3 June 2016 Stony Plain Rodeo

     Friday, 3 June was sunny and promising to be a beautiful weekend as we packed up our dogs and Grandson TJ before heading to Carrie's place in Spruce Grove for the weekend.
     We had been there last weekend so it was our turn to do supper so we stopped at Costco en route to pick up some stuff for the BBQ on Saturday.

     Besides visiting, I wanted to take TJ to the Kinsmen Rodeo in Stony Plain. We had been there a couple of years ago (2014), and we were looking forward to going again.  Recently I had started a web site at SMUGMUG.com with the idea of selling photos and thought the rodeo could possibly provide a jump start, as the action at these venues is exciting to photograph.

     The link to the site: https://donr-photo.smugmug.com/

     Friday the rodeo ran from 7-10 PM and TJ did not feel like going so I went by myself to see what was available for seating. There were a number of other photographers there with some pretty big lenses so I am hoping to be able to see their stuff on the internet at some point in time.

He had to grab onto the rails before the bronc crashed into them

     The lighting was great as the sun does not set until 9:45 PM these days which made for some dramatic shots.

Two young girls provided quite a show with trick riding

      On Saturday, TJ came with me as he wanted to go on the rides and play some of the games more than he wanted to see the rodeo, but it was nice to have him along.  We got there just after 1 PM which gave us a couple of hours before the rodeo started this day. The rides were the usual and I am thinking TJ has been to enough of them as his enthusiasm is starting to wane....

Houston Stuart

     There were a lot more people at the rodeo and fair today (Saturday) but we were still able to get an excellent spot right next to the arena.  The rodeo was fun, although there were not that many bucking broncos or wild bull riding which are crowd favourites.

The clown was excellent, a fellow by the name of Houston Stuart, who is an ex Bull Rider.

There were lots and lots of women in the Barrel Racing and I have had good luck photographing them in the past at the first turn....

This horse stumbled badly, but she kept her seat and finished her ride!

      We did not go to the rodeo on Sunday, as Darlene's Mom is coming to visit us in Vegreville so Darlene can take her to the hospital for a procedure.