By Sheri Monk

Under the leadership of Maple Creek’s Jason Pollock, the CEO of Agribition and a champion steer wrestler, the 2010 Canadian Western Agribition was another action-packed success.
Art Unsworth, the announcer for the International Stock Dog Championship Trials, says although Maple Creek’s Dale Montgomery didn’t win this time, he has enjoyed incredible successes at Agribition.
“Dale missed the sudden death finals by a mere two seconds, hardly time to change your mind. With top stockdog handlers coming from across western Canada as well as four American states, competition is stiff for the feature Indoor trial of the winter. Dale was recognized this year, for 20 years of leadership and being instrumental in establishing this trial at Agribition,” said Unsworth.
The second annual ranch rodeo competition was held this year and the Udal team from Maple Creek handily won the event, which the 96 Ranch team from Leader also competed in.
The CCA finals were also held at Agribition with several locals competing. Brady Bertram (Piapot) qualified on two of his five rides, but will surely be seen again at the event. Bracken’s Rylan Geiger won the saddle bronc event, brother Kyreon came in second. Maple Creek’s Tyler Gilchrist won the first go in the event during opening night, but was unable to hang on long enough in his other four rides.
In Team Roping, heeler Kevin Schreiner (partner to Leader’s Kara Trautwein, the couple lives at Medicine Hat) won second with header Brian Larson.
Jared Parsonage of Maple Creek won second in junior bull riding and Shaunavon’s Tanner Allemand placed fourth in the bull riding event, only able to make points on one of five wild rides.
In junior barrel racing, Cabri’s Bari Phillips won second, Maple Creek’s Taryn Parsonage placed third, followed by Colby Anderson in fourth. Stewart Valley’s Dannielle Dinius won the barrel racing event, which saw strong competition from all prairie provinces.
The trade show was reportedly slower this year, but had participants from many parts of the Southwest, including The Badger’s freelance photographer Jon Bowie, who was showcasing his western-themed photographs at Agribition’s new Cowboy Arts and Heritage Showcase. Magnum Fabricating, Smart Spaces and Slippery Moon Ranch were also at the trade show.

See pictures from the Agribition 2009 under Gallery