Thursday night’s performance, the first of four days of the 95th Annual Williams Lake Stampede went off without a hitch.
The event got underway after a brief wireless microphone issue, and Kukpi7 (Chief) Willie Sellars of the Williams Lake First Nation welcomed the crowd and introduced a number of Indigenous dancers.
Sellars acknowledged last year’s shooting incident, which injured two people.
Both Sellars and the rodeo announcer let the crowd know there were people standing by if anyone was emotionally triggered as the Stampede returned to the grandstands for the first time since the violent incident.
While the stands weren’t full, the crowd was enthusiastic and helped along by rodeo clown Jayson Charters.
The Wild West Riders followed the dancers with their fast-paced flag ride, getting the crowd warmed up for some high-speed action.
A shorter rodeo, the night featured bulls front and centre, with a bull riding event won by Beau Garner of Arrowwood, Alta. on Wash Off with a score of 87.5 points.
Tanner Skene of Prince Albert, Sask. took second with a score of 81.5 on The Peacock followed by Denver Leitch of Grimshaw, Alta. took third on Blue Magic with 77.5.
There was a mountain race followed by a wild horse race, and then a wild cowgirl race.
Some pint-sized aspiring bull riders rode “mini-bulls” and local rider Hunter Rife won this event handily with an 80-point ride.
The evening performance was capped off with a “short go” bull riding event, with Tanner Skene taking home the prize money as the only rider to make the buzzer.
Rodeo announcer Tyson Pietsch pointed out the dignitaries in the crowd, with Cariboo-Prince George MP Todd Doherty, Federal Minister Harjit S. Sajjan, Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Lorne Doerkson and Mayor Surinderpal Rathor as well as Kukpi7 (Chief) Willie Sellars of Williams Lake First Nation all in attendance.
By all accounts it appeared to be a successful return to rodeo action, with crowds returning to enjoy the show, despite last year’s violence in the last moments up in the Bronc Buster Trade Show area.
The ice has been broken, to be followed by three more days, with a Friday evening performance starting at 5:30 p.m. with the grand entry of the Indigenous Riders and Wagons.
Saturday will kick off 1:45 p.m., and Sunday at 1:45 p.m. as well. There are many more events to check out over the weekend including Thunder Mountain Speedway races, Canada Day events and a Summer Street Fest.
READ MORE: Tsilhqot’in Horse and Bike Ride arrive for 95th Williams Lake Stampede
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