It was a great way to kick off Cochrane's rodeo season with seven teams competing in the inaugural 'Average Joe Rodeo' on Friday (July 13).

Beginning shortly after 3:30 pm, teams representing Cochrane Dodge, Cervus Equipment, Half Hitch Brewery, Powderhorn Saloon, Rebel Comic Renegades, Milne Developments and Felker-Dunbar Law showcased their cowboy and cowgirl skills in the ring at the Cochrane Lions Rodeo Grounds.

Competing for championship buckles and bragging rights, teams had to consist of five people including one female and participate in at least two of the events which included the greased pig competition, cow riding, chute dogging, cow stripping, cow scramble and steer roping.

Kevin Firkus, Co-Chair of the event shares the Lions decided they wanted to add another rodeo event to the roster and thus the idea of the Average Joe Rodeo was brought to life. "We sat around and went through probably ten different ideas from tractor pulls, barrel horse futurity, bucking horse futurity and then we settled on this...an opportunity for some people who didn't get to be cowboys to come and try some of the events."

It was an absolute riot to watch and Firkus was pleased with how everything came together. "We were quite pleased with our crowd and the number of contestants knowing it was our first year. We knew we were going to run into a few hiccups here and there with the production but everyone had a good laugh and a good time."

Devin Petitclerc, a member of the Rebel Comic Renegades says their rodeo skills prior to this were nil. "We were nervous, none of us has participated in anything rodeo before. It was new and exciting, plus a little nerve-wracking. But luckily as a team and previously knowing each other we positively supported one another and kept the momentum going. It was a lot harder than we expected and we didn't place very high but next year, with a little practice, we could take home those belt buckles for sure."

Firkus feels this event will only gain momentum as awareness of this new rodeo grows. "Everybody that did show up said afterwards that it was great. Every team wants back in and we probably had ten or twelve different companies or groups say they want in next year, it's going to grow. We need stuff in Cochrane like this to keep the area growing and thriving like it is. An event like this brings some of the new people in town down and even an opportunity to compete."

The Average Joe Rodeo will certainly be one to watch for next year. For now, you can congratulate the Powderhorn Saloon who secured first place and proved they aren't just any average old joe's when it comes to getting in the ring.