The Similkameen News Leader
Sports Page - May 05, 2009
RODEO THIS WEEKEND!
This weekend's Princeton Rodeo will feature some top cowboys in the Team Roping event on Sunday, May 10th.
Brothers Cody, Justin, and Brett McCarroll have been team roping since they were old enough to walk and have numerous awards to prove it. Cody is 28 years old and enrolled in his fourth year of a PhD in English at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, AB. He has a Bachelor of Arts (With Great Distinction) and a Master of Arts in English. Cody qualified for the CFR in 2003 and 2004 and 2007. Over twenty trophy belt buckles, five saddles, and numerous other prizes testify to his talent and to his commitment to the sport. Cody's wife Trina is employed as the head of human resources for the City of Camrose The couple is focused on success in the university classroom, professional life, and rodeo arena. They are dedicated to Cody qualifying for the CFR for years to come and dream of winning a Canadian championship as well as qualifying for the National Finals Rodeo (NFR) in Las Vegas.
Younger brother Justin is 26 years old and has qualified for the CFR in 2003, 2006, 2007, and 2008. Justin is the 2006 and 2007 Canadian Champion Header. At age 13, he won his first one-ton Ford truck at a team roping held at the Agricom in Edmonton. He won the very same event the next year, adding a second truck to his credentials. He was the 1999 and 2007 Alberta Team Roping Champion and 2004 Canadian Professional Rodeo Fast Time winner with brother Cody. Justin has a BA degree and a BEd degree. He is currently teaching grade 7/8 at Cornerstone Christian Academy in Kingman, AB. He is married to Kendra, a licensed-practical-nurse working at the Stollery Children's Hospital in Edmonton, as well as in Camrose at St. Mary's. They reside in Camrose. Together, their focus is winning the 2009 Canadian Championship and qualifying for the NFR.
Baby brother Brett is 23 years old and has qualified for the CFR in 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008. He was the Canadian Champion in 2006 and 2007 heeling for brother Justin. He has won two horse trailers in team roping events in 1998 and 2003. Brett has just completed his education degree from the University of Alberta and hopes to get a job teaching in the Camrose area. He is a professional horse trainer working year round with his father, Dirk McCarroll, who was the 1989 Canadian Team Roping Champion. Brett is dedicated to making the CFR in 2009 with aspirations of making the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas as well.
Another well-known team roper competing this weekend is Troy Fischer. Troy and his family reside in Mayerthorpe, Alberta. Together, with wife Tara, Troy has 2 kids, Branna and Bryce. Troy is no stranger to the rodeo arena as well. He earned the first ever team roping Canadian championship at the CFR in 2000 which was team roping's inaugural voyage at the CFR. Troy is currently roping with Cody McCarroll and they hope to win another Canadian championship in 2009. Troy is a silversmith by trade and designs the prestigious buckles given away for winners at the Canadian Finals Rodeo.
This weekend's rodeo will feature the return of the Wild Horse Race, which is quite an amazing event to watch! There will be a total five teams competing in this event including Zane Ashbacher (Turner Valley, Alberta), Alan Puhallo (Quesnel, BC), Rob Johnson (Calgary, Alberta), Jason Martin (Williams Lake, BC) and Odell Maxwell (Calgary, Alberta).
The Wild Horse Race will mark the start of this year's Princeton Rodeo, which will also include bareback riding, saddle bronc, tie-down roping, steer wrestling, ladies barrel racing, breakaway roping, junior barrel racing, junior steer riding, team roping and bull riding.
The event starts with a Grand Entry at 1:30 PM on both Saturday and Sunday, May 9th and 10th at Princeton Fairgrounds. There will be a calf scramble and others children's events throughout the day and a dinner/dance Saturday night at 6:30 PM at Riverside Centre. Moms can enjoy a free bacon/egger on Mother's Day at the Rodeo, which will feature popular announcer Al Parsons, and Rodeo Clown J. J. Harrison.
Admission is set at $15.00 for adults ($25.00 for a two-day pass), $10.00 for Students and Seniors ($17.00 for a two-day pass) and children 12 and under free.
