Big Valley’s all-round cowboy Zeke Thurston, the eldest of the Thurston brothers, was one of the shining stars at last week’s Halkirk High School Rodeo action at the Stettler ag grounds, which hosted this year’s event.
Thurston won both the saddle bronc and bull riding titles on the first day of the competition. He also competed in tie down roping and team roping events.
Other local competitors who stood out with their performances include Dani Potter of Stettler, winning first place in goat tying on Saturday, Aug. 28., the first day of the competition.
On the first day other winners included the team of Kolten Schmidt and Tyrell Gordon in team roping, Levi Lloyd in steer wrestling, Aston Zieffle in pole bending, Katy Lucas in breakaway roping and Kody Lamb in bareback riding.
On the second day of the competition, the winners were listed as follows:
Pole bending: Sam Smith; bull riding: Lane Hehr,; steer wrestling: Justine Wagner; saddle bronc: Dillon Berkshire; bareback: Lane Jamieson; goat tying: Jessa Galloway; breakaway roping: Brittany Smith; team roping: Kolton Schmidt and Tyrell Gordon; tiedown roping Colten Foster; Barrel racing: Sydney Dianes
At the end of the two days of competition, Sydney Daines of Innisfail, competing in barrel racing, turned out to be one of only two winners of both days.
The other consistent winners were the team of Kolten Schmidt and Tyrell Gordon who proved to be unbeatable in team roping.
Organizers said the results remained unofficial until sanctioned by the high school rodeo association.