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Teams from across Central Alberta come to Rimbey’s Kevin Hopper Memorial Rodeo

The Rodeo was held at Rimbey’s Agrim Centre on Sept. 12
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R Bar Ranch took home the first place spot at the annual Kevin Hopper Memorial Rodeo on Sept. 12. Photo Submitted

This year marks seven years the Rimbey Agriculture Society has hosted the Kevin Hopper Memorial Rodeo at the Co-operators Agrim Centre. The event started in honour of Kevin Hopper and his love for the ranch life and Ranch rodeo. Kevin always played a big part in the farm community helping with family, friends and neighbours brandings each year. He was an avid horseman and enjoyed the excitement and competition involved in the yearly Ranch rodeos.

Each year we plan ranch based events for our competitors to take part in. They generally consist of events such as, Ranch Sorting, Ranch Doctoring, Trailer Loading, Ranch Branding as well as a fun event that Kevin loved to play Happy Hooper Hockey. We also try to incorporate a fun surprise event at the end of the day that is different each year. We have teams from all over Central Alberta and even from as far north as Edmonton. It is nice to see many local teams come out as well.

As the years pass we are looking at new ways to grow this special event to increase the number of teams, events and spectators come out to enjoy this fun day. It’s a nice day for people to come and see how things generally work out on the farm and or ranch. This event wouldn’t be possible without the hard work from all of our volunteers who put in a lot of work to make this day possible and all of the teams that come out to participate each year. As well as a huge thank you to all of our sponsors who help out with prizes and the ability to put on the rodeo, Dennis and Loraine Hopper, Sandy Pointe Resort at Gull Lake, Bronco Feed and Farm Supply and Red Deer Motors (Rod McWilliam) and the loving organization given to this event by Kevin’s daughter Meghan Speed.

1st place – R Bar Ranch

2nd place- Alta Bar Ranch

3rd place- Parkview Ranch

4th place- Cornine Commodities

Event Winners:

Cattle Doctoring- Alta Bar Ranch

Cattle Sorting- R Bar Ranch

Trailer Loading- SO Ranch

Cattle Branding- R Bar Ranch

Hooper Hockey- Z Bar Ranch

Corona Race- Cross Bell Ranch

Top Hand Female- Laurel Pole

Top Hand Male- Jessie Dial

Top Hand Junior- Logan Jordan

-Submitted