The Daines family turned out in full force for the annual news conference previewing next week’s 51st annual Daines Ranch Rodeo.
Well, actually, there was one missing member, but she was busy competing in her high school track meet.
Sydney Daines is actually the one generating the most buzz these days in the famous rodeo family, even though she’s only 15 years old.
The daughter of Duane and Cheryl Daines has been ripping up the very competitive Canadian barrel racing standings early in this rodeo season, thanks to the family’s speedy steed Flame, and her own athletic abilities.
“They’ve been having a great year,” beamed her proud mother, a CFR barrel racer in her own right.
“We started out down in Washington and Oregon, and they just went right to winning.”
That winning has added up to almost $4400 in Canada alone, putting the young Daines third so far.
The cowgirl has been riding and barrel racing since she was knee high, but it wasn’t until this year her mother was ready to let her try the big leagues beyond the confines of the family arena.
“I felt this spring she was older and stronger, and not scared of Flame, because he’s got a pretty big motor and he’s a lot of horse,” commented Cheryl.
“He’s still pretty intimidating. He’s not for a weak-hearted person, I know that.”
While describing herself as the groom, and Sydney as the jockey, Daines will be sliding into the driver’s seat herself for a run at the Innisfail rodeo on her seven-year-old sorrel horse.
“I decided I would enter here. I haven’t really made a competitive run for a while. But there’s so much money, and it’s in my back yard, and he won it last year, so I thought why not go give it a shot.”
Friend and fellow barrel racer Sierra Stoney rode Flame last June, to split first at the rodeo.
But with two members of the Daines family in the hunt next week, there was talk of a household bet on who could turn in the fastest time, something most likely generated by Duane who is known to be a sharp hand around a card table or two.
“It might have been (my idea)” Duane smiled, coyly.
“I’m just trying to get them both pumped up. We’re having a little fun with it. It’s a friendly little competition, and that’s good.”
Daines knows about competition, as a Canadian saddle bronc and three-time All-Around champion before a rodeo accident changed his mode of transportation to a wheelchair.
Helping his father Jack with the announcing duties during the rodeo, he’s got the best seat in the house, but admits it’s a nervous one when watching Sydney compete.
“It’s definitely more nerve wracking than when I was riding myself,” he smiled.
“Especially when it’s a daughter. Everybody wants their kids to do well. She tries hard, and whatever happens, happens, but I’m awfully proud of her.”
But before both Daines women compete on their home turf, they’ll be making the journey this weekend to Ponoka, where Sydney will be competing on a different horse in the Alberta High School Rodeo Finals.
The Daines Ranch Rodeo is setting new records this year, with the largest entry of barrel racers at a Canadian rodeo ever, at 163.
That means to win first, will pay $10,815, which would pretty much pave the way to a CFR or even and NFR appearance.
That has attracted the attention of current world champion Sherry Cervi of Arizona.
“It’s the first time she’s ever actually entered Innisfail,” said Cheryl.
“So that’s kind of neat. She has amazing horses and she has to know it’s a good rodeo, for her to come.”
Another Daines working his way up the Canadian rodeo standings this year is bronc rider Kyle.
After a disappointing season last year, he took the winter off to enjoy being a new dad and playing hockey with his buddies. And now he’s back, and on a roll.
“I’ve already doubled my season earnings from last year,” he smiled, about his Top 10 position already. “I got on once at Olds, and I was 83 on my first one back, and it was all I needed. I needed that one horse to kick back and do good on.”
The Innisfail line-up also includes Olympic medallist skeleton racer Mellisa Hollingsworth, who is working on her pro rodeo qualifications, pursuing speed of a different kind this summer.
She races Thursday night. Fourteen time world champion Trevor Brazile will be roping again at Innisfail, after collecting two championship buckles last June there.
Two-time world steer wrestling titlist Luke Branquinho has also entered, along with all the Canadian contenders, who would like to make a large dent in their Canadian Finals Rodeo goals. The total purse this year is over $270,000.
The action at the Daines Ranch begins next Wednesday, June 15th, with the overflow slack going at 5:00 pm.
Then there are five rodeo performances, beginning nightly at 6:00 pm, with afternoon performances Saturday and Sunday.
Meantime, this weekend is the 40th Annual Rocky Pro Rodeo at the North Saskatchewan River Park.
Performances go 6:00 pm Friday night, and 1:30 pm Saturday and Sunday, with pony chariot and chuckwagon races running nightly from Wednesday to Sunday.