Thrills, spills & chills at Kainai

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One of the favorite stops on both the powwow trail and rodeo circuit is Kainai Days Summer Powwow, Rodeo and Fair that was held in Stand Off, Alta. on July 19 to 21.

The weekend proved to be a hot and dusty one, but that didn't slow the dancers or the cowboys down.

This year's Kainai rodeo roster listed some of the top names on the Indian rodeo circuit, plus those making their way through the ranks. The cowboys and cowgirls are all collecting points towards the 2002 Indian National Finals Rodeo that will be held in California.

With contestants from Montana, Saskatchewan and Alberta, the weekend was full of all the thrills and spills that makes rodeo famous.

The dry ground made for some great times in the barrel racing. Young Raven Shade from Montana was well mounted on her big bay horse, showing the ladies how the pattern's supposed to be done, with a 17.75 second run in the junior barrel racing on Saturday.

In calf roping, Slim Crayton managed a blazing 9.8 to take the fasted time of the day. Sadie Johnson wrapped things up in the ladies break away roping with an impressive 3.9 second run.

The rough stock was excellent this year, giving the cowboys a good run for the money. Dean MacDonald teamed up well with a high kicking roan horse in the saddle bronc for a 73 point ride. Tuck Johnson showed what he was made of with an impressive 71 point ride in the boys steer riding.

The spine tingling, event of bull riding was as crowd pleasing as ever with as many cheering for the bulls as there were for the cowboys. Though bulls outdid most of the cowboys, David Alexander was able to make the eight seconds aboard a fast spinning bull for a 71 point ride.

The weekend wrapped up with awards and an honor dance for all the rodeo contestants at the powwow.

With midway rides for the excitements seekers at the fair, Indian taco's, drumming and dancing at the powwow to dusty rides and wrecks at the rodeo, Kainai days summer Powwow, Rodeo and Fair had something to offer everyone's taste in fun.