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 Regular
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Location: Canada | ...ok ladies, where are the best places in Alberta for barrel racing (jackpots, amateur rodeo) including public arenas to work your horses? Any advice for someone who wants to try rodeoing but not quite sure where to start?
Yep I'm onto something... I wanna move to Alberta  |
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 Good Grief!
Posts: 6343
  
Location: Cap'n Joan Rotgut.....alberta | your best bet is the ponoka, red deer area.........close to a lot of nice arena's
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| Central Alberta probably has the best public arenas, ponoka is regulation indoors, Rimbey is building a regulation indoor, I heard it will also be regulation indoor.
Ponoka has jackpots about 2 per month pretty much year round, in the winter a year lease trailer series
There is also thorsby the arena is 96 wide they have jackpots all winter.
There are also some private arenas that people allow riding at.
There is an arena going up by Rocky Mountain house that will be 100 by 250 supposed to be done by November, hopefully we can get some jackpots there.
For rodeo, it seems wherever, the CGRA I believe are more south, WRA is more central north, LRA central east I believe, CARA central, FCA central south, then the CPRA rodeos.
There is also stettler that has a 80 wide arena indoor.
All these places also have nice outdoor arenas, and then there are also outdoor privates that sometimes have jackpots. |
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Good Grief!
Posts: 6343
Location: Cap'n Joan Rotgut.....alberta | what she said .................lol
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 Mature beyond Years
Posts: 10780
Location: North of the 49th Parallel | What Cheryl said. I live in Calgary, horse is in Strathmore area and I wish I could haul to Ponoka/Stettler all the time. I haven't rodeod CARA but it's a good ammy association to start out in. FCA is pretty competitive but they know how to have fun! |
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Regular
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Location: Canada | Thanks so much, this all helps a lot! And what about the north western parts of Alberta, like Grande Prairie? Is the Peace River Barrel Association any good?
Now I'm not wanting to move to Alberta specifically to rodeo, but it's a personal goal I have wherever I end up being...never grew up in a rodeo, pretty new to it (besides having an ex boyfriend who was a bulldogger and I went with him to rodeos every weekend, warmed up the horses in the pen etc) so how would you suggest to get started? CARA? I'll have a decent trailer (3 horse weekender) that I could offer to haul with someone else, split fuel costs etc and can learn by watching and seeing the sights more as a competitor while I let my filly see the sights too and exhibition. She's a good one, both her parents are proven rodeo horses. Am I on the right track with this or no? I've never heard of competitors offering "coaching" at the rodeos here so I'm stumped. |
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 Peecans
| ~PistolAnnie~ - 2014-09-04 7:22 PM
Thanks so much, this all helps a lot! And what about the north western parts of Alberta, like Grande Prairie? Is the Peace River Barrel Association any good?
Now I'm not wanting to move to Alberta specifically to rodeo, but it's a personal goal I have wherever I end up being...never grew up in a rodeo, pretty new to it (besides having an ex boyfriend who was a bulldogger and I went with him to rodeos every weekend, warmed up the horses in the pen etc) so how would you suggest to get started? CARA? I'll have a decent trailer (3 horse weekender) that I could offer to haul with someone else, split fuel costs etc and can learn by watching and seeing the sights more as a competitor while I let my filly see the sights too and exhibition. She's a good one, both her parents are proven rodeo horses. Am I on the right track with this or no? I've never heard of competitors offering "coaching" at the rodeos here so I'm stumped.
What kind of horse power do you have?
CARA is fun, but you can run in a CARA rodeo without a membership and the top couple places can be darn tuff. Finals is not "qualified" you his have to attend a number of rodeos, I want to say they rope it to one rodeo?
FCA LRA and WRA will run cosanconed rodeos and the competition all around is tuffer. I want to say if you win the season you can get your full pro card right off the hop. (Thats my plan when I get some good horse power under me)
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Regular
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Location: Canada | Bump |
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Location: Canada | della - 2014-09-04 8:56 PM
~PistolAnnie~ - 2014-09-04 7:22 PM
Thanks so much, this all helps a lot! And what about the north western parts of Alberta, like Grande Prairie? Is the Peace River Barrel Association any good?
Now I'm not wanting to move to Alberta specifically to rodeo, but it's a personal goal I have wherever I end up being...never grew up in a rodeo, pretty new to it (besides having an ex boyfriend who was a bulldogger and I went with him to rodeos every weekend, warmed up the horses in the pen etc) so how would you suggest to get started? CARA? I'll have a decent trailer (3 horse weekender) that I could offer to haul with someone else, split fuel costs etc and can learn by watching and seeing the sights more as a competitor while I let my filly see the sights too and exhibition. She's a good one, both her parents are proven rodeo horses. Am I on the right track with this or no? I've never heard of competitors offering "coaching" at the rodeos here so I'm stumped.
What kind of horse power do you have?
CARA is fun, but you can run in a CARA rodeo without a membership and the top couple places can be darn tuff. Finals is not "qualified" you his have to attend a number of rodeos, I want to say they rope it to one rodeo?
FCA LRA and WRA will run cosanconed rodeos and the competition all around is tuffer. I want to say if you win the season you can get your full pro card right off the hop. (Thats my plan when I get some good horse power under me )
I have a 3 yr old filly by a Frenchmans Guy stud out of an Oklahoma Fuel mare. Easiest horse I've ever started on barrels and digs deep when the ground is less than great (if the pen is muddy etc.) She's 15.3 at her bum and 15.2 at her withers, so a wee bit more growing to do. Having a young one will give me time to check out the rodeo scenery without the pressure of entering, but I know it would be good to slowly bring her along and exhibition her while I get used to everything too. She's ready to exhibition now, flawless pattern on this one. She's actually futurity ready too:)
What horses are running strong in the amateur rodeos like CARA? I'm assuming there's more bigger pens? |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 617
Location: London Ontario | Okay I don't want to Hijack this here and please feel free to tell me to get lost if you feel I am but I too am looking to move to Alberta.
I live in Ontario right now where the girls are tough, but no where near what they are out west.
SO is a mechanic so I am thinking he can get a job fairly easy, he would just need to re write his levels to be accredited out there. Are there many office jobs for me? Right now I am a PMA for a PM in the restoration business but I have done admin and accounting in pretty much everything possible.
We were also looking for the Red Deer area. Are there many company's who will help you move out there? We would probably have to rent a 1 bed. but we have 2 German Shepherd and most places out there say no animals so what gives?
I know owning a horse is much cheaper out there, as well as trucks as there is no salt. But what about living and groceries and what not?
Thanks so much in advance!! |
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Peecans
| ~PistolAnnie~ - 2014-09-05 6:44 AM
della - 2014-09-04 8:56 PM
~PistolAnnie~ - 2014-09-04 7:22 PM
Thanks so much, this all helps a lot! And what about the north western parts of Alberta, like Grande Prairie? Is the Peace River Barrel Association any good?
Now I'm not wanting to move to Alberta specifically to rodeo, but it's a personal goal I have wherever I end up being...never grew up in a rodeo, pretty new to it (besides having an ex boyfriend who was a bulldogger and I went with him to rodeos every weekend, warmed up the horses in the pen etc) so how would you suggest to get started? CARA? I'll have a decent trailer (3 horse weekender) that I could offer to haul with someone else, split fuel costs etc and can learn by watching and seeing the sights more as a competitor while I let my filly see the sights too and exhibition. She's a good one, both her parents are proven rodeo horses. Am I on the right track with this or no? I've never heard of competitors offering "coaching" at the rodeos here so I'm stumped.
What kind of horse power do you have?
CARA is fun, but you can run in a CARA rodeo without a membership and the top couple places can be darn tuff. Finals is not "qualified" you his have to attend a number of rodeos, I want to say they rope it to one rodeo?
FCA LRA and WRA will run cosanconed rodeos and the competition all around is tuffer. I want to say if you win the season you can get your full pro card right off the hop. (Thats my plan when I get some good horse power under me )
I have a 3 yr old filly by a Frenchmans Guy stud out of an Oklahoma Fuel mare. Easiest horse I've ever started on barrels and digs deep when the ground is less than great (if the pen is muddy etc. ) She's 15.3 at her bum and 15.2 at her withers, so a wee bit more growing to do. Having a young one will give me time to check out the rodeo scenery without the pressure of entering, but I know it would be good to slowly bring her along and exhibition her while I get used to everything too. She's ready to exhibition now, flawless pattern on this one. She's actually futurity ready too: )
What horses are running strong in the amateur rodeos like CARA? I'm assuming there's more bigger pens?
Car as webpage is www.cararodeo.com you can message me for areana sizes. Eckvile and drawing a blank are hockey areanas. Unless the new rodeo is there was no standard patterns when I ran there.
CARA is great rodeos for young horses. They are a little more late back you can chose performance or slack easier and no call back so you know when you enter. Its also a different format barrels are not always before bulls. Lots of time the stock chutes are empty.
The Delburne (I cant rember the mother association, I think LRA? It will be on FCA webpage though) is also a hockey areana also. Low 13s. You can local enter thoes rodeos I used to do that one. |
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Peecans
| MC1993 - 2014-09-05 6:53 AM
Okay I don't want to Hijack this here and please feel free to tell me to get lost if you feel I am but I too am looking to move to Alberta.
I live in Ontario right now where the girls are tough, but no where near what they are out west.
SO is a mechanic so I am thinking he can get a job fairly easy, he would just need to re write his levels to be accredited out there. Are there many office jobs for me? Right now I am a PMA for a PM in the restoration business but I have done admin and accounting in pretty much everything possible.
We were also looking for the Red Deer area. Are there many company's who will help you move out there? We would probably have to rent a 1 bed. but we have 2 German Shepherd and most places out there say no animals so what gives?
I know owning a horse is much cheaper out there, as well as trucks as there is no salt. But what about living and groceries and what not?
Thanks so much in advance!!
I live just east of red deer and do most my shopping there :-)
Theres lots of office / reception jobs for oilfield companies. I dont know how have they are to get as ive nerve tried but I see adds all the time.
Rent and pet friendly rent in red deer is hard to find and not cheep (from what I understand) right in town, but in not sure what acerages rent for. I dont see too many listed. Red deer in reality dosent have enfough housing for the demand, they are building building ton but finding a good rental isn't the easiest.
You might look into sroundi ng areas like penhold, delburne, eckville, lacombe are some places pretty close.
PM me if you want to visit about it or anything!
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Good Grief!
Posts: 6343
Location: Cap'n Joan Rotgut.....alberta | ~PistolAnnie~ - 2014-09-05 7:22 PM Thanks so much, this all helps a lot! And what about the north western parts of Alberta, like Grande Prairie? Is the Peace River Barrel Association any good? Now I'm not wanting to move to Alberta specifically to rodeo, but it's a personal goal I have wherever I end up being...never grew up in a rodeo, pretty new to it (besides having an ex boyfriend who was a bulldogger and I went with him to rodeos every weekend, warmed up the horses in the pen etc) so how would you suggest to get started? CARA? I'll have a decent trailer (3 horse weekender) that I could offer to haul with someone else, split fuel costs etc and can learn by watching and seeing the sights more as a competitor while I let my filly see the sights too and exhibition. She's a good one, both her parents are proven rodeo horses. Am I on the right track with this or no? I've never heard of competitors offering "coaching" at the rodeos here so I'm stumped.
if your in grand praire CARA rodeo will be a bit of a haul......you can look in to the abra (alberta barrel racing association) look in to the lakeland rodeo or wild rose rodeo associations........but still your best best for a lot of jackpot is the ponoka, red deer area............a lot closer and a lot less hauling......to get to edmonton from grand praire its 5 hours........
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Location: not settling | CARA would be a long haul, like she said ^. If I were you, I'd buy my PCBRA or ABRA membership or permit and hit up a few smaller jackpots, and then some bigger ones, you'll meet lots of girls and season your horse at the same time (IMO). The WRA has rodeos closer to where you want to be situated- you could always buy your local permit and that allows you to go to 3 WRA rodeo's :) |
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Regular
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Location: Canada | MC1993 - 2014-09-05 7:53 AM
Okay I don't want to Hijack this here and please feel free to tell me to get lost if you feel I am but I too am looking to move to Alberta.
I live in Ontario right now where the girls are tough, but no where near what they are out west.
SO is a mechanic so I am thinking he can get a job fairly easy, he would just need to re write his levels to be accredited out there. Are there many office jobs for me? Right now I am a PMA for a PM in the restoration business but I have done admin and accounting in pretty much everything possible.
We were also looking for the Red Deer area. Are there many company's who will help you move out there? We would probably have to rent a 1 bed. but we have 2 German Shepherd and most places out there say no animals so what gives?
I know owning a horse is much cheaper out there, as well as trucks as there is no salt. But what about living and groceries and what not?
Thanks so much in advance!!
Pm'ed you:) |
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| The grand prairie area, my understanding is the barrel racing practically shuts down for the winter.
For the Red Deer living area, you would be looking at 1000-1500 per month for rent, and you would have better luck without the dogs, most owners don't want to deal with the damage an animal can do urinating on the floor, shed control, scratching the walls etc so it is easier to say no pets allowed.
As for work in Red Deer mechanics jobs canadian tire, walmart, and dealerships would be the best bet. If your husband has a heavy duty mechanic or is a journey man mechanic his chances would be better.
For an office job, I'm not sure these are as available, you could call around or go onto red deer job shop . Ca and look |
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 Regular
Posts: 56
Location: Alberta | Like everyone else has already said Red Deer/Ponoka area is best. I live East of Red Deer and its about a 30 minute drive for me to get to Stettler and 1.5 hrs to Ponoka. Stettler always puts on a fun winter series and they have great prizes at their finals. If you go on rodeoclassifieds.com and click on Forums there is a tab there where jackpots can be listed. Lots of times Added money or summer series that aren't ABRA are listed there. Lots of people have their own indoor arenas that they can work their horses in. Most public arenas you do need to buy a membership to be able to ride in them or they usually have a drop in fee. But the membership fee would be worth it in the winter.
As for rodeos I would start in the CARA's since a membership is not required, just to see where you would fall in the placings and to season a young horse. If you feel that you need more competition you can always go to LRA, WRA and FCA. I know a few people that are in the CGRA and they love it, but most of those are in southern Alberta.
Good luck with whatever you decide to do! |
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Regular
Posts: 50
Location: Canada | doram993 - 2014-09-05 11:30 AM
Like everyone else has already said Red Deer/Ponoka area is best. I live East of Red Deer and its about a 30 minute drive for me to get to Stettler and 1.5 hrs to Ponoka. Stettler always puts on a fun winter series and they have great prizes at their finals. If you go on rodeoclassifieds.com and click on Forums there is a tab there where jackpots can be listed. Lots of times Added money or summer series that aren't ABRA are listed there. Lots of people have their own indoor arenas that they can work their horses in. Most public arenas you do need to buy a membership to be able to ride in them or they usually have a drop in fee. But the membership fee would be worth it in the winter.
As for rodeos I would start in the CARA's since a membership is not required, just to see where you would fall in the placings and to season a young horse. If you feel that you need more competition you can always go to LRA, WRA and FCA. I know a few people that are in the CGRA and they love it, but most of those are in southern Alberta.
Good luck with whatever you decide to do!
Thanks I'm really looking forward to meeting people to hit the road with and have some fun |
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