RALSTON, AB — Military personnel had a chance to relax over the weekend at the 39th annual Ralston Rodeo.
It was a chance for Canadian and British soldiers to mingle, and enjoy some time with their families.
Families had the chance to watch professional bull riding, barrel racing, among other rodeo events.
Capt Dane Findlay, rodeo chair, says the soldiers weren’t facing off against the pros but they did have a chance to participate.
“We don’t have soldiers riding the bulls today, we’ve got what we call the amateur hour. So we’ve got some calf roping and hide racing,” said Findlay. “That’s what we open up to the military participants. Everyone else is a professional.”
Among those professionals is Canadian Armed Forces member Cpl Phil Brunelle.
Brunelle is a world class show jumper and held a demonstration on the grounds to educate everyone in attendance.
He is originally from Quebec, but has been around horses his whole life.
“My mom and dad are horse trainers. Actually, my dad was my mom’s coach, so I think I was actually put on a horse before I was walking, said Brunelle. “Which was kinda dangerous for my mom, but back then that’s the way we did things.”
Brunelle has jumped competitively for over 15 years, and he has his eyes set on the 2020 Olympic Summer Games in Tokyo, Japan.
If he qualifies, Brunelle would be the first Canadian Armed Forces member to compete in an equestrian event at the Olympics in over 100 years.
“I think I’m pretty much the only one since the beginning of history to be an NCO representative of the military,” said Brunelle. “A lot of people (are) doing it around the world. I’m the only one doing it for North America and I’m pretty sure I’m the only one for (the) Canadian army, since at least 100 years ago.”
Brunelle is currently working his way through the national and then international qualifiers.
Although Brunelle wasn’t jumping on Saturday, Findlay had to have him run a demonstration for the audience.
“We had to showcase him at our rodeo, we’ve got some guy here who’s an Olympic hopeful so he’s competing on the world stage for sure. To give you an idea of the caliber, yeah he’s that high up.”
Brunelle goal isn’t just to compete at the Olympics. For those involved in equestrian there an even more prestigious event.
“Nations cup is the highest level that you can reach in the horse business,” said Brunelle. “First step is the Olympics 2020. Get our national qualification this year, next year, and hope for the best.”
For now, Brunelle will continue to balance his responsibilities at CFB Suffield while working towards his Olympic goal.
