By Naomi Yaeger
Carrie Kinnear and Roger Stalvig, both lifelong horse lovers, have been hard at work since the final event of last year’s rodeo. As president and vice president of the Great Northern Classic Rodeo, they’ve spent months preparing for this year’s event.
They met with Positively Superior at the Covered Wagon Restaurant, a roadside stop decorated with whiskey barrels, horse halters and vintage cowboy photos, fittingly located at the corner of Highway 53 and County Road B.
“I currently have quarter horses – most of mine are rescued,” Kinnear said. “This rodeo is 100 percent volunteer-run. It takes all of us pitching in to keep this tradition alive.”
Founded in 1991 in Duluth before moving to its current location at the Head of the Lakes Fairgrounds in Superior two years later, the Great Northern Classic Rodeo has grown into a Labor Day weekend tradition. More than 6,000 attendees now pass through the gates during three nights.
“One reason I stay involved is because I didn’t want to see another traditional family event disappear,” said Stalvig.
More Than Horses and Hats
Each night of the rodeo is packed with traditional events such as bull riding, steer wrestling, saddle bronc and bareback bronc riding, barrel racing, breakaway roping and team roping. A highlight this year is 17-year-old trick rider Sophie Duch of Stilwell, Okla., who showcased her skills in a cameo appearance in the 2024 disaster film Twisters.
“Some of the things she does on a horse – Roman riding, for one – are just unbelievable,” said Kinnear. “She’s going to wow the crowd.”
In Roman riding, the performer stands atop two galloping horses, one foot on each. Duch often opens her act waving an American flag in a red, white and blue ensemble, a patriotic nod that always earns cheers.
Two years ago, the rodeo became sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA), which brings with it a higher level of structure and regulation.
“There’s a lot of structure behind the scenes,” said Stalvig. “From the announcer to the stock contractor, it’s got to meet PRCA standards.”
To be PRCA-sanctioned, every judge, contractor, announcer and cowboy must be certified. Dress codes apply, EMTs and officers must be on-site, and every detail – from livestock care to scoring – is carefully managed. The event also keeps a licensed veterinarian on site throughout the weekend to ensure animal safety and welfare.
“It’s a lot of work,” Kinnear added, “but it helps us put on a better, more professional show.”
While spectators come for the thrills, they stay for the atmosphere. “You see whole families here – college students, grandparents and little kids. Everyone’s smiling,” Stalvig said. “It reminds you what community feels like.”
Drill Team in Motion
Katie Stenroos, a 31-year-old 4-H educator and Superior native, has been on the rodeo’s drill team since 2019. She also served as the 2024 rodeo queen.
“It’s a chance to give back to something I’ve always loved,” she said. “I grew up coming to the rodeo with my parents. They were volunteers before I was even born.”
The drill team, made up of six to eight women, performs synchronized horseback routines set to music and carries sponsor flags through the arena.
“It’s like a dance, but with 1,000-pound partners,” Katie joked. “You’ve got to trust your horse, and they’ve got to trust you.”
Her horse, an eight-year-old rescued quarter horse named Kennie, trains with her nearly every day from March to October. “We’re a team. He’s my kid,” she said.
“This rodeo is 100% volunteer-run. It takes all of us pitching in to keep this tradition alive.”
– Carrie Kinnear, President – Great Northern Rodeo
Katie’s favorite event? Barrel racing. “I compete in it, so I love seeing it live,” she said. “It’s fast, intense and full of heart.”
As for the young girls in the stands, she hopes they see more than just sparkle and speed. “I want them to know they can ride a thousand-pound animal, wear a crown and still get off that horse and tear down the arena when the show’s over.”
Roger Stalvig’s two daughters, Madison and Hallie Stalvig, are also involved in the event – Madison helping with marketing and volunteer organization and Hallie is a member of the drill team. Though not on the drill team, Carrie Kinnear’s daughters, Michaela Gann-Kinnear and Beth Stubblefield, also volunteer. Through the years, they’ve worked ticket booths, checked wristbands, helped with setup and teardown and run errands – making both families’ rodeo involvement a true generational effort.
The Man in the Barrel
Rodeo clown Todd Pettigrew will make his Superior debut this year, but he’s no rookie. He’s been performing since age 12. His hometown is Sedalia, Missouri., however, this summer he is based out of a refurbished cargo trailer he tows from town to town. He’s built a career out of quick thinking, faster feet and a talent for humor.
“If there’s a problem during the rodeo, I try to take the focus off it,” he said. “That way, nobody even knows something went wrong.”
Known in the arena as a barrelman, Pettigrew does more than draw laughs. He also serves as a protector, stepping in to distract bulls and help fallen riders get to safety.
“I’ve been banged up more than a few times,” he said. “But I keep showing up.”
Pettigrew uses off the cuff and spur of the moment quick banter, adjusting his approach based on the energy of the crowd. “Kids are usually easier,” he said. “But I never tease a kid who looks unsure. That’s a line I don’t cross.”
He sees rodeo as more than entertainment. “It’s one of the last true sports,” he said. “No script. No second chances.”
Faith, Fun and Family
On Sunday morning, the rodeo slows down for Cowboy Church. Led by Pastor Lee Downey at the curling club, the 10 a.m. service is open to everyone – competitors, volunteers and spectators alike. A cowboy church combines traditional Christian beliefs with cowboy culture, often meeting in informal settings like barns or rodeo arenas. These churches emphasize a “come-as-you-are” approach, welcoming attendees in casual attire and incorporating elements of Western lifestyle into their worship and community.
“One reason I stay involved is because I didn’t want to see another traditional family event disappear.”
– Roger Stalvig, Vice President – Great Northern Rodeo
“We gather, give thanks and get ready for the final show,” Kinnear said.
Children’s Participation Events
Not all rodeo events involve horses or bulls. Two popular kids’ activities – Watermelon Crawl, mutton busting – offer lighthearted fun and crowd-pleasing moments.
On Friday and Saturday kids get their moment in the spotlight during mutton bustin’, where they ride sheep to win a belt buckle. The event, often a crowd favorite, draws cheers as young riders try to hold on for as long as they can.
“Some of them hang on better than adults would,” Stalvig said with a laugh.
According to the GNCR website, for a child to be eligible for Mutton Bustin’, the child must not weigh more than 50 pounds. Protective head gear is provided.
“It’s like a dance, but with 1,000-pound partners. You’ve got to trust your horse, and they’ve got to trust you.”
– Katie Stenroos, Rodeo Drill Team member
Kids get the opportunity to challenge themselves in the watermelon crawl scheduled for the Sunday afternoon rodeo. It is an event where participants crawl, walk or run while carrying a watermelon.
These light-hearted events underscore what the Great Northern Classic Rodeo is all about: family, fun and building memories that last long after the dust settles.
Donations and Community Impact
In a December 2024 Facebook post, Kinnear shared how the rodeo gives back. “Today, I had the great privilege of delivering donation checks with our 2025 Queen, Jaycie McCracken,” she wrote.
Their first stop was the St. Luke’s Foundation, where they delivered a check earmarked for the breast cancer center. Then they headed to 7 Stars Ranch to support veteran, youth and recreational outreach programs. Their final stop was Project Reach Out, which serves at-risk youth ages 12 to 21.
Kinnear added. “I am humbled and grateful to play a small part in helping these programs.”
Volunteers Keep It Going
Both Kinnear and Stalvig emphasized how vital volunteers are to keeping the tradition alive.
“Community involvement isn’t what it used to be,” Kinnear said. “But we’re doing this so future generations still have events like this.”
“If there’s a problem during the rodeo, I try to take the focus off it. That way, nobody even knows something went wrong.”
– Todd Pettigrew, Rodeo clown
As Katie put it: “It’s not just about horses. It’s about helping your town, inspiring the next kid in the stands and showing up – again and again.”
For Stalvig, the reward is seeing it all come together. “I have to constantly remind myself and other people we’re gonna have a rodeo tonight no matter what happens,” he said. “It can be chaotic, but in the end, it comes together.”
He reflected on past rodeos while predicting this upcoming rodeo: “You look around and you see all the people. They’re having a great time from the time they walk in the gate, visit the vendors and get some greasy food that’s delicious and not good for you, but you know they’re just enjoying themselves. You see families there, young people, college kids and grandpas and grandmas.”
And for Pettigrew, the payoff is simple. “If I’ve done my job right, people will forget their worries for a while.”
Rodeo performances are scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, with the final event set for 2 p.m. Sunday. Ticket prices range from $13.85 to $28. Parking is $5 per car. More information is available at greatnorthernclassicrodeo.org. P.S.
