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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2025
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Family focus gives HRA the edge
Continued from page 4C
With dedication comes success, and with success comes an event that people will travel home for. That was the goal Stolwyk said he and his wife discussed when they first decided to help with what was then a new event. “I wanted to create an event that my kids, no matter where they are in this country, will come back at least for that week and spend it with us an enjoy an event in their community,” he said. “I want people to plan their holidays around that event.” “And now that’s happening be- cause I hear that from a lot of peo- ple,” he said. During the event Stolwyk said he likes to take a moment to see people having fun. And when he takes in the evening social where organizers and volunteers gather, the reasons for their success become apparent once again. “They’re all in it for the same rea- son and that’s for our future and it’s HRA judging director Rob Man- chester said the industry is facing challenges but added that Richer is an example of what works. He too credited the volunteers. for the kids,” he said, Facing challenges “They have the best phenome- nal group of volunteers,” he said. “They’re willing to step up.” HRA generally hosts about eight rodeos per season. Higher costs mean entrants con- sider each trip carefully, deciding whether it’s worth the gas and the entry fees. Larger rodeos like Richer’s can also boast larger payouts, and that combined with a larger enthusiastic crowd makes it a desired location for competitors Manchester said. A lack of entrants has become a challenge in some areas. “We still have a lot of barrel racers, and we still have a lot of team rop- ers, calf ropers but it’s really tough to get the rough stock riders like your bronc riders and your bareback rid- ers,” he said. “When I started it was not uncommon to get six or seven
SVJETLANA MLINAREVIC CARILLON ARCHIVES Eva Wootton from St Adolphe wrapped a boa from Fraser Reptiles around her shoulders in 2024. Ensuring there are children’s events helps create that family atmosphere.
tough to get out there,” he said. “We really do our best when someone does sponsor us to really pump their name, their product because it’s get- ting really hard to get sponsorships now.” And while there are always chal- lenges, HRA’s website tagline is something many attendees at any of their event will agree with. “Time spent at the rodeo is never wasted,” it states.
like the weekend warriors, not the professional cowboys because all of us still make a living,” he said. “It’s more of an amateur type associa- tion.” While individual rodeos such as Richer are doing well at attracting and keeping sponsors, Manchester said it remains a challenge for the HRA. “I think every association, be it ro- deo, be it hockey, anything, it’s get- ting tough because the dollars are
and team roping, the now 60-year- old explained the various rodeo as- sociations that compete. The Canadian Pro Rodeo Associa- tion is what the describes as the NHL of rodeo. The Manitoba Rodeo Cowboys As- sociation would be considered semi professional, kind of like seniors’ leagues in hockey. And Heartland itself? It’s more like beer league, he said. “It’s more family oriented, more
at every event. Now we’re lucky if we get two or three.” That’s why the HRA added a ranch- bronc riding category. This event uses a normal saddle and allows competitors to use both hands. “It’s really made a difference be- cause now some guys are willing to ride because they can use two hands and they’re used to riding a bucking horse,” he said. A former competitor in calf roping
From field to feed
TIM SMITH BRANDON SUN
Silage is harvested south of Rivers, Manitoba on a sunny Tuesday afternoon.
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