Jeremiah “Jerry” Potts (1840 – July 14, 1896), (also known as Ky-yo-kosi, meaning “Bear Child”), was an American – Canadian plainsman, buffalo hunter, horse trader, interpreter, and scout of Kainai (Blood) and Scots heritage.
Potts is just one of many early Canadian Explorers and Frontiersmen. Canadians know disgustingly little of their own History or of such people.
We don’t celebrate them. We never developed a film industry like the US
that tells of them in any way. Their exploits were easily equal,
but they are almost completely unknown. Because of this I would guess
that the average Canadian knows more about US History than Canadian History.
Don’t know who these cowboys are? but it looks like they got a bag of pancake mix and 4 beers for posing.
When I’m not trying to wake people up – including myself,
I do ordinary things – like go to the Calgary Stampede.
The Stampede is a 10 day event and Rose and I go down to the
Stampede Grounds for one day every year – usually Seniors Day (get in free!).
We take transit because driving around downtown is insane.
Calgary – not a town anymore.
The Saddledome. Soon to be torn down and replaced by a new $550-million arena. (Would we be surprised if that reaches a billion before it’s finished?)
Anyway … The Calgary Stampede: quite an event.
There’s action all over town.
Horses get ‘right of way’.
It’s crazy at the transit station.
Hope you don’t mind crowds.
The gates are in sight.
No drunks; No drugs; No guns; No smoking; No tasers; No blades; No drones;
No explosives; No baseball bats, hockey sticks, golf clubs, bows and arrows;
Etc; Etc; Etc …
Geez, you can’t do anything.
On the grounds.
Lots of people.
Free entertainment.
Places to rest.
But you can win stuff: cars, trucks, motorcycle, a house. lottery … many things.
Things like this car.
Have a silly pic taken.
The Return of the great Western Painter C. M. Russell. Awesome.
Russel masterpiece.
We always go to the Art Exhibits first.
“Go ahead … try t’ steal me.”
The Queen rode in. But I had to loan her a quarter.
Rose and I go to the Calgary Stampede every year just to look at theWestern Art – which is spectacular. This year it is particularly superb. So much so that I thought I’d try to profile a few Artists and taste of their work. I can’t show everything of course, but I think you’ll be impressed by what you see.
In no particular order:
I also apologize to the Artists if my rendering here diminishes their work in any way.
Shannon Ford
www.ShannonFord.ca
Shannon Ford, Bachelor of Fine Art (ACAD) / Brief Biography – 2014 / Artist Info:
“A natural born artist and an animal lover since childhood, Shannon Ford was born in Regina Saskatchewan, totally enchanted by the natural world. She was raised on a farm west of Calgary where she grew up loving Art and knowing horses, cattle and wildlife.
Shannon paints in both her Studios in Alberta, and in BC where she and her sweetheart Denis breed Mangalarga Marchador horses …
Shannoncreates in a wide range of topic matter and media, but I confess I love her Westernpaintings the best.
Marvelous work Shannon!
Into a Canter on a Young Horse available through Gainsborough Galleries, Calgary, Alberta
Mystiques Shariff of the Fairview Arabian Stud, 84 X 72, Acrylic on Canvas with Diamond Dust,
Pipestone, Rainbow Moonstone Cabochons, Mother of Pearl, Available at The Lloyd Gallery
Collected Painting: Gorgeous Grizzly 60 X 40 D. A/C with Azurite, Tanzanite, Sapphires, Peridot, Pipestone
“Darcy was born in Alberta, Canada and spent her early childhood on a farm west of Granum in southern Alberta.
With Darcy’s farm background it is not surprising that her primary focus is western art. She finds inspiration at brandings, cattle drives, rodeos and sometimes in a field at the side of the highway. She sees the animals, everyday activities and gear of the working cowboy as unique and feels there is a story in every painting …”
ENOUGH ROPE Oil on Linen
WOOLY BULLY Oil on Linen
PAINT Oil on Linen
Wonderful work Darcy. I particularly like your rendering of the saddle and gear!
Andrew Kiss / Award Winning Nature Artist
www.kissfineart.com
Famed for his magnificent landscapes, Andrew also renders spectacular images of flowers.
In a world full of recent horror and heartache, it really is a joy to report some GOOD News. (There really is much more Good News than Bad News in this world – but you’d never know it by watching our Mass Media).
I always post a small blurb on our local Calgary Stampede, but I’m gonna tell ya, this year it was Truly Amazing – Spectacular – full of stories that could easily be made into Movies – they are so worthy. But could just as easily have been a disaster because our Economy is not good here right now – and it rained every day. Every Day! YET … in the midst of all this downturn and downpour the Performers and Organizers rose to magnificent heights to truly make this the “Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth”.
BRAVO to all !!
It never rains on our Parade.
Things started out on a sweet note with Canadian music Stars Paul Brandtand Jan Arden as 2016 Calgary Stampede Marshalls.
It didn’t rain ALL the time …
… but when it did … it could be dismal.
But ‘Cowboy (and Cowgirl) Tough’ isn’t just an expression –
it’s a fact – and a Way of Life.
Amazing Stuff !!
Steven Peebles (Redmond Oregon) has broken his back – twice – among other injuries,
but wins the Bareback Bronc Riding Championship !
67-year-old Mary Burger(Oklahoma) wins the Barrel Racing Championship!
After competing in the Calgary Stampede Chuck Wagon Races for 25 years !! Kirk Sutherland (Alberta) wins the 2016 Chuck Wagon Championship !
I’m sure there were plenty of other amazing stories
– but those are ones that caught my attention.
Shane Hanchey (Louisiana) lassoes the 2016 Calf Roping Championship
Zeke Thurston(Alberta) wins the 2016 Saddle Bronc Championship
19-year-old Cody Teel(Texas) wins the 2016 Bull Riding Championship !
Seth Brockman (Wyoming) takes the 2016 Bull Dogging Championship !
A great Stampede ! Congratulations to the Organizers and Contestants.
Trevor Knowles from Mt. Vernon, Oregon. Has won the Steer Wrestling 4 times.
2015 Calf Roping Champ
Timber Moore from Aubrey, Texas.
Novice Bronc Riders Take Trophies
Photo by Mike Copeman
Hometown favorite Connor Hamilton rode his way to the novice bareback riding bronze at the Stampede, after making an 80 point ride Saturday, to go along with the 75.5 from earlier in the Stampede. The former Junior A hockey player only took up rodeo recently, so it was quite an accomplishment to take the title at his first Stampede. Lane Cust of Ardmore claimed the novice saddle bronc honors in his third Stampede appearance, after making a stellar 82 point on his first horse, and then adding in a 77.5 in the Finals.
Lots of people.
