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Winston
Bruce, Rodeo Division Manager of the Calgary Exhibition and Stampede
has been using Appaloosa horses during his Arena Director duties
since the early 1970's. The world famous Calgary Stampede has 10
performances per year with a packed grandstand of over 18,000 spectators
for each performance. Every evening of the 10 day Stampede, the
World Professional Chuckwagon Races are run with 18,000 more spectators
for each performance.
Winston
Bruce has 2 Appaloosa geldings which he alternates during the long
days of arena work. Both geldings, "Boise" and "Idaho"
are the classic black with a large white blanket and black spots.
In
addition to the 360,000 spectators at the Stampede Rodeo and Chuckwagon
performances that see Winston's Appaloosa geldings working calmly
in the dust and excitement of the rodeo and chucks, Stampede performances
are broadcast on CBC and ESPN
television networks. The Calgary Exhibition and Stampede has its
own 1 hour shown on TSN. Boise
and Idaho have been seen by millions of international television
viewers.
Each
spring there are four days of Rodeo Royal at the 7000 seat Stampede
Corral. Besides these major events, Winston generally uses his Appaloosas
for the 20 or more small rodeos the Calgary Stampede produces such
as, the President's Rodeo and rodeos for large conventions and special
interest groups. Some of these rodeos are on the Stampede grounds
while others are produced in other locations. The Stampede has produced
rodeos as far away as Houston, Texas.
 Winston
Bruce is a very well known personality in the rodeo business. Born
in Stettler, Alberta, he began his rodeo career as a young boy working
with his rodeo producer and stock contractor father, Laurence Bruce.
Winston won the Canadian Saddle Bronc Championship in 1957 and 1958.
He won the World Championship Saddle Bronc title in 1961.
In
1989, Winston was inducted into the Professional Rodeo Hall of Fame,
Colorado Springs, Colorado and was the first Canadian inductee.
In 1995, he and his father Laurence were inducted into the Canadian
Historical Rodeo Hall of Fame, which will be located in the Western
Heritage Center in Cochrane, Alberta.
 Winston
retired from active competition and became an Assistant Arena Director
for the Calgary Stampede in 1969. He became Arena Director in 1970
and in 1980, Rodeo Division Manager. He has served on the Board
of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and is currently a
Director for the Association of Rodeo Committees, Pendleton, Oregon.
Over the years, Winston has even found the time to coach PeeWee
Hockey and work with 4-H.
Winston
started riding Appaloosa horses in the early 1970's. He wanted a
colorful horse that "doesn't blend in with other horses".
Harry Hobbs who was living in nearby Okotoks, Alberta, suggested
if Winston wanted a colorful mount, "why not an Appaloosa?".
At that time Harry had a black, spotted blanket stallion named Candy
Bar King. Winston remembers him as "an outstanding horse, a
beautiful animal". Harry lent Winston Candy Bar King to use
in the arena. When the stallion died suddenly at an early age, Winston
used Candy Bar King's sire, Tracy Bar King.
When
Tracy Bar King died, leaving Winston without his trademark black
Appaloosa, he borrowed an Appaloosa from Dwayne Madson in Idaho.
Dwayne had trained the stallion for his trick horse and animal acts,
so would not part with him. Dwayne found Winston the gelding "Idaho"
in 1981. Idaho, born in 1972 was bred by E.H. Jurgensen, Washingon.
His registered name is Krusaders Image by Kaped Krusader. Winston
describes Idaho as very athletic. The gelding was shown in the US.
Winston has been most impressed by how sound Idaho has remained
through long days of hard riding on often poor arena footing. He
says Idaho has "never taken a lame step".
The
other gelding, "Boise", was purchased in 1993 to take
over most of the aged Idaho's duties. Boise, foaled in 1982 was
bred by Einar Lodahl, Wyoming. Named "Hilltop Mos by Seven
Bar Plaudit, the gelding has the conformation of a halter horse.
He was a team roping horse, used as a rodeo pick-up horse and as
a school horse for riding lessons. Winston says the beautiful black
gelding has a terrific disposition and he readily accepts people
and any change or excitement.
Winston
continues to ride Appaloosas because they have been "good horses"
for him. He is easily impressed by their endurance and soundness.
The beautiful Appaloosas Winston has used for the past 20 years
have been seen by millions of people from all over the world, whether
in person at one of the many Calgary Stampede productions or on
international television broadcasts.
To
the general public, the Calgary Stampede Appaloosas are the most
famous Appaloosas in the world, and we honor Winston Bruce in his
efforts to present beautiful, useable Appaloosas to the world.
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