It was a riot of rodeo events at the Big Valley Agriplex as the Big Valley Rodeo Association hosted their annual rodeo event on Friday-Saturday, May13-14 in memory of "Biff" Balcom, also known as the 'bull whisperer.'
In the bareback riding, Strawbs Jones took first, Jesse Lannin took second, while Colton Ouelette took third.
In the saddle bronc, Wyatt Thurston came first, Dawson Dahm second and Tim Costello took third.
In the bull-riding event Coy Robbins took the top spot, Tyrell Ward took second and Dallas Broster took third.
There was a junior bull riding event too, in which a cowboy who goes by the name K's Thompson took first, Riley Gagnon took second and Owen Berreth took third.
In steer wrestling, it was Quinton Brandon winning the overall event, followed by Jeff Heggie and in third place was Blake Newton.
There was also calf roping, which was taken by Lyle Kathrein, followed by Clay Creasy and Steve Horricks.
In the team-roping event Kody and Justin Potts took first place, followed by Taylor Wudrich and Justin Dubeau, while the third place went to Dalton and Justin Kraft.
In the ladies' barrel racing, Dawn Vanhal took first, followed by Bliss Peters and Jessica Vanbuskirk.
There was also junior barrels, which was won by Reese Pollit, in second place was Janae Wilson, followed by Paige Manning.
"The first rodeo event was in the early 1990s and then we missed one year but since then we host it annually," said Tom Cassidy, one of the event organizers and member of the Big Valley Rodeo Association. "We try and help out as much as possible with the local charities, so the funds raised go into supporting 4-H, Big Valley School, local charities and other rodeo-related events."
According to Cassidy, Balcom kept very busy minding the Red Barn, golfing, working on vehicles, maintainging grave sites at the Big Valley Cemetery that had no one to fix them up.
"He published two books and also wrote for the weekly Big Valley Whistle," added Cassidy. "This year the event was held to commemorate Balcom, who was a great friend of the rodeo."