Canadian Finals Rodeo 2005
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By Nancy Villegas
When I remember November 9, 2005, cowboys and cowgirls, beautiful horses and big cows, a lot of colours and lights, a lot of sounds and smiles come to mind. Wow! That night was a wonderful night.
During October, just two months after arriving with my son and my daughter from Montreal to live here in Edmonton, I followed the news of the 32nd annual Canadian Finals Rodeo at Rexall Place from November 9th to 13th by TV and radio. It was something important to me because I really like Western spectacles. I looked up information on the Internet about tickets and places, and then I went to Ticketmaster and I bought 3 tickets for my daughter, my son and me. I went back home so happy and gave my kids the tickets right after saying with joy: “Surprise!!”
A few days before November 9th, we went shopping for Stetsons and boots to complete our outfits to fit in with the atmosphere.
The great night arrived and we, three Colombian immigrants, dressed in our jeans, jackets, boots and hats, were in our way to that big country party at Rexall Place.
The ambiance outside was excellent because the people looked happy, but once inside the place it was even more exciting. Our excitement was increasing and I said to them: “So, this is our evening of spectacular theatre and rodeo.”
We took our places and waited for: ‘’O Canada! Our home and native land!” while country music played. Some minutes after the Canadian anthem began, the audience stood up and proudly sang about their country, culture, and history. Then, when the anthem finished, Ralph Klein, the premier of Alberta, gave a warm welcome to all. Afterwards, competitors, cowboys and cowgirls with determination and courage, riding spectacular horses, began parading around the coliseum. My kids and I exclaimed at the same time: “Wow!!”
After that beginning, the competitors started to compete for the title of Canadian champion of rodeo in bull riding, steer wrestling, and bronc busting. While my son took pictures and short videos of the bull riding competition, my daughter and I were almost biting our nails. Then, in the middle of the program, a Mexican cowboy appeared riding a big horse while Mexican music played. It was wonderful and I had mixed feelings.
The rodeo program was coming to an end and many people began leaving and once the program was really over, we left the place. Outside we talked excitedly about the show and all the pictures taken and walked through the train station to go back home with wonderful memories that last forever.
