IT'S ALL IN A DAY'S WORK FOR BERRY
August 26 , 2009

Jim Berry didn’t have a whole lot of luck at the Lethbridge Whoop Up Days Pro Rodeo. The 2003 Canadian novice saddle bronc champion went to Lethbridge, Alta, expecting to meet up with Kesler Championship Rodeo’s Pack Rat, an eight-time CFR and four-time NFR selection. But the 15-year-old sorrel mare wasn’t feeling her best, so the Rocky Mountain House, Alta. cowboy got on Uptown Alley, a red and white pinto from Kesler Rodeo Co., and another CFR and NFR selection. When Uptown Alley came backwards out of the chute, Berry was awarded a re-ride.

Fortunately, the bronc rider doesn’t let these scenarios throw him off his game.

“In the position I was in, I was just trying to win money, and you have got to get on them if you have the option,” he said.

So when Kesler’s roan gelding Strawberry Wine fouled, Berry shook it off, and got on Smuggler’s Cove, but was bucked off before his eight seconds were up.

The first place saddle bronc cheque in Lethbridge went to Justin Berg of Marwayne, AB for his 82.5-point ride on Kesler’s black gelding, Coal Bank.

Berry headed north to Cold Lake, Alta. for the 10th annual Cold Lake Buck Off, in its second year as a CPRA-sanctioned saddle bronc event.

It was worth the drive.

The stock at the Buck Off is supplied each year by Shane Franklin, who usually brings in a group of colts for the first two rounds.

“It strikes fear in a lot of cowboys. They’re pretty wild, usually,” Berry said with a laugh.

“It’s so difficult to tell on a single trip what they’re going to do, but the majority were decent and have potential,” said Shawn Metchewais, rodeo chairman of the Cold Lake Ag Society.

Berry picked up three cheques in one day, moving him up to sixth place in the Canadian saddle bronc standings.

He had a re-ride option in the first go, ending up with an 81 for first place, and $1,188.

“The first round horse was a real good horse. I think it has lots of potential,” he recalled.

“He had a nice horse that jump kicked across the arena, and he rode him jump for jump,” Metchewais commented.

In the second go-round, Ponoka, Alta. bronc rider Luke Butterfield placed first with a 76-point ride and Berry went on to split fourth with a 70, earning $99 after another re-ride.

He finished up by placing first in the short round with a 77.5, picking up an additional $2,376 for a total of $3,663. Not bad for a day’s work.

Other weekend winners from Lethbridge Whoop Up Days Pro Rodeo include:
Bareback: Dusty LaValley, Crooked Creek, AB, 86.0, $1,790 on Kesler Championship Rodeo's Cabin Fever; Bull Riding: Aaron Gibb, Duchess, AB, 90.0, $2,273 on Harvey Northcott's Turbo; Tie-Down Roping: Steve Lloyd, Alix, AB, 7.4, $2,076; Steer Wrestling: (tie) Craig Weisgerber, Ponoka, AB, William Beierbach, Maple Creek, SK, 3.8, $2,081; Ladies Barrel Racing: Adel Hansen, Okotoks, AB, 14.60, $2,098; Team Roping: Murdock Keith, Westlock, AB and Scott Auclair, Ponoka, AB, 4.9 $2,999; Boys Steer Riding: Shay Marks, Sunnybrook, AB, 74.5, $512