Stampede! What exactly is all the hype about?

Location:
Canada

rodeo, horseback riding, danger

By Belinda Lloyd

In day to day life people take risks every day. Driving a car, crossing the street or, perhaps for the more adventurous, going Sky Diving and participating in Extreme Sports for the adrenaline rush. “Tom” is 19 and has lived on a farm for all of his life. For the last few years he has participated in Junior and, more recently, adult Rodeo Bull Riding events. Every time he participates he is taking a risk. A bad fall or wrong blow from the Bull could mean serious injury or even death. With Bull riding often dubbed a cruel and dangerous event, the growing interest and popularity for Rodeos is intriguing.

July is the month of the Calgary Stampede, and when you arrive during this amazingly busy period you will notice advertisements and displays all over the city area. Naturally, the crowds are larger than normal as well.

Having never been to Canada or seen a live Rodeo before this year, one begins to wonder what exactly all the hype about and what it is about the Rodeo that appeals to travelers and Calgarians. Furthermore, one has to wonder what it is that appeals to the contestants about taking such a risk.

Fuelling this interest further is that I have noticed the standard response I receive when bringing up the element of danger to the events and recounting a bull riding incident I witnessed in Dead Mans Creek to both co workers and other travelers I have met over the last month and a half or so whilst traveling where an ambulance was required is a simple wide eyed grin and "cool".

A Vox Pop at the local youth hostel uncovered a variety of other reasons for interest. The first two men interviewed were Nathan and Ahmad - both from Halifax, Nova Scotia. To them the appeal was based on seeing something new that they aren't used to.

"It’s exciting, so I don’t really think it’s cruel", says Nathan who has lived in Calgary now for six years and been to the Stampede three times.. He adds that " Nova Scotia doesn't have a Rodeo...it's too cold and mainly a city for Hockey".

Ahmad was also keen to see something new "the only Rodeo I have seen was in the Borat movie", he claims.

Karen a woman in town visiting from Chicago was not staying for the Rodeo. She says, "We have a gay Rodeo in Chicago which is amazing, but generally they don't really interest me".

Either way, if you are travelling to Calgary in June or July be sure to book early as most places are fully booked by late April, early May according to staff and management at the Hostel.

The overal image and message presented from the official Stampede website and most general advertising of the event is aimed at emphasising a celebration of the history of the Stampede phenomenon and Western Canada.

If you are traveling through Calgary in June and July you will not be able to ignore the buzz and presence of the Stampede. Advertising and Ticket promotions and preparation are well underway. Most Calgarians it seems, enjoy the atmosphere and get into the spirit by wearing cowboy hats and Western wear which you will see plenty of in the streets. However the crowd is not for everyone, “It’s such a busy time a lot of Calgarians leave town to avoid it”, says one local; Amber.

Amongst other things, this years Stampede appears to be strongly geared towards encouraging support of breast cancer research with major sponsors selling pink merchandise for the occasion. You will also notice a mass of pink cowboy hats when you walk the downtown streets and the Stampede grounds in the crowds passing by.

That being said, when visiting the grounds there are plenty of activities and amusements on offer including displays of traditional Indian dancing, country music with old favourites that your parents or aunt and uncle probably played such as, ‘Trailers for rent’. And of course don’t forget, the main attractions of the daytime Rodeo and evening Chuck wagon show. Both of which are spectacular.

Ashley, born in rival city Edmonton agrees with this, “I have been three times and usually spend all my time on rides and going to the Chuck wagon races…it’s great”.

Karen adds, “I don’t think it’s cruel…….. there does seem to be a certain image of pride in being a ‘Cowboy’, maybe it's a guy thing".

With all the hype to spark your curiosity one could be forgiven for approaching their first Rodeo with a little nervousness. The Rodeo events such as the bull riding have a reputation for being dangerous.

The official sight for the Stampede – calgarystampede.com even sights the bull riding as “the most dangerous event in Rode. People old enough to remember Luke Perry playing Lane Frost in the film 8 seconds (or even those old enough to remember Lane Frost himself) may recall that Lane died in a bull riding Rodeo event in 1989.

As reported in the Calgary Herald (12 July 2007). Recent incidents at this years Rodeo have also seen the decision to form a Registry to develop methods to make the event safer. Contestants Sean Willingham and Luke Ellingson have both had incidents during this years Rodeo, with Mr Ellingson requiring stitches for a scalp injury.

Cleary watching a Rodeo may not be for the faint hearted especially when some of it may involve watching a contestant get flipped several feet into the air by a bull after falling off, as was the case with Mr Willingham on day 4 of the Rodeo.

This sort of incident does not appear to deter many, judging by the crowds it draws and those such as Nathan, Amber and Karen who have been to Rodeos before. The commentators encourage the crowd to support the contestants for their efforts. Karen adds, “I think…. there does seem to be a certain image of pride”.

The general consensus on the whole seems to be that it is definitely worthwhile to see and can be a really fun experience if you are open to it.

Further Information

Travel tips: Book early

Must see/do at this place: Library, Calgary Tower, Zoo. Olympic Park, Fort Calgary and Heritage Park.

You should avoid here: Being alone at night time near the Homeless shelters. The hostel is unfortunately right behind two of them.