Up North: Great Northern Classic Rodeo showcases bond between family and animals

This past weekend the Great Northern Classic Rodeo kicked off in Superior. It treated all those in attendance with fond memories and also the realization that these riders aren’t in it for the money, but the bond with the animals.

“I’ve been around horses all my life that it’s an engrossing lifestyle. If you’re looking to make a lot of money, this isn’t necessarily it, but the quality of an opportunity to be on a horse. The people that you’re surrounded with is your benefit,” said competitor David Slipka.

This year the rodeo was celebrating 31 years in the Twin Ports. Priding themselves on being one of the few rodeos left that incorporate different animals, along with different events, to showcase their skills.

“A lot of the other newer ones, are mostly bulls and barrels, they call it. Here we still have the ropers, bareback riders, saddle bronc riders. So this is staying more of the old fashioned rodeo,” added board member Wayne Lehr.

It may be an old fashion rodeo, but that doesn’t change the fact than an influx of not only cowboys, but cowgirls are gaining interest in the sport. Due to the rodeo family and community support that surrounds events like these.

“Their daughters have been here. They’re already grown up and gone and their kids have come in here, too. So it really stays, it’s a family thing,” added Lehr.

The rodeo is spectacle that cowgirls of today, want the ones of tomorrow to experience.

“Seeing people in the stands, they get to see a part of American history. They see the bulls, they see things that we don’t always see every day in Superior. So it’s really great for them to experience that opportunity,” concluded drill team member Kristiina Thums.