OLDS — COVID-19 put the Olds College rodeo team in limbo for about 18 months, but they’ve come roaring back, and that has head coach Guy Kelley excited about the remainder of the season.
When COVID hit in March 2020, the team’s season was suddenly shut down.
“We were all sent home, so basically our season was done then," Kelley recalled during an interview.
“We came back last year and we practised, but we didn’t have a season. We didn’t compete at all.
“And then come this year, things have opened up and we’ve actually have had a really good fall.”
The 23-member team turned in a strong performance in Vermilion about three weeks ago, then had huge crowds for their home rodeo Oct. 23-24.
It was especially jammed Saturday night. More than 300 people attended.
"The rodeo started at 6:30 (p.m.) and by 8:30 they had to close the doors because we were at capacity for the building,” Kelley said.
“(That’s) the first time in history I think we’ve been sold out -- record crowds. Standing (room only)."
Kelley estimates 175 to 200 people came out for the Sunday morning performance.
Sam Schellenberg, a bullfighter for the team, said the crowds – especially the big one Saturday night -- made him feel “pretty good.”
“I mean, I’ve never fought in front of a crowd like that,” he said. “I’ve done open roughstocks, which is maybe what, a hundred people? And never with an announcer either.
“You get that (crowd of 300) mixed with the Calgary Stampede announcer, you just get goosebumps. I still do.”
“Just from being basically shut down for two years, it was pretty neat on that Saturday night’s performance to look into the stands and see them packed like that and everybody was here to support the Olds College Broncos rodeo team,” Kelley said.
Kelley said due to the COVID layoff, “everybody on our team’s a rookie this year because nobody rodeoed last year. Even our second-years, this is their first year.”
When Kelley was interviewed, the Olds College Broncos rodeo team was leading in team roping and third in tie-down roping and bronc riding.
Two female team members were in the top 10 in the barrel racing and two others were placing in pole bending and goat tying.
"We’re doing very well,” Kelley said. “Our team this year, we have a chance to bring quite a few titles back when we go to the finals in the spring.”
Last weekend, the team travelled to Fort MacLeod for what ended up being the last rodeo of the fall.
Kelley says the team will now practise until about Dec. 15 when the Christmas break occurs.
They’ll practise again in January and February, then compete in rodeos in March and likely into April.
The finals occur May 19-21, 2022 in Brooks.
