4 minute read
Bruce Stampede Delivers on All Fronts
Bruce Stampede Delivers on All Fronts
Michelle Pinon - News Advertiser
The Bruce Stampede Pro Rodeo delivered on all fronts, combining stellar performances and top notch entertainment to an enthusiastic crowd of 4,000 plus fans on July 30.
People come from far and wide to take in one of Canada’s oldest professional rodeos, and there were even some fans from the United Kingdom, Ukraine and Belgium in the stands.
As is the tradition a moment of silence was held for former Bruce Stampede Association directors who had passed away in the last year. Those directors included: Marlene Malowany, Rick Schmaus, Vicky Field, Jean Grinde, Norma Hogstead, Jean Bracha, Eileen Komarnisky, Walter Komarnisky, David Laube, Larr Clark and Rodger Foster.
Each year the Canadian Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame recognizes industry leaders in the categories of: Contestant, Animal, Builder and Legend. Greg Rumohr’s mother Grace, brother Reg, and sisters Lynn and Joan accepted the Canadian Pro Rodeo 2022 Legendary Achievement Award on his behalf. The late bullfighter was raised in Fort Saskatchewan and unexpectedly passed away in an industrial accident on May 11, 2015.
According to Cowboy Magazine, Rumohr spent many years helping at Franklin rodeos with Verne and Shane, and he officially started his bullfighting career in 1985.
In five years, he won the PRCA Wrangler Bullfighting World Championship, becoming the only Canadian to do so. Greg was the reserve World Champion in 1995, 1997 and 1999. He was also the Dodge Texas Circuit Finals Rodeo bullfighter in 1991, a Wrangler Bullfight Tour finalist from 1989- 97 and a Dallas Tour Finale bullfighter in 2003.
Veteran Rodeo Clown Ricky Ticky Wanchuk spoke reverently about Rumohr and said he helped in whatever way he could to give Greg his start in professional rodeo. Wanchuk was also given a standing ovation for his contributions to the sport and for winning the 2022 Canadian Pro Rodeo Specialty Comedy Act Award.
Two Records were broken in the rodeo ring as Leon Fountain earned a whopping 88 points in Saddle Bronc riding and Dalton Massey won the steer wrestling in record time, 3.1 seconds.
The Haeberle family from Viking is well known in rodeo circles and Karli Haeberle competed in the ladies barrel racing competition. “I come from a rodeo family my mom Jaclyn barrel races and my dad Kevin team ropes. It’s a whole family deal, my cousin Colby Bonnett also goes and she is someone I look up to be like both in and out of the arena. I would definitely say she is someone who I idolize.
I have two little sisters and my middle sister Kaitlin rodeos with me at the CPRA rodeos and is my travelling partner. I got into barrel racing just as a little girl my parents would take us to local jackpots and do gymkhana ever since I can remember honestly. I’ve had a bunch of horses along the way. The one I am on right now I call him Salty and he’s my main rodeo horse.
I filled my pro card last season and been placing here and there throughout the season this year. There is around 50 rodeos we go to each season all over Canada. What I enjoy most about the sport is getting to do it alongside all my family and friends, and just the feel of competing at a high level is also something that brings me joy and just an overall good feeling getting to be alongside some of best in the world.
Kaitlin is in her 4th year of nursing and has a horse named Nike she’s had a lot of success on him she won the LRA finals twice on him now and placed at many rodeos. This year her goal is to fill her pro card as well.
I have competed at Bruce two years now. It’s a cool feeling to have all my family and friends there. My grandma Haeberle is a home body and we can even get her out to the rodeo at Bruce! So, it’s nice having her watch us.”
