Jimmy Richards has many reasons to be smiling after the July 12 Foothills Kicking Horse Futurity Rodeo.

He believes the quality of both the horses and cowboys was the best ever at the sixth annual event and on top of that his horse team won it for the first time.

"That was the best horses on a whole [at the rodeo] and the best set of riders that we've had there," says Richards.

Eleven contractors brought teams of three horses, four and five year olds, and to finish on top is tough, he says.

"That's always the challenge, to get three to perform well on the same day."

Including his breeding stock, Richards keeps about 30 head of rodeo horses and when they're not travelling to rodeos in the summer, they're training with riders in the winter.

"It takes a lot of time going through them and taking them to rodeos and trying them and see what they're going to do."

It was Frank Wyzokyski's team that came second and the two teams of David Greene came third and fourth.

Tanner Young was the top cowboy of the night and Justin Berg entered twice and won both second and third.

Berg, by the way, is a veteran, having appeared at the Canadian Finals Rodeo several times. In fact, there were lots of top cowboys there.

"Off the top of my head, conservatively, I would say there were six guys there who are in the top 20 in Canada right now. It's by far the best set of riders that I've ever had."

Richards believe that will continue to be the case in the future. In fact, he no longer phones them; they call him.

"The longer it goes on, the more the guys are realizing the horse power is good so they're not as apprehensive. They aren't wondering what the horses are going to be like, they know they're going to be good."

Most contractors are now recruiting their own riders and, if necessary, Richards will find some. He says taking that route has been good for the contractors.

"The better the rider, the better your horse gets scored," he explains. "If your horse bucks really hard and the rider only rides it a jump, well your horses doesn't really get showcased."

Horses, after all, are the stars of the night and it's a way to show off their potential power in hopes of landing contracts at some of the most elite rodeos in North America. There were definitely eyes in the house taking a look at future prospects.

"There were a couple of seeds planted for sure and maybe some deals made. I know there were a couple of contractors who have stock at the Stampede that were there checking things out."

Young stunt riders Paynton Bensmiller and Piper Yule were part of the opening ceremony and did a halftime show.