Mid-Western Rodeo returns to Manawa
By Holly Neumann
The 63rd annual Mid-Western Rodeo is now in the books, with a record number in attendance for the Thursday and Friday night shows.
One of the highlights of this year’s rodeo, held July 1-3 in Manawa, was the new ranch bronc riding competition, which kept spectators on the edge of their seats.
“We saw the ranch bronc riding at another Three Hills Rodeo and we thought we should give it a shot,” said Rachel Holzschuh, who helped organize the event. “We put it out on Facebook and got such a good response back. We could not believe the turnout.”
Competitors over the age of 18 were asked to bring their saddles, with everything else supplied. Typically, bronc riders have to hang on with one hand for 8 seconds for a qualified ride. In ranch bronc riding, however, a qualified ride is only 6 seconds long, with contestants hanging on with one hand or two.
The riders are not professionals.
“These are grandstand gladiators, your hometown cowboys,” rodeo announcer Roger Mooney said.
“I think they are nuts,” spectator John Asthrop said. “You could not get me on one of those beasts.”
The competitors included Faye Knapstein and Chelsey Hale.
“I had a younger sibling that wanted to do this, but wasn’t able to,” Hale said. “Part of me thought, ‘If he can’t, why can’t I give it a shot, just to show him I could do the same things as him.’”
“Watching all the guys bronc in high school rodeo, I always wanted to give it a try, but they wouldn’t allow girls to enter,” Knapstein said. “This is my shot to do it.”
These ladies were out to set the record straight in a male-dominated sport.
“I wanna kick some butt,” Knapstein said.
“I think a girl can ride a bronc just as good as any guy,” Hale added. “Possibly even better.”
Knapstein was the first to ride. She came out of the chute and went a short distance before getting bucked off.
She looked like a human arrow coming down head first into the dirt.
“In the chute it felt great,” Knapstein said. “Coming out, it felt great, but about two jumps in, not so much. It was definitely a lot more than I expected. I set out to kick some butt, but instead I got my butt kicked.”
Then it was Hale’s turn.
“When I got in the chute, I was a little nervous because the horse was pinching my leg,” she said. “When I nodded my head, I was feeling pretty good. I did not even get as far as Faye did. I agree with her. It was a lot more than I expected.”
Both were glad they gave it a try and agreed they would definitely try it again.
“Now I know what to expect,” Hale said.
“I learned a good lesson,” Knapstein said. “Definitely keep your mouth shut when bronc riding to avoid a mouthful of dirt.”