Cowboy Brendon Clark, is bucked off a bull called Livid in the Bull Riding event during Calgary Stampede rodeo action in Calgary, Alberta on Friday July 4, 2008. (Larry MacDougal/Canadian Press)I wind my way out of the foothills on an overcast but warm July day and head north on highway 2 toward Calgary. It's the first day of Stampede 2008. As I drive, I start to think about the day ahead. Traffic is steady, though construction slows me down at times. As I head into south Calgary, the pace picks up, as does my excitement about another Stampede - especially another Stampede rodeo.
July has seen me head to the Calgary Stampede for close to 20 years - all of them connected to the professional rodeo staged there.
The rodeo world is very much a family community - friends from the western Canadian provinces all the way south to Texas and Oklahoma converge on Calgary during the first part of July. It's great to catch up, find out how the spring rodeo run has treated everyone and see the kids - the next generation of rodeo competitors.
Just as welcome are visits with the Stampede rodeo volunteers and event contract personnel, many of whom have worked as I have at this western venue for over a decade.
"Nerves get to some, while others stay cool and steady."
The rodeo office, a sprawling, ranch-style building with a wrap-around covered porch, is one of the popular spots during the late mornings at Stampede Park. By now the sun has moved in.
Cowboy hats, jeans and boots are everywhere as contestants and fans wait for the hay-wagon/shuttle that ferries folks back and forth from the rodeo office to the infield grandstand and rodeo arena.
Trading information about rodeo stock
Bull riders and bareback riders haul their 'riggin bags' with them. Saddle bronc riders jump out of trucks and hoist their association bronc saddles over their shoulders. Rough stock and timed event contestants alike trade information about the rodeo stock they've drawn for the day's performance.
About 1 pm, the pre-rodeo show gets underway - this year it is extra special with an impressive air show courtesy of the Canadian Snowbirds. The red and white-outfitted Stampede Ranch girls circle the arena on sorrel and paint Stampede grand entry horses.
Pool A contestants have four consecutive days of competition and want to get a good start on the day's prize money and on an opportunity to come back for Showdown Sunday.
In both the Saddle Bronc Riding and Bareback Riding events, it's all Calgary Stampede rodeo stock that is featured on Day 1. The legacy of bucking stock is evident in the names on today's program (Exploding Rocket, Mohawk Warrior and Fancy Dancer). It speaks to the success and longevity of the Stampede Ranch "Born to Buck" program.
A carefully cultivated exercise
Similar to other livestock disciplines, breeding bucking stock is a carefully cultivated exercise that takes years of production and record keeping. The bull-riding event highlights the stock of two additional contractors - Girletz Rodeo Stock and the Northcott family.
At the timed event end of the arena, tie-down ropers uncoil ropes from rope cans and tighten up cinches on their horses. Some contestants are momentarily afoot as they wait their turn to mount horses belonging to fellow contestants.
In all of the timed events, tie-down roping, steer-wrestling and ladies barrel racing, the horses are as important as the riders. Solid contestant horses are known and sought after in the industry.
While barrel racers ride mainly their own horses, tie-down ropers and steer wrestlers will often arrange to be mounted by another contestant who hauls a solid calf or steer wrestling horse, in return for a percentage of the prize money won.
Nerves are getting to some
Contestants are serious-faced and focused as their event draws near. Nerves get to some, while others stay cool and steady.
Interestingly enough, the first four pro competitors of the 2008 Stampede are all previous $50,000 or $100,000 champions - including the very first man out, tie-down roper, Fred Whitfield, who clearly does not let nerves affect his performance at all. Fred Whitfield ropes in 7.7 seconds, good for second spot, and in his words, "a decent start to the week."
Bull riders don't fare as well - only two contestants in a field of ten ride their bulls. All ten will be back for another try tomorrow afternoon.
With remnants of "Happy Trails", the traditional Stampede farewell in my head, I leave Stampede Park and head out of the city. It's a clear evening. As I turn west on the gravel road that rises into the Porcupine Hills and home, I enjoy the layers of blue in the hills and the fresh tang of newly cut hay. It's good to leave the city behind - at least until tomorrow.
Barb Poulsen is a web/print designer, free-lance writer and barrel racer. Raised in Saskatchewan, she's lived over half her life in rural Alberta. A teacher for many years, she's also enjoyed participation in the western lifestyle - mainly through ranching, rodeo and of course, her horses. Barb lives south of Calgary on a small ranch in the Porcupine hills with her writer/rodeo announcer husband, Dave.
