By June Norvila
Well, another successful year for the Bentley fair and rodeo has passed with lots of fun and memories left behind.
There was a good turnout for the pancake breakfast even though storm clouds and rain threatened on Thursday morning, but the clouds broke and the sun began to shine just in time for the well attended 45 minute long parade with a theme that honored the local Bentley Generals 2009 Allan Cup champion senior “AAA” hockey team. It is said it never rains on Bentley's parade and it didn't once again.
The majority incorporated the Generals theme. Parade section winners as picked by designated volunteer judges were: in the Municipal floats category the Town of Sylvan Lake, winners of the organization floats, overall winner and best Decorated Float category - the Outlet Get-Together Club and for Decorated Vehicle - the Ponoka Shriners.
In the Commercial Section the Best Decorated Float was Altered Images, Best Decorated Vehicle was the Bentley General Store. Overall Winner was Altered Images.
In the Horse Section: judged Best Club was the Sunset Riders while both the Best Light Horse Drawn Vehicle and Individual Costumes went to Stealth, who was also named the overall winner.
Old Time Vehicle Section: Antique Truck - 1952 Food Grains Bank Fargo grain truck; Antique Car - Calvin Vig's 1928 Model "A" Ford; Classic Car - 1971 Cadillac Deville sedan of Gene Dunnwebber; Classic Truck- Travis Gillard's 1949 Mercury M-68; Antique Farm Machinery - miniature caterpillar of Jim and Terry Golley. Overall Winner: the 1971 Cadillac Deville.
Decorated bikes/trikes - the Hoskin family. Novelty with no horses: Carl Wine's 1928 Model "A" Ford.
Entries in the 43rd Bentley Rodeo were down about 40 from last year, but no one noticed, as it was still so popular. It took place August 7 and 8 in the Bentley Arena. Saddle and buckle winners include:
Town of Bentley High Point Saddle: Nyle Clemmer from Ponoka. Jr. High Point buckle: 15-year-old Justin Wagner from Leslieville.
Event winners - Bareback Bronc: TJ Stamp from Winfield. In Saddle Bronc there was a tie between Riley Poffenroth of Bentley and Jared Hart of Richdale. Bull Riding: Michael L'Hirondelle of Seba Beach.
Taylor Smith of Rimbey won Ladies Barrels. The 12 & under barrels were won by Jenny Massing of Ponoka, and the 13-15 barrels by Tynille Clemmer also of Ponoka.
Shane Peters of Rimbey won the 12 & under Steers, with the 13-15 Steers won by Justin Wagner of Leslieville.
The 12 & under Breakaway Roping buckle was captured by Keely Bonnett, Ponoka and the 13-15 Breakaway by Justin Wagner. Leslieville.
Tie Down Roping was won by Colton Foster, Drayton Valley. Team Roping winners were Dennis Samson and Quaide Wolfe, Ponoka, and the winners of the Wild Cow Milking were the team of Gord Gulick, Nyle Clemmer, and Trevor Purdie also of the Ponoka area.
A new trophy plaque recognizing long time rodeo volunteers was dedicated to Herb Baumbach, Martin Schneider, and this year to Willie Pogadl.
The winner of the Saddle Raffle was Reg Elander of Red Deer. The rodeo announcer was again Russ Finlay.
The Rodeo Committee made a $500 donation to Loretta Matthews and team members from Rimbey who are walking in the Weekend to End All Cancer event.
Without the multitude of great volunteers and the volunteer organizing committee, the Bentley rodeo would not exist.