Fred Whitfield of Hockley, Texas, competes in the tie-down roping event during the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo in February 2006. Fred Whitfield of Hockley, Texas, competes in the tie-down roping event during the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo in February 2006. (Lisa Krantz/Associated Press)

One year ago, Fred Whitfield won $100,000 at the Calgary Stampede in the tie-down roping competition. With eight world championships to his credit, Fred is considered one of the best and one of the toughest cowboys in rodeo today. So, it was interesting to learn, in a conversation with Fred, that the calf he roped and tied that day is on its way to Fred's home ranch in Hockley, Texas.

Is this a common practice? Well, as it turns out, it's not uncommon. In his pasture, Fred has several of the animals that have helped him to various rodeo wins. The heifer he won Cheyenne Rodeo has raised four calves of her own. His winning heifer at San Antonio has had her first calf.

Fred is not unique in this regard. Among others, he cited fellow roper Ricky Canton (who set a Calgary Stampede record a few years back). The calf that Ricky teamed with in that instance was a small steer calf. Well, now it's a big steer calf, and a family pet at Ricky's Cleveland, Texas home.

Rodeo is not just about cowgirls and cowboys. The horses, bulls, calves and steers that are part of every rodeo are in many ways as important as the competitors themselves.

Born To Buck

Take the Calgary Stampede for example. There are 15 stock contractors that provide the stock for the various events. And all of these contractors have invested years in improving the quality of the stock they take to rodeos around the country.

In addition to hosting the 10-day Stampede, the organization is proud of its "Born to Buck" program that has, over the years, made it one of the premiere producers of rodeo rough stock in the world (rough stock includes bareback and saddle bronc horses and bulls).

Since 1961, the 22,000 acre ranch near Hanna in east central Alberta, has housed the Stampede bucking stock. There are 500 horses and 80 bulls making up the herd that has carried the Stampede banner to the rodeo world. After their often lengthy arena bucking careers, many of the mares in particular, make their way to the Stampede's broodmare band. Some of the more outstanding individuals, regardless of whether they're mares or geldings - Papa Smurf and Lonesome Me, for example - have enjoyed long retirements on the ranch.

Long arena careers

How long is an average career for a bucking horse? Today, the Stampede-bucked Zorro Bandit, a horse that carried cowboys to back-to-back-to-back saddle bronc championships in the late 1990s, is now 18 and still enjoying his career as a rodeo athlete.

Some of the other Canadian stock contractors enjoy at least as long a legacy as that of the Calgary Stampede. Two of the firms providing stock at this year's Stampede involve third generation family members.

The Kesler name has been synonymous with championship-calibre rodeo stock dating back to the 1950s. The late Reg Kesler, son Greg, grandson, Duane (with another generation on the way) are one of the sport's most celebrated families. Their amazing superstar mare, Cool Alley, has been voted best saddle bronc at the Calgary Stampede for five years in a row. She is also a world champion.

The late Hall of Fame bull rider, Wilf Girletz, was noted for producing some of North America's best and toughest rodeo bulls. He passed the torch to his sons, Randy, Ray and Kevin. And the third generation has their sites set on involvement in the family bucking bull operation after their arena careers are over.

Rodeo stock is not just important; it's valuable. There are many five figure animals when it comes to dollar value and some six figure individuals as well. A few years ago, the Big Stone Rodeo company paid $52,000 for an outstanding bucking horse mare named Brownie. There are a number of select bucking stock sales and futurities across North America today. The advent of the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) has had a huge impact on the value of bucking bulls.

And the day to day life of these animals?

It has often been noted that the average bucking horse works in the arena for a total of three to five minutes per year. Most of these four-legged rodeo stars spend the vast majority of their careers in their home pastures. Even with that limited work schedule, every effort is made to ensure the health and safety of what is, in fact, a very valuable commodity. The Calgary Stampede, for example, employs the services of a consulting veterinarian who oversees the semi-annual health maintenance, worming and farrier programs on the complete animal inventory.

In addition to the time they spend grazing on pasture, the horses and bulls that live on the ranch, consume 300 tons of alfalfa/grass hay mix and 25,000 bushels of oats per year.

Yes, accidents happen, and just as on farms and ranches and with other activities involving animals, there are injuries and even occasional deaths, however rare. That said, having been around rodeo all of my adult life, I've seen the regard and pride exhibited by the people who work with these animals everyday. Whether it's four-time world champion bareback horse, Grated Coconut or Fred Whitfield's calves, there's a genuine affection for these amazing rodeo animals.

Barb Poulsen is a web/print designer, freelance 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.