The southwest got a little more western over the weekend, with Mankota’s notorious Dean Anthony Memorial Rodeo.  

Many locals were tested to the limit at the Canadian Cowboys Association endorsed rodeo, with several hometown heroes reaching first place finishes. 

Shawn Williamson, a committee member for the Mankota Rodeo Committee believed the event went off without a hitch. 

"We had good entry and rodeo run, smooth both days,” stated Williamson. “We had a good lineup of contestants. The stock worked really hard too, definitely a good bucking stock that put on a good show for everybody. The weather was awesome Saturday afternoon. It got a little warm and when we were having slack, but we had a beautiful evening.” 

Williamson said that the rodeo had drawn a phenomenal crowd both Saturday and Sunday, as the spirit of the west was alive in the cattle-centric town. Williamson’s family faired quite well in the events, with him winning calf-roping, his daughter winning breakaway roping and junior barrel racing, and his wife winning the women’s barrel racing. 

“That is probably as lucky as we can ever say we're going to get...We also had a really good set of bull riding. There were lots of rides and the bulls bucked good. They put on a good show, and the same as the Bronc ride...A big shout out to all the volunteers and the people that came to support it.” 

Final scores and rankings in all of the events at the Dean Anthony Memorial Rodeo can be found here.