With spring almost here and the weather clearing up for some warm-up clinics, Dawn and Monty Gertner of Big Valley hosted a two-day bucking clinic, Thursday, March 30 and Friday, March 31 at the Stettler Agriplex.
“It was an opportunity for kids aged five to 14 to gain knowledge and some experience in the rapidly growing sport of mini bareback/saddle bronc riding,” said Dawn Gertner. “In a safe environment with good horses and experienced professional instructors, the clinic taught the kids some basic skills.”
There were 14 kids who attended the clinic, from Stettler and area, including Vegreville, Rimbey, Saskatoon, Bluffton, Endiang and Tees.
Among the instructors were Wyatt Thurston, Kyle Rock, Darrell Cholach, Justin Meston and Big Valley’s Zeke Thurston stopped in as well.
For the clinic, the medic and registered nurse was Jenna Watson, while the stock was supplied by Kyle Stuckey.
“At the clinic the kids learnt safe dismount on ground and pickup man, besides controlling emotions and adrenaline,” Gertner added. “They were also taught proper body and spur positions.”
The Gertners are well entrenched in the rodeo community with Monty Gertner roping and Dawn Gertner barrel racing.
However last year they weren’t able to do much, as their son Whip Gertner had to be taken to the Junior and Little Britches rodeo.
“There hasn’t been much organization in the mini buckers in Canada and there are so many kids that want to try and do it, so we have been holding some practices with some great help and teaching them how to do it,” Gertner said.
During the Steel Wheel Stampede, the Gertners will be hosting another clinic with added money and prizes that will be drawing kids from all over Alberta, Sakatchewan as well as Montana.