Adrenaline, horsepower and a few French fries were all part of the action at this year’s Hanover Ag Spring Twist Off, where Carly Koop, host of the Country 107 morning show served up by A&W Steinbach, caught up with two fearless barrel racers and a local bull rider.
Held Friday night at the Keystone Agri-Motive Livestock Arena in Grunthal, the event featured a high-paced mix of barrel racing and bull riding.
Barrel racers Mary Ann Bosch and Kathy Johnston advanced to the finals with Johnston getting the win. Speaking with Koop, one rider shared a behind-the-scenes look at her horse’s snack habits — which include everything from apples to popcorn.
“If I had given her a mini doughnut, she would have eaten that too,” she laughed. “She eats apples, carrots, cookies.”
It seems like the adrenaline rush is a big attraction for this type of sport.
Joining the excitement was Mitchell’s Owen Wiebe, a last-minute addition to the bull riding lineup after another competitor was injured.
“Bull riding’s like jumping on a freight train going full speed,” Wiebe told Koop. “I love it. I’ll do it till the day I die.”
Wiebe said his preparation includes lots of stretching, but mostly getting on bulls and staying loose with his fellow riders until it’s time to compete.
“You joke around until it’s game time,” he said. “And then go from there.”
The Spring Twist Off delivered a unique, family-friendly night full of thrills, spills and a few surprises — including horses with a taste for junk food.
-With files from Carly Koop.