Rodeo association looks ahead to 2013

The Airdrie Rodeo Association elected its new board, and with a returning president and new vice president, the group hopes to continue the success the Airdrie Pro Rodeo has seen in its previous 45 years.

Returning president Aaron Braham says he is looking forward to two more years heading up the association.

“I really enjoy it,” said Braham. “It keeps me off the streets. Hopefully we can build it bigger and better in the next couple years.”

New vice president Laurie Perry, who has been a previous director of the Airdrie Rodeo Ranch Girls, and has served the past two years as the production manager of the rodeo.

“It’s the people. The people I get to work with are amazing,” said Perry. “I was born and raised in Airdrie as well, so I guess it’s kind of giving back.”

“First and foremost, there is the passion for the rodeo. That’s what makes me want to stay with it. This is the next logical step for me. I would really like to see the rodeo continue and for it to do that we need to build a core of good people who are passionate about it.”

With the organization set for another two years, Braham is looking to the future with hopes of improving the rodeo and the grounds, to make the event even better.

“We try and build it a little bigger and a little better each year,” said Braham.

“We can’t improve on the stock, we have the best stock you can get. We can’t improve on the cowboys, we have the best cowboys from all over the world. We had some pipe donated, so we are going to beef up the grandstands and build some new pens.”

“It’s all behind the scenes stuff. For us, it will mean stock contractors won’t have to haul stock out each night,” said Braham.

“It makes it easier to sort, it will make everybody’s life a bit easier.”

Another aspect of the rodeo that Braham wants to see grow is the prize money for the competing cowboys.

The Airdrie Pro Rodeo falls on the same weekend as the Ponoka Rodeo and Williams

Bringing the prize money up each year will help make Airdrie a priority on competitors to-do list that weekend.

“I cannot say enough about our sponsors, they are amazing. But in saying that we are always looking for more. Our costs increase each year, stock costs, everything. It’s like any other business,” said Braham.

“We want to increase that prize money, and continue to do improvements around the grounds.”

This years Airdrie Pro Rodeo will take place at the grounds west of the city from June 27 to July 1.