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Memorial Ranch Rodeo has another successful year

What better way to celebrate the life and legacy of an avid and fearless horseman than with an annual ranch rodeo event?
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The Kevin Hopper Memorial Ranch Rodeo was held on Sept. 10 and 11. (Photo submitted)

What better way to celebrate the life and legacy of an avid and fearless horseman than with an annual ranch rodeo event?

The ninth Kevin Hopper Memorial Ranch Rodeo event took place on Sept. 10 and 11 at the Rimbey Agrim Centre. The ranch rodeo was held on the 10th and the ranch roping event was held on the 11th. There was also a pancake breakfast, dinner and cabaret.

“It went really good,” said Meghan Speed, Hopper’s daughter. Speed said her father passed away in a freak accident in 2013.

“Ranch rodeo was his passion, so his friends decided to start a memorial rodeo in his honour.”

The ranch rodeo includes cattle doctoring, cattle sorting, trailer loading and cattle branding.

“There’s also a game my dad came up with,” said Speed. “It’s called Hooper Hockey, so basically hockey on horses.”

Her father’s nickname was Happy Hooper.

Speed said they also plan a surprise event each year, and this year featured a wild horse race.

Winners from Saturday’s ranch rodeo event include Parkview Farms bringing home first place, Wakefield Ranch in second, Alta Bar Ranch in third and Lazy S coming in fourth place.

The top male hand award went to Joel Stevens, the top lady hand went to Kendra Richardson and the top youth hand award went to Payton Schwindt.

Winners from Sunday’s ranch roping event include Crosshill Ranching in first place, Wakefield Ranch in second, Medicine Lake in third and Parkview Farms coming in fourth place. The top lady hand award went to Janelle Cameron and the top male hand award went to Christopher Klatt.