Returning to the Kinetic Exhibition Park in Swift Current rodeo grounds Friday night is the second annual Bucking MS fundraiser takes centre stage, bringing with it some of the top young bull riders and bucking bulls in the country, all in support of MS Canada.
The event was founded by local organizers Donavon Henrion and Tanner Allemand. Henrion was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2016. Wanting to make a difference, the pair turned their shared passion for rodeo into a fundraiser with heart and horsepower.
“We just took the idea and ran with it,” said Allemand. “It went well last year, and we’re hoping to build on it every year.”
The main show kicks off at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, but gates open at 5:00 p.m. for those who want to grab a good seat, a bite to eat, and settle in for a night of action-packed entertainment. Tickets are $25, which includes entry to both the bull riding and the cabaret that follows, all held at the rodeo grounds, so there’s no need to move venues.
Spectators can expect a fast-paced show featuring 40 bulls, many of which competed at the Calgary Stampede, and 26 of the top-ranked bull riders in Canada. Among the highlights will be the short round, where elite 3- and 4-year-old bulls will go head-to-head not just with riders, but with each other, as they compete for prize money on behalf of their stock contractors.
For those interested in an earlier taste of the action, the day starts with a bull futurity at 11:00 a.m. This unique event features young bulls bucking with dummies instead of riders, competing solely on performance.
Tickets are available at the gate or in advance at Pharmasave and Shaunavon Liquor in Shaunavon.
“It’s a lot of bang for your buck,” said Allemand. “And it’s all going to a good cause.”
All proceeds from the event will support MS Canada, helping to fund research and resources for individuals living with multiple sclerosis.