Pro Rodeo Canada Insider THE SHORT ROUND
O’NEILL’S BRONZE — FINALLY
Jack Daines surprises 2002 World Champion Saddle Bronc rider, Glen O’Neill, with a replica of the bronze first won by O’Neill at the 1995 Calgary Stampede
A cool moment took place during the Sunday performance at this year’s Innisfail Pro Rodeo. Jack Daines called retired saddle bronc rider, Glen O’Neill, to the announcer’s stand, ostensibly to ‘open the bronc riding’. The former Canadian and World Saddle Bronc Riding Champion obliged, spoke to the crowd and turned to leave. That’s when Jack, the master sorcerer, said, “Before you leave, Glen, we’ve got something for you.” Jack revealed a Jay Contway bronc riding bronze and presented it to a surprised O’Neill. The bronze was a replacement for one the Australianborn, Didsbury resident won at the Calgary Stampede 21 years before but had lost in a fire. O’Neill had ordered it a while back but the sculptor misplaced his contact information and hadn’t, at that point,
got the bronze to him. Enter Jack Daines. While ordering bronzes for the Innisfail Rodeo, Jack learned of the replacement bronze and figured it would be a great idea to present it at Innisfail. He made the arrangements, did the presentation and the crowd loved it. It wasn’t the first great moment the likable O’Neill has enjoyed in the Daines arena. Twenty years earlier he rode the great Air Wolf to 95 points, a score that shares the honour of being the highest marked ride in Canadian bronc riding history. “I don’t know how you pulled this off, Jack,” O’Neill shook his head as he took possession of the bronze, and then added, “You got me, that’s for sure. But it’s cool to finally get this bronze and have it delivered here in Innisfail.” —D.P.
The Butterfield name has long been synonymous with the sport of rodeo. Recently the name resonated with a larger sport audience when three Bud, Brian and Tom Butterfield brothers, Tom, Vernon (better known Butterfield; Ponoka as Bud) and Brian were inducted into the Alberta Stampede, 1994 Sports Hall of Fame in the “Pioneer Award — Rodeo” category. (Blake Butterfield accepted the award on behalf of his Dad, Tom, who passed away in 2000.) Cowboys’ Protective Association (forerunner to the CPRA) in 1956 Raised on a mixed farm west of Ponoka, the Butterfield boys and Brian served as CPRA president from 1958–1959. began competing in rodeos in the 40s. All three brothers were top In 2010, the Ponoka Stampede created the Tom Butterfield competitors with numerous Steer Decorating and Steer Wrestling, Creating Cowboys Scholarship–awarded to one boy and one girl All-Around, and Calgary Stampede titles to their credit. annually. Tom, Bud and Brian Butterfield were inducted into In addition to their successes in the arena, the trio made tremen- the Canadian Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame in 1996, were honoured as dous contributions to the sport and their community. Tom served Legends and Pioneers at the 75th Diamond Jubilee of the Ponoka as a 30-year Ponoka Stampede director, and as President for a term Stampede and received the Calgary Stampede Pioneers of Rodeo in addition to his time as a CPRA Board member. Bud joined the Award in 2012. — B.P.
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Canadian Cowboy Country August/September 2016
PHOTO BY MIKE COPEMAN; KEN MARCINKOWSKI
BUTTERFIELD BROTHERS INDUCTED INTO ALBERTA SPORTS HALL OF FAME