Saddle Bronc rider cherished rodeo clown opportunity

By Lethbridge Herald on August 22, 2025.

Herald Photo by Justin Seward Kolby Wanchuk rode in the Saddle Bronc event at the Lethbridge and District Pro Rodeo on Thursday night

By Justin Seward

Lethbridge Herald

Professional Saddle Bronc rider Kolby Wanchuk had an exciting path in and around  the rodeo circles.

The now 28-year-old  Sherwood Park rider who know resides in Stettler is  the son of well-known rodeo clown, Ricky Ticky, who he helped at a young age at rodeos and other community events.

“He’s been a professional rodeo clown for 49 years now,” said Kolby, when talking about his dad a rodeo clown.

“ I got to grow up in the rodeo arena going  with him clowning and everything that comes with it¬- parades, and visiting hospitals, and schools  and entertaining the people. It’s about the best childhood a kid could ask for.”

Kolby said it opens your eyes.

“You get to learn a lot and see a lot of people in different circumstances,” said Kolby.

The rodeo clown, in Kolby’s mine, helps people forget problems they  may have and hopefully gives them  something to smile about  during the rodeo.

Ricky Ticky taught his son about respect which is important to him

“Respect everyone you can and try and be the best person you can be,” said Kolby.

It was while growing up that Saddle Bronc riding was an event that Kolby never liked  missing as there was an event near his house.

“It was my favourite,” said Kolby.

“When you see the best Bronc riders  in the world getting on the best horses in the world and they get tapped off, it’s poetry in motion,” said Kolby.

 “It looks so smooth, and so easy and it’s an absolute battle the whole way  but it’s just  such a perfect picture.”

Kolby has been a professional  Saddle Bronc rider since 2018 and rode on his first bronc in 2014 at a high school rodeo.

“A lot of bucking horses, a lot of practice horses (and) a lot of time thinking about it,” Kolby, on perfecting his craft.

Kolby rode in Lethbridge and District Pro Rodeo on Thursday night.

“It’s a great stop on our tour here this season,” said Kolby.

“It’s one of our bigger rodeos in Canada and they always get a great crowd, and the horses come here, and they buck.”

After his Thursday ride, he sat second with 84.3 points as of Friday night in the Saddle Bronc Riding’s unofficial results at the Lethbridge and District Pro Rodeo.

The three-day rodeo wraps up tonight at the Exhibition grandstand at 7 p.m.

Wanchuk sits in  first place for the SMS Equipment Pro Tour Standings with 1,070 points, fourth on the Maple Leaf Circuit, third in the Precision Rodeo series and fourth in the Winston Bruce Saddle Bronc Series.