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Reflections of Ponoka: Ponoka Stampede honours great rodeo champions

The humble beginnings of the exciting sport of rodeo go back more than a century to our rugged prairies,
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This original limited edition painting of perennial Canadian Saddle Bronc Champion Rod Hay was the work of popular international rodeo clown and artist CrAsh Cooper! It will be featured along with 20 other pieces at an art auction in the Stagecoach Saloon June 30 following the afternoon rodeo performance of the Ponoka Stampede.

The humble beginnings of the exciting sport of rodeo go back more than a century to our rugged prairies, where rambunctious farm and ranch hands looked for a little tough fun after a hard day’s work. Whether it be roping an elusive calf or trying to tame a feisty bronc or steer, it would be wild and dusty challenge, sometimes rewarded with a cheer and an extra plate of beans but quite often ending in a quick and painful fall to the ground. From all this rough and tumble early action would come the hosting of weekend family picnics, fairs, and district rodeos, where would-be cowboys and cowgirls of all ages gathered to compete in such thrilling events as bronco busting, steer decorating, Roman riding and wagon racing, Indian racing, ball games — all followed by a pot-luck feast and a few beers.

In the early 1920s weekend rodeos began popping up all over the prairies, with the legendary Calgary Stampede becoming an annual event in 1923; our own Ponoka Stampede starting its first July long weekend run in 1936; and so many other cities and towns who host this wild and popular sport for thousands of avid fans.

The thrilling spring to fall rodeo circuit would attract hundreds of talented professional and amateur contestants from far and wide, all vying for a chance to test their skills against a formidable foe, with the possibly of winning a few dollars, a trophy or prize buckle, then moving on down the road to try again. Along the way these talented men and women from Canada and throughout the world who have proudly tested their skills on the rodeo circuit would quickly become household names, both in Canada and across the border, where prize money has soared into the millions, and the contestant lists continues to grow as many others seek a piece of the action and maybe even a taste of the spotlight.

A new look for the Ponoka Stampede

As the Ponoka Stampede Association prepares to present their 77th annual pro rodeo from June 25 to July 1, they have announced a new feature to honour great Canadian Rodeo stars. The magnificent colored action painting on the large Stampede poster this year is of perennial saddle bronc champion Rod Hay of Wildwood, Alta., whose successful career spanned 24 years, with multi-championships in both the Canadian and United States professional rodeo circuits.

The water-color painting of Rod Hay on the poster is the work of rodeo clown CrAsh Cooper, who is one of the most popular rodeo entertainers in North America, as well as a four-time winner of Canada’s Entertainer of the Year. When Cooper is not flirting with 2,000-pound bulls in the rodeo infield, he is an accomplished artist, who specializes in limited edition graphite drawings and watercolor paints, using both mediums to create poignant reflections of life in the west. Cooper has also served as the host on the award winning television show, Cowboy Country, and loves to help promote worthwhile causes and mingle with the great fans in every rodeo community that he works.

Another feature of the Ponoka Stampede will be an art auction on June 30 after the afternoon performance (about 4 p.m.) at the Stagecoach Saloon, east of the main grandstand. The auction, under the direction of Danny Skeels and assisted by Cooper, will feature 20 exquisite western paintings and sculptures, as well as Ash Cooper’s original painting of Rod Hay, which appears on the 2013 Ponoka Stampede Poster. There will also be 77 autographed prints of the limited edition Rod Hay painting for sale during the rodeo with a portion of the proceeds of these special events going toward the Tom Butterfield Scholarship Fund and the ongoing promotion of the proud history of the Ponoka Stampede.

The Ponoka Stampede Association will also play host once again to a free art show at the Ponoka arena June 29 to July 1 from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., with noted western artists from throughout Western Canada on hand to display their amazing works.

Rod Hay’s outstanding career

Rod Hay was born in Stony Plain, Alberta on Jan. 5, 1969 and began his illustrious professional rodeo career in the saddle bronc event in 1989. The diminutive 5-8 160-pound athlete’s amazing statistics include qualifying for the Canadian Finals Rodeo 19 times and for 20 performances of the National Finals Rodeo. After being named the PRCA Rookie of the Year, Hay went on to win the Canadian Saddle Bronc Championship in 1990, 1992-94, 1997, 1999, 2002 and 2004; was the Alberta Circuit SB Champion in 1990, 1995, 1997, 2000 and 2005; the CPRA SB season leader in 1992-93, 1997, 1999-2000 and 2005; the CFR SB Aggregate Champion in 1993-94, 1997 and 1999; the SK Circuit SB Champion in 1995; the PRCA SB season leader in 1999; and the CPRA Career Saddle Bronc Earnings record holder.

Highlights of Rod Hay’s ongoing career have included a National Final’s Aggregate Championship in 2007; a winner of the coveted $50,000 cheque in the saddle bronc event at the Calgary Stampede in 1994, 1999, 2002 and 2005; and an amazing run in the 2010 season, where he won the saddle bronc championships at the Stavely, Wildwood and Daines rodeos with superb rides of 86, 87 and 88.