All roads led to the Byemoor arena it seemed as the small lane in front got packed with cars and trucks on Friday night, April 15 as the town held its 22nd annual event of bullriding, drawing some of the big names in the sport.
The winner on the short go round was Quebec's Eric Isabelle with 85 points, winning $2,970.
In the long go round, it was Dusty Glenn of Spruce View with 84.5 points who took the first spot winning $1,188, Isabelle won second place with 83.5, earning $891, Len Lefebvre of Ardrossan took third with 83 points and won $594, while Ron Hunt of Nanton scored 82.5 points and to place fourth winning $297.
"The bullarama was a huge success with 30 bull riders wowing the crowd for a winning spot in the final go around," said Anita Mappin, treasurer of the Sullivan Lake West Agricultural Society, which operates out of Byemoor. "In the final short go, Eric Isabelle from Quebec came out as the winner on the bull named 777 Super 7's owned by Maine Event Inc."
38 bulls were supplied by Big Country Rodeo, Midnight Bucking Bulls, Diamond 9 Cattle and Maine Event Inc.
According to Mappin, bull fighters Tyrone Mains and Dakota Sims did an excellent job of keeping the cowboys safe from the bulls.
"Over 400 people came out to watch the event," said Mappin. "The Sullivan Lake West Agricultural Society has been holding their Bullarama for the past 22 years and it is the longest running bullarama in Canada."
Every year, it is a rush to take the ice out of the arena in Byemoor so the floor can dry up and the dirt can be put in for the bullarama, said Mappin.
Held always on the third Friday in April, the event requires many hours of volunteer help and the use of equipment to have the arena ready.
"The whole event is run by volunteers who spend countless hours getting ready for it," added Mappin. "It is a big deal being the largest fundraiser of the year for the Ag Society."