ESTEVAN — The Energy City Ex kicked off the 2023 KCRA season with three days filled with rodeo action.
Dozens of competitors had multiple chances to showcase their skills and talent in bareback, tie-down roping, saddle bronc, steer wrestling and bull riding, as well as different levels of breakaway, steer riding, team roping and barrel racing.
The event attracted many spectators and provided Estevan with great entertainment.
"On behalf of the Energy City Ex. rodeo committee, we would like to thank everyone for coming and helping us kick off the 2023 KCRA season," said Rhonda Gillespie in a post on the KCRA Facebook page. "We would also like to thank everyone for your help in and out of the arena, everyone that jumped in and helped when you could help the slack and performance run very smooth, and your help with cleanup afterwards was unreal.
"Thank you and see you in 2024," Gillespie wrote.
Estevan Exhibition Association president Crystal Ross said the KCRA “loved our grounds, loved our community” and will be back next year.
“It's just a great rodeo,” Ross added.
Only unofficial results were in at the Mercury press time, and they are as follows.
On day one of the Energy City Ex Estevan Rodeo, in junior girls' barrel racing, Kaci Storle was first in 17.01 seconds. In ladies barrel racing, Lisa Madge was first in 16.51 seconds. Austin Thiele Iof Estevan scored 73 and won the bull riding. In peewee steer riding, Sawyer Cieckiewicz had 70 points to win. In junior breakaway, Blake Hedin was first in 5.0 seconds. In junior steer riding, Tucker Danberg finished first with a score of 73. In junior team roping, Lily Francis was first with a time of 9.9 seconds. In peewee team roping, Denym Mcphee was first with a time of 8.6 seconds. And in pewee barrel racing, Sydney Koolen finished first in 17.25 seconds.
In team roping, Jace Schellenberg and Kode McConnel were the winners with a time of 18.6 for two catches. In ladies breakaway, Lara Bierbach came in first with two catches done within 5.4 seconds. Cody Christman won steer wrestling on the first night with a time of 4.9. Matt Pick took home the tie down roping trophy with a time of 9.8. Casey Bear won the bareback with a score of 62, and there were no qualifying rides in saddle bronc.
On the second day, in peewee barrel racing, Lexi Cote came in first with a time of 16.9. Casey Bear won bareback with a score of 71, and Dane Pearson won saddle bronc with 69 points. Tim Highmoor won tie-down roping with a time of 13.2, and Fred Thue came in first in steer wrestling with a time of 9.7.
In team roping, Jace Schellenberg and Rudy Schellenberg were the winners with a time of 18.0 for two catches. Molly Maynard was the winner in junior barrel racing with a time of 16.34, as well as in junior steer riding with a score of 68. In ladies barrel racing, Delaney Mcphee was first with a time of 16.23, and Piper Bigney of Carnduff came in first in junior breakaway with a time of 3.0.
Dane Pearson won bull riding on the second day with a score of 82. Korbin Cross claimed the first spot in junior team roping with a time of 8.9, and Sawyer Cieckiewicz won peewee steer riding with a score of 69. Shasta Hanna came in first in ladies’ breakaway within 6.9 seconds for two catches. Lexi Cote was first in peewee barrel racing with s time of 16.9 seconds.
On the third day of the rodeo action, in team roping, Travis Peterson and Ryan Dunn were first with 15.72 seconds for two catches. Meg Sparrow won in ladies’ breakaway with 5.5 seconds. Piper Bigney came in first in junior breakaway with a time of 3.4. Corbin McCuaig was first in junior team roping with a time of 8.2 seconds.
Shelbie Lockie won ladies’ breakaway with 6.0 seconds for two catches. Lexi Cote captured the championship in peewee barrels with a time of 16.79. Angie Cross won ladies’ barrel racing in 16.12 seconds, and Harlyn Krasko claimed the first spot in junior barrels with a time of 16.47. Denym Mcphee once again won peewee team roping with a time of 17.1, which included a five-second penalty. Shana Froshaug came in first in ladies’ breakaway with a time of 3.2. And Leland Robertson was first in junior steer riding with 69 points.
Dane Pearson was the third-day champion in bull riding with a score of 77. Ryan Beierbach was first in tie-down roping with a time of 11.5. Cody Christman won steer wrestling in 17.3 seconds. There were no qualifying performances in saddle bronc. And Casey Bear won his third-in-a-row bareback prize with 62 points.
These results are preliminary and not official.
For more information on the results and standings, visit the KCRA Facebook page and their website at kcrarodeo.com.