Winkler’s Aidan Harder is preparing to face off with a bull—and a crowd—this weekend at the Miami Fair & Rodeo, as part of the Heartland Rodeo Association circuit. While relatively new to the sport, Harder has already built a strong foundation and a clear goal: earning his first championship belt buckle.
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“I’ve been riding bulls for two years now,” says Harder. “My uncle and aunt own a farm, so I kind of grew up with it. But living in town, it wasn’t really a full-time thing.”
His bull-riding spark was ignited at a young age. “I want to say I was 11 or 12 and my parents took me and my brother to PBR (Professional Bull Riding) in Winnipeg for his birthday. I was mad -- I didn’t want to go... and then I go out there and I’m like, yeah, this looks pretty cool. I want to do this one day.”
What it takes to stay on
Harder admits he’s still working on perfecting his technique. “I have more confidence, yes. Still get very shaky and nervous as I’m getting on and I’m about to nod, but control—we’re still working on it.”
He credits physical conditioning as a major part of staying on the bull. “So I’ve been told core strength and leg strength,” says Harder. “You’re squeezing with your legs, and then after that, it kind of all just falls in line.”
Despite some early challenges—including a serious concussion—Harder remains committed. “My third bull ever, I got knocked out cold and I got a pretty nasty concussion. Doctor said I should probably take the summer off... I didn’t.”
Riding with risk and respect
“The scariest thing would be to get hung up on the bull,” says Harder. “Then you’re in for a whole new ride... getting stomped on, getting his head right near your head—it’s a scary situation.”
That fear hasn’t dulled his enthusiasm.
Practice for bull riding doesn’t just involve getting on bulls. “There’s this thing, we call it a drop barrel. It’s literally like a barrel on springs,” says Harder. “Other than that, you just work out and get on bulls.”
And when it comes to safety after being bucked off, instinct takes over. “That one came naturally,” he says, of his ability to sprint out of danger.
Rodeo camaraderie and competition
Harder is one of two riders from Winkler competing in the Miami event. “With a couple guys, it’s extremely competitive, but the group I’m hanging around with—we all just want what’s best for each other and are helping each other out.”
At this weekend’s event in Miami, riders compete in separate heats on Saturday and Sunday. “Saturday there’s 8 bull riders, and Sunday I think there’s 7 bull riders,” says Harder.
Chasing the buckle
While there’s prize money involved, Harder has his eyes on a different reward. “Most rodeos, it’s like $500 to $1000... and then every so often, I think there’s three rodeos in Manitoba where they give out a belt buckle as well.”
Harder hasn’t won one yet, but he’s determined. “That is my goal. I couldn’t care about the money. It’s the buckle that we really want.”
But besides a shiny new buckle, Harder is focused on advancing through the rodeo ranks. “We start with the Manitoba Heartland Association and then we go to probably CCA’s, which is all over Western Canada, and then probably BRC’s... and then you can get invited to the PBR’s from there.”
He’s already connected with riders who’ve made the leap. “Last year I did a couple BRC’s, met a couple guys and now three or four of them that I talked to are doing PBR’s this year.”
Catch the action this weekend
Harder will be riding at the Miami Fair & Rodeo on both Saturday and Sunday. “Saturday the performance starts at 2:00 and Sunday the performance starts at 1:00,” he said. “It’s just behind the arena in Miami, at the big grandstands.”
When asked if his family will be there to cheer him on, Harder replied, “They try to. My mom’s terrified every time, but they try to come out and watch as much as they can.”