WAINWRIGHT GOES TO THE BULLS
June 23, 2009

While a three-way split for first place in the bull riding at the Wainwright Stampede was slightly unexpected, it was 1,600 lbs of bull that stole the show.

“He’s just a young bull that I got from [2008 Canadian bull riding champion] Tyler Thomson,” says Big Stone Rodeo’s Bruce Sunstrum of Slip Knot, the black mass that twisted and turned two of those winning riders to 87-points in Wainwright, Alta.

“This bull is four years old now and he’s turning out to be a pretty good bull,” Sunstrum adds. “This bull’s been good from day one. He doesn’t buck a lot of guys off, and when they win they’ll be 85 to 88 on him pretty consistently.”

Albertans Kyle French and Brett Thompson each earned $2,958 for the chance to dance with the bull.

Vold Rodeo’s Big Valley was the other stellar black tornado in the first place split.

“He came from Nanson Vold. He was ranch-raised right here in Ponoka,” offers Wayne Vold on Big Valley’s roots. “I think them bull riders love this bull. I think if they stub their toe he’ll buck them off, but if they ride up they can be 86 or 87 points. He’s definitely a cowboy bull.”

He certainly was for Luke Ellingson. The Val Marie, Sask. bull rider was the third bull rider to earn 87 points and $2,958.

“I thought Luke – I was very proud of him. I thought he sat up and rode. He never got in any trouble, he just made a real smart bull ride. It was excellent,” Vold recalls.

A proven five-year-old, Big Valley isn’t as intimidating in size at 1,400 lbs as Big Stone’s Slip Knot, but “he’s got big horns and he’s rodeo looking. He’s just a good looking bull,” according to Vold.

“He’s going to be in Ponoka, and then he’ll go to Calgary [Stampede]. He’ll probably get two trips in Calgary, and then he’ll go to Strathmore,” Vold says of Big Valley’s next few charges out of the chutes.

Slip Knot is set to buck this coming weekend at the Airdrie Pro Rodeo. Bull rider Devon Mezei of Scandia, Alta. who currently leads in the standings, has drawn the bull.