The Okotoks Pro Rodeos have provided plenty of memories over the past 20 years.
Here are some of the memories of a few of the top rodeo athletes over the past two decades.
Robin Burwash: Elected to Canadian Rodeo Hall of fame in 2001; 14 CFR appearances in bareback -- winning four times, 11 NFR appearances, 1989 Calgary Stampede champion:
“It (the Okotoks rodeo) was always on with Ellensburg, Washington and Merritt, BC on the same weekend. You had to go to one of those rodeos, comeback to Okotoks, and then go back to the other one.
"I always went: ‘Ooohh, do I really want to do this?’
“But once I nodded my head in front of the hometown crowd, it was all worth it.
“My last year would have been 1994 and I don’t think I ever won in any money in Okotoks.”
Suzanne DePaoli, Longview barrel racer: “I actually won the Okotoks in 2000.
“I didn’t even know I had won it because you have to go outside after the run. My husband came out and said: ‘So you thought we should have gone home to get the other horse? Well, this one won it’.”
DePaoli was the Calgary Stampede Queen in 1973. She was in attendance last year at the CFR in Edmonton when her neighbour, former Miss Rodeo Okotoks Kezia Morrison, was named Miss Rodeo Canada.
“That was very exciting,” said.
Fred Edey, Longview steer wrester: “Okotoks has always been a pivotal rodeo for me. I always seem to leave everything until the end in regards to making the Canadian final. That rodeo was always imperative to push me over the hump. I think I got second and third to push me over the hump one year (2003) by about twenty bucks.
“I ended up finishing second at the CFR. I was the only guy ever to win three rounds at the CFR and not win it. Lee Graves won three rounds and had a third and I had three rounds and a fourth. I don’t mind losing to the two-time world champ.”
Graves, who is from Black Diamond, used to travel down the rodeo road with Edey.
Edey does have one regret about the Okotoks rodeo, however.
“My only regret was there was always three rodeos going on. It sure would have been fun to stick around and enjoy the whole weekend, just because it’s local and the whole community supports it.”
Sam Kelts, Millarville saddle bronc rider on the CPRA circuit, currently ranked seventh in Canada:
“I have been there virtually every since I got my permit in ’01. It’s a good rodeo and Wayne (Vold) brings good horses.
“I have never won in Okotoks. I have placed a few times, but I have never really kicked butt there. I have drawn good horses, but I seemed to get bucked off there.”
