MAY 2019 THE RIDER/ 9 INSIDE The Pioneers Of Rodeo By George Hewitt


“A Wonderful night at the BAR 11 Ranch” “The BAR 11 RANCH"


By Nancy Shirley......... Nancy Shirley was a regular follower of Rodeo dur-


ing the “Pioneer” days.(1950 to1987).Nancy, as many other young women, sought adventure following the foot- steps of the then young inexperienced Rodeo Cowboys of Ontario. Way back then (1950’s), there was one single rodeo


held each year on labour day weekend. The Waterloo County Stampede was the dream of the Ganzi brothers who provided the venue for the first ever Rodeo event. Each year they came, the want a be cowboys. First a few brave lads searching for adventure, then dozens followed each year. Rodeo began to grow in Ontario with 50 or more young men now living their dream of the Rodeo life style, right here in Ontario, they were not discouraged at just two Rodeos were held in Ontario each year. This was it. Real live RODEO in Ontario. Memberships ex- ploded.100 members and increasing each year. Let’s get back to Nancy. She was a great person who


made friends easily. Nancy did not escape the roving eye of the many young energetic cowboys who were by now feeling more than a little oats. I guess I was one of the lucky ones, as on occasion, Nancy and I enjoyed each oth- ers company to the dismay of all the other young guys eager to meet this young talented beauty. I wish I had a photo of Nancy but after days of searching I came up empty. Nancy with Audrey, Lydia and several of her young


women friends would join together to cook the meals each day for many of the hungry cowboys. Archie McArthur, my travelling partner, and I were especially thankful to these gals. The rule was, each cowboy would kick in $5.00 to the girls and that would feed him for the weekend. We made a deal with the girls we would pay $2.50


each and that one of us, Archie or me, would eat in the morning and the other one would eat the evening meal. Hell one meal a day was better than we did normally. As soon as we made that deal we went out to borrow the $5.00 meal money. Now take me and Archie, we were always short of


money, like we never had any. We would show up at the Rodeo and we would be lucky if we had five dollars be- tween us. We never had the money for entry-fees. That was no problem, we would enter and the Rodeo Secretary would take our IOU for the entry-fees. Back then Rodeo was a party with everyone working for and helping each other. Those were the Days.The pioneers who prepared the ground, planted and nurtured the seed that grew and de- veloped into what we have today Ontario Rodeos. We hope you read and enjoy the Nancy Shirley’s


Original Poem “A Wonderful night at the Bar 11 Ranch” Nancy Shirley deserves to be recognized as a true


“PIONEER of RODEO.” Original poem By Nancy Shirley 1957


The campfire was a wondrous sight, at eight o'clock Sun- day night Rodeo camps gathered from left to right, to set the path and do it right as all the cowboys came, to decide the fate of the Rodeo game. At last Roy got things off to a start, with Chuck and George Hewitt taking a part in making the meeting a big success, that will help to end the Rodeo mess. Beside the campfire Bill Western takes notes, answers questions and counts the votes. As reps are elected from each wild section, to see that the Cowboys will get protection .. Competition is stiff for the chairman's seat, we find that by LeRoy Chuck is beat. Chuck's troubled mind is comforted most, when he is soon given the "Assistant Chairman's" post. The Chutes and Stock now under Greco's command, will be well cared for, organised and planned, Just like wild cow milking, wild steer and horse, which will belong to Don Lawrence of course Lonesome George is steer-riding representative, although his present plans are tentative, and secretary by anonymous vote, is going to our Editor, we must note. Ralph Smith, reluctantly takes his place as the saddle- bronc riding ''Ace." the Bareback Riders' faith is won by the "King of Spurring" Stevenson. The roping Division is now decided, will be dissolved, ab- sorbed, divided into a new CalfRoping section under the O.R.A. 's protection. The General meeting has drawn to a close, so to Archie's trailer the executive goes, each planning to make some contribution to the "O.RA. 'S First constitution. Outside the trailer in the song filled night, Guitars are strumming by the campfire light, the tension is over the meeting has ended, now at last .................................... . "The RODEO COWBOYS will be protected." Ontario Rodeo Association founded 1957-Bar 11 Ranch Dundas Ontario.


Next issue - “All Cowboys are not Born in the West” George Hewitt


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Pioneers of Rodeo . . . . . . . 9 Happy Trails Horse Park . . 12 Colic Risk. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Erin Horse Day. . . . . . . . . . 14 Canadian Cowgirls. . . . . . . 16 NERCHA News . . . . . . . . . 17


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