Cowboys near and far gathered for the Bucking Horse Jackpot held at Jack Palmantier’s ranch at Riske Creek Aug. 27/28.
Chona Archachan, Josh Klassen and Hugh Loring organized the event with Jack donating the phenomenal bucking horses for the cowboys to ride.
Saturday turned out to be a beautiful, hot sunny day. The horses were restless in the pens while the bronc riders were fidgety behind the chutes.
Chona and Josh were the pick-up men while Jack Palmantier and Clinton Palmantier judged the jackpot, as Karen Coldwell was the timer and the first-aid attendant for the jackpot.
The 10 eager bronc riders included Cameron Jacobs (Merritt), Rial Pate (Merritt), Mark Elliot (Merritt), Riley Miller (Saskatchewan), Jory Holmes (Merritt), Quinton Palmantier (Riske Creek), Jeff Johnny (Riske Creek), Wacey Marr (Gang Ranch), Darcy Gentles (Williams Lake) and Garrett Madley (Alexis Creek).
Riley Miller travelled all the way from Saskatchewan to participate in the jackpot.
As the bucking horses were being sorted out and loaded in the chutes; Shiloa Bradburn took the entry fee and the money from the cowboys.
The cowboys had a choice to either ride their everyday cowboy saddle or to use a bronc saddle.
Each cowboy got on two bucking horses, except for Garrett Madley, who rode three horses as he was unable to make it back to the jackpot Sunday.
Garrett was the only cowboy to ride in a saddle bronc saddle.
Money was paid out daily and then on an average.
Saturday’s winners included first place Riley Miller, second place Rial Pate and third place Cameron Jacobs.
Once all the saddles and bucking horses were put away for the night the cowboys enjoyed a barbecue dinner. One guy you cannot keep away from the barbecue is Hugh Loring, who barbecued burgers to mouth-watering perfection, which was served with salads provided by Karen Coldwell and Shelly Loring.
After dinner the cowboys settled down by the fire which was piled high with “Bs” logs to talk about the rides that were made during the day, compared rides and the usual “shoulda-could’a, if-only” tales and generally just swap stories and such. The best part of the day was the dinner, the fire and camaraderie of friends.
Sunday brought some sore cowboys from wrecks from the day before but everybody was still anxious to get on some more bucking horses and ride that son of a gun and win money for their efforts.
The cowboys only rode one horse for the day. Riley Miller was leading the average coming into Sunday but he damaged his saddle on Saturday and had to use a different saddle which ended up coming off his bucking horse; causing him to buck off. Riley’s ride was the talk of the day.
There were only two successful bronc rides for the day which included Cameron Jacobs taking first place and Wacey Marr taking second place. Cameron Jacobs won the average overall for the weekend with Wacey Marr taking second place and Riley Miller in the crying hole.
The “Old Time Bronc Riders” were very impressed with the “effort and try” that these cowboys put out.
A special thank you to Jack Palmantier for donating his rodeo arena and for providing exceptional bucking horses for the cowboys to ride. We would also like to thank the Nicola Valley Ranch Rodeo committee for donating $200 and Racquel Russell for donating rein chains (attach to the bridal) to give as awards to the successful competitors for the weekend.
This event was such a success the next Jackpot will be Oct. 1-2 in Deadman’s Creek, near Cache Creek. There will be $300 added and the entry fee is $75. a day. Bucking horses will be provided by S and E Contracting and Rafter 3 (Jack Palmantier). Cowboys can ride with their every-day saddle or a bronc saddle. For more information or to enter contact Chona Archachan at 250-378-2123 or Josh Klassen at 250-378-6130.