It may have taken Harry Hodges longer than most, but he’s now living his dream — as a rodeo cowboy.
Hodges, who hails from the Holstein area, said that he has always wanted to compete in the rodeo circuit, but it’s only been in the last 18 years that he has pursued it.
At 54, he may be older than some of his competitors, but that isn’t stopping him.
“I’m making time for it now,” said Hodges.
Hodges will be one of many rodeo competitors who will be participating in the annual Western Rodeo Weekend at J & J Quarter Horses Farm, near Maryhill.
The Western Rodeo, sponsored in part by the Elmira Independent, is a benefit rodeo, supporting the work of the Canadian Diabetes Association. Now in its third year, it draws competitors from throughout Ontario, including Hodges, who is making a name for himself in roping events.
Hodges trains horses and teaches roping skills from his Holstein farm, while spending every spare moment preparing for the rodeo season.
“I love the challenge,” said Hodges. “I like the fact that this is an agriculture-based sport, and that it’s difficult to do.”
The adrenalin rush is also a factor, added Hodges, who also likes motorcycle riding in his spare time.
Hodges, who specializes in calf roping, said that he finds he is often in the position of having to defend his sport against charges of animal cruelty.
Nothing could be further from the truth, said Hodges.
“There are huge misconceptions out there,” said Hodges. “There are rules in place — any rough treatment, and you are disqualified, and fined.
“It doesn’t hurt the animal,” said Hodges. “If I thought I would hurt the calf, I wouldn’t do it.”
When Hodges teaches roping skills at his farm, he focuses on the roping skills that ranchers need to catch their animals that need medical help. That’s the heritage that calf roping comes from — an era when farmers had to have roping skills in order to doctor their animals.
In competition, though, it’s not quite as relaxed as it might be on a farm, when there’s more than one chance to capture the animal you want to get a closer look at.
Rodeo is also fiercer competition than many other sports, added Hodges.
“With rodeo, you don’t get three shots at the ball,” said Hodges. “It’s one shot, and you’ve got to make it work. When you get into competition, you’ve got to go out and gamble. That’s the challenge of it.”
Hodges, who earned second-place honours in last year’s calf roping, has struggled a bit this year to get his groove back. Even so, he believes he has a decent chance of success at the Western Rodeo Weekend.
“It’s getting harder to keep up with the young guys, but I can still get them when they blink.”
The Western Rodeo Weekend will take place on July 17 and 18, at 2 p.m. daily, with gates opening at 12:30 p.m. The rodeo is at J & J Quarter Horses Farm, at 1590 Durant Road, Breslau.
Proceeds from this event will go towards the work of the Canadian Diabetes Association, to promote the health of Canadians through diabetes research, education, service and advocacy.
For more information, or tickets, call 1-888-777-9793.