smoothly.

A downed horse kicked Huffman in the face at Saturday’s competition. He had a few cuts and bruises but no broken bones.

Huffman said the horse was trying to get up and while the ranchers were helping the horse, it lashed out and hit him and his friend, neither of which had any serious injuries.

"It is just the way is goes," Huffman said. "When the horse goes down it wants to get right back up."

Huffman isn’t a stranger to rodeo competitions and had participated in about five of them in Manitoba and was glad to have one in his hometown, he said.

For the crowd in northwestern Ontario, a rodeo isn’t something they see every day and residents could possibly being seeing their first rodeo, he said.

Traditionally, the cowboy and his horse are in separable. Huffman said it’s important to build a strong relationship with the horse and those in tuned with their horse from someone who isn’t is easy to spot.

"We just love doing it," he said. "We get to use our horses and get to play like teenagers again. A good relationship stands out. You have to be one with the horse cause if you aren’t then you`ll be on the ground and the horse will be doing his thing."

Murillo celebrated its 119th anniversary of the fair. Jack Everett, announcer for the horse racing, said the fair allows the community to get together to see one another and rekindle old friendships.

Everett said the fair offers something for everyone from old tractors, to the rodeo and carriage racing to rides for children.

"The weather is really cooperating this year," Everett said. "Last year on Saturday, we got completely drenched and the fair became a giant mud hole. However, the weather this year is really cooperating and we expect a really good turn out."