Drivin' the point home!
Chris Scheetz, music director and afternoon drive host for Edmonton's CISN Country Radio took the bull by the horns recently and organized Mad Dash to the Border in support of Canada's beef producers. Chris, a farm boy, from Thorsby, AB, says this was the only way he knew how to help frustrated Albertans make a statement about the closed borders due to the mad cow crisis. Thousands of supporters, proudly displaying Canadian colors, turned out for the 602-km trek to the Canadian/American border at Coutts on July 26. "It was absolutley overwhelming," says Scheetz of the 30-mile-long convoy that overtook Highway 2. "For a few days before the Mad Dash, I was truly frightened because of the sheer numbers of people who said they were joining us for the trip." The Calgary Police actually closed Deerfoot Trail, a busy Calgary freeway, to allow the convoy to pass through. Chris and back-up driver Richard Sadoway, led the charge driving a cattle liner, accompanied by Chris' wife, Karen and children, Baillie and Carter. Chris and CISN Radio do things for all the right reasons and they're no strangers to lending a hand whenever they can. Last year, when Alberta farmers were stricken with drought, Scheetz spent five days in a tractor cab and raised $150,000 in financial relief. A Canadian Cowboy Country hats off to you Chris you helped Albertans make a difference!
Robert Perrin (Bob) Jesson 1914- 2003
BC Cowboys Hall Of Fame Member, Bob Jesson, passed away August 8, 2003 at 88 years of age. Bob was one of the most respected horsemen and trainers in Canada. A gifted and versatile athlete in his younger years Bob was both a top hand in the horse corral and a Golden Gloves boxer. Bob cowboyed many years. He was also involved with rodeo, horse shows and racing but he will always be remembered first and foremost as a gifted and thoughtful horse trainer. Bob Jesson spent his life looking for better ways to train horses, helping to blaze the trail many others would follow. He was actively training horses up until a year before his passing.
Legacy of Bill Kehler Honoured
Having created a special award to honour Spruce Meadows Hall of Fame announcer, the late Bill Kehler, The Spruce Meadows Organizing Committee made the presentation of its first recipient on Sept. 7 at the Masters. The Bill Kehler Award for Professional Excellence was established to honour its namesake who passed away in June after a long struggle with Multiple Sclerosis. "Bill Kehler defined professionalism and excellence in everything he brought to Spruce Meadows during his 28 years behind the mic at Spruce Meadows," says Spruce Meadows Co-Chairman Ron Southern. "Together with only a handful of volunteers, staff, officials and fans we began a journey in1975. In many respects Bill led the way. He made it his job to learn everything about a sport that collectively we now realize we all new little about at the beginning." "So many things made Bill truly unique," adds Spruce Meadows President Marg Southern. "His ability to entertain and educate at the same time, his enthusiasm, his memory, his genuine interest and, of course, his magical voice all come to mind. He literally changed the sport as only Bill could have." The Bill Kehler Award for Professional Excellence will be awarded annually at the Spruce Meadows "Masters" to a Team Spruce Meadows member in recognition of outstanding contribution and extraordinary commitment to the success of Spruce Meadows through professional excellence. "From the very first time we met Bill Kehler we recognized he was the kind of man who would go far beyond the call of duty, do more than anyone would expect, have the highest standards and pay attention to the smallest details," says Ron Southern. "For Spruce Meadows, that is what excellence is all about. To now be able to pay a small tribute to Bill and to one of our world leading team members each year, who brings these qualities to Spruce Meadows in the same way Bill did, is both fitting and satisfying." The inaugural Bill Kehler Award for Professional Excellence was presented at a date too late for Canadian Cowboy Country Magazine's deadline for this issue.
More team ropers heading to CFR
With an additional $66,000 added to rodeo purses around the circuit, the Canadian Professional Team Ropers Inc. are ending the year on a high note. Not only was there more money to be won, there were more teams traveling late in the season. With the change this season to having 10 teams qualify for the Canadian Finals Rodeo, the incentive was there and the last spots were a battle to the end of the rodeo calendar. Some new faces will be backing into the box at next month's CFR in Edmonton. As well, the top contenders took more time to rodeo south of the border in search of a berth in the CFR. "We were able to find new sponsors," says Lyle Kurtz, a major sponsor of team roping and founder of Canadian Professional Team Ropers Inc. "More companies were interested in being part of the sport now that we're a Major Optional. And there are more opportunities for our cowboys to compete at the professional level, which helps the Amateur ranks as well. It's been a great year, and it's only going to continue growing." (By Susan O'Connor)
Ash Cooper lands college job
The talent of Ash Cooper is being recognized in pretty impressive circles, if not for his cowboy art and cartooning, then certainly for his remarkable skills as a rodeo clown and bullfighter. Cooper answered a call to show his bullfighting talents for one day of the week-long U.S, College National Finals Rodeo last June at Casper, WY. Well, to no surprise of bullfighting aficionados this side of the border, the CNF liked Cooper's work. So much so that he's been asked to work the entire show next June. Cooper, of Senlac, SK (about a 25-minute drive northeast of Provost, AB) was the Cover Boy feature story in the June-July issue of Canadian Cowboy Country Magazine. He's a frequent contributor to our Clownin' Around cartoon page under the byline, CrAsh Cooper. Congratulations, CrAsh.
Smokin'Joe ropes'em in
For two days in July, 46 aspiring calf ropers soaked in the knowledge of one of their heroes, four-times Canadian champion Joe Lucas. At Joe's Carstairs, AB ranch, the kids learned the basic of calf roping, progressing to roping on actual live calves by the end of the school. This was the third year of the Joe Lucas Junior Roping Clinic, and Joe and his wife Sheona are pleased with the way the kids keep coming back each year. "They get better each time," said Joe. "Teaching them the basics shows them how to improve quickly, then we have a jackpot at the end where they can win buckles, prizes and cash." The finale highlights the awarding of two scholarships worth $1,000 each. "Smokin' Joe's Scholarship Fund" provides finances for youngsters to pursue their education, either through traditional schooling or furthering their aspiring rodeo careers through additional training. Winners of the $1,000 scholarships were members of the Mac's Future Champs Team Devin Wigemyr and Trigger Roy. (By Susan O'Connor)
Chris Scheetz, music director and afternoon drive host for Edmonton's CISN Country Radio took the bull by the horns recently and organized Mad Dash to the Border in support of Canada's beef producers. Chris, a farm boy, from Thorsby, AB, says this was the only way he knew how to help frustrated Albertans make a statement about the closed borders due to the mad cow crisis. Thousands of supporters, proudly displaying Canadian colors, turned out for the 602-km trek to the Canadian/American border at Coutts on July 26. "It was absolutley overwhelming," says Scheetz of the 30-mile-long convoy that overtook Highway 2. "For a few days before the Mad Dash, I was truly frightened because of the sheer numbers of people who said they were joining us for the trip." The Calgary Police actually closed Deerfoot Trail, a busy Calgary freeway, to allow the convoy to pass through. Chris and back-up driver Richard Sadoway, led the charge driving a cattle liner, accompanied by Chris' wife, Karen and children, Baillie and Carter. Chris and CISN Radio do things for all the right reasons and they're no strangers to lending a hand whenever they can. Last year, when Alberta farmers were stricken with drought, Scheetz spent five days in a tractor cab and raised $150,000 in financial relief. A Canadian Cowboy Country hats off to you Chris you helped Albertans make a difference!
BC Cowboys Hall Of Fame Member, Bob Jesson, passed away August 8, 2003 at 88 years of age. Bob was one of the most respected horsemen and trainers in Canada. A gifted and versatile athlete in his younger years Bob was both a top hand in the horse corral and a Golden Gloves boxer. Bob cowboyed many years. He was also involved with rodeo, horse shows and racing but he will always be remembered first and foremost as a gifted and thoughtful horse trainer. Bob Jesson spent his life looking for better ways to train horses, helping to blaze the trail many others would follow. He was actively training horses up until a year before his passing.
With an additional $66,000 added to rodeo purses around the circuit, the Canadian Professional Team Ropers Inc. are ending the year on a high note. Not only was there more money to be won, there were more teams traveling late in the season. With the change this season to having 10 teams qualify for the Canadian Finals Rodeo, the incentive was there and the last spots were a battle to the end of the rodeo calendar. Some new faces will be backing into the box at next month's CFR in Edmonton. As well, the top contenders took more time to rodeo south of the border in search of a berth in the CFR. "We were able to find new sponsors," says Lyle Kurtz, a major sponsor of team roping and founder of Canadian Professional Team Ropers Inc. "More companies were interested in being part of the sport now that we're a Major Optional. And there are more opportunities for our cowboys to compete at the professional level, which helps the Amateur ranks as well. It's been a great year, and it's only going to continue growing." (By Susan O'Connor)
For two days in July, 46 aspiring calf ropers soaked in the knowledge of one of their heroes, four-times Canadian champion Joe Lucas. At Joe's Carstairs, AB ranch, the kids learned the basic of calf roping, progressing to roping on actual live calves by the end of the school. This was the third year of the Joe Lucas Junior Roping Clinic, and Joe and his wife Sheona are pleased with the way the kids keep coming back each year. "They get better each time," said Joe. "Teaching them the basics shows them how to improve quickly, then we have a jackpot at the end where they can win buckles, prizes and cash." The finale highlights the awarding of two scholarships worth $1,000 each. "Smokin' Joe's Scholarship Fund" provides finances for youngsters to pursue their education, either through traditional schooling or furthering their aspiring rodeo careers through additional training. Winners of the $1,000 scholarships were members of the Mac's Future Champs Team Devin Wigemyr and Trigger Roy. (By Susan O'Connor)