Extreme Cowboy Alberta (ECA) concluded three days of outdoor events in Cochrane with their provincial championship, July 28.

The provincial championships followed a play day and races at the outdoor course at the Cochrane and District Agricultural Society (CDAS) grounds that is unique to Western Canada.

It's been another solid season for ECA, says chair Rick Wickman, who won one of the events.

"It's been going well," says Wickman. "It has been lots of fun, lots of races, lots of people helping out."

Competitions take place both indoors and outdoors. While competitors may prefer one type over another, outdoor courses are quite common in the States. At the course here, natural obstacles remain unchanged from race to race, but there's always an added twist to the manmade challenges for each event.

Extreme Cowboy racing is designed to enhance the relationship between the horse and rider with an emphasis on good horsemanship. The pair take on a series of challenging obstacles that vary in difficulty for each skill level. It continues to grow in popularity, particularly across North America. 

Competitors come from across Alberta and British Columbia to compete in the ECA events here, earning points along the way for a shot at qualifying for the world championship being held in Glen Rose, TX, Nov. 5-10. The top 60 per cent of riders are eligible to compete at the Worlds.

Up next is the Cowboy Classic event at the CDAS grounds during the Cochrane Fair. It begins with a playday on Aug. 16, followed by two days of competition.

The regional championships follow Sept. 6 to 8.

Provincial championship winners were: young guns, Reese Gravreleb and Merry; novice, Connie Larsen and Tig; green horse, Melissa Glowinski and Jessica Rabbit; youth, Sophia Laule and Bliss; intermediate, Rick Wickland and Chrome; nonpro, Joanne Peters and Docs Shiney Sidney; ride smart, Connie Larsen and Tig; and pro, Trevor Mertes and Drifter.