Photo: Logan Spady of Alliance competes in Tie Down Roping and was unsuccessful as the calf did not remain tied down for the required 6 seconds. Daryl Perry / The Coronation Connection

Coronation marked more than half a century of rodeo tradition as competitors, volunteers and spectators gathered for the 55th annual Coronation Pro Rodeo Aug. 1 and 2.

The weekend combined two evenings of Canadian professional rodeo competition with a community parade, family activities and a tribute to longtime rodeo supporter Lori Eno.

The rodeo performances began at 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, bringing competitors from across Alberta and Western Canada to the Coronation rodeo grounds. The Canadian Professional Rodeo Association-sanctioned event included bareback riding, saddle bronc, bull riding, steer wrestling, tie-down roping, team roping, barrel racing and breakaway roping.

The anniversary was also recognized during Coronation’s annual parade Saturday. This year’s theme, “Riding the ’70s,” reflected the decade in which the community’s professional rodeo tradition began.

Floats, horses, local organizations, businesses and community members travelled through Coronation as spectators gathered along the route before turning their attention to the evening rodeo performance.

Sunday’s final performance included a tribute to Eno during the grand entry.

A social media post from the rodeo described the presentation as a tribute to Eno during the final performance of the 55th Coronation Pro Rodeo.

Eno had longstanding connections to the rodeo community, including work behind the scenes as a rodeo secretary and timer. She and her husband, Darin, were also involved in raising bucking bulls.

Her contribution to the sport will be recognized again Friday, Aug. 7, when the Lori Eno Memorial Concert and Bull Riding Event is held in Coronation. The evening is expected to include professional bull riding and live music.

Competition during the weekend produced several close finishes.

In bareback riding, Jace Lomheim and Denver Leitch tied for first with scores of 75.5 points. Lomheim rode Outlaw Buckers’ Memory Burn, while Leitch was matched with Barcelona City.

Walker Guthrie won the steer wrestling with a time of 4.6 seconds. Cody Cassidy finished second in five seconds and Tim Kemp placed third with a time of 5.1 seconds.

Cache Schellenberg topped the saddle bronc competition with an 82-point ride, while Jordan Spears won bull riding with 85.5 points.

Ty Popescul recorded a nine-second run to win tie-down roping. Levi Schmidt and Trent Tunke won team roping in 5.7 seconds.

Colby Bonnett posted the fastest barrel racing time at 17.21 seconds, while Lakota Segboer won breakaway roping with a time of 2.7 seconds.

The results remained listed as unofficial or in progress by the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association on Aug. 3.

The weekend also included the Coronation Pro Rodeo’s second annual fashion show Sunday afternoon at the Zinger Barn, featuring clothing and merchandise from area businesses.

The anniversary celebration continued a tradition that has brought competitors and spectators to Coronation for generations, while recognizing the volunteers and supporters who have helped keep the event operating for 55 years.