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Lush wins bull riding event at Bentley rodeo

A Bentley teen who is making a name for himself on the handball court has also proved himself a name to be reckoned with as a bull rider.
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Ian Lush

 

A Bentley teen who is making a name for himself on the handball court, has also proved himself a name to be reckoned with in bull riding competitions.

Seventeen-year-old Ian Lush won the bull riding event at the Bentley rodeo with a score of 76.

Lush is excited about his win, and especially pleased that he won his first buckle ever in front of family and friends at the Bentley rodeo’s 50th anniversary.

“I grew up with the Bentley rodeo and it feels great to be able to win my first buckle on home soil.”

Lush was no stranger to the bull he drew at the rodeo, having ridden the same bull at the Gimlet rodeo last year. However, last year the bull, named Jiffy, emerged the winner.

The tables were turned this year, however.

“I had the best ride of my life,” said Lush.

The teen began competing in local rodeos as a youngster. He won a buckle at the Rimbey rodeo in 2005 and was on the team that won the wild pony race at Bentley rodeo in 2011. He then began steer riding, but switched to bull riding when he turned 16.

Earlier this summer, Lush competed in U16 team handball in Spain and Italy.

The team did well, placing higher than other teams from Alberta who had competed previously.

The athletes competed in temperatures ranging from 41 to 47 degrees, playing on outdoor asphalt courts.

Lush was named a first team all star at the national championships held in Regina, Saskatchewan July 29 to 31. The team will compete in the North America Cup the third weekend in October. He has also been invited to try out in the fall for the Alberta junior Men’s team.