A long-time legend of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) rodeo arena, Calgary Stampede bucking horse John Wayne has passed away at the remarkable age of 32.
The Calgary Stampede is an annual rodeo, exhibition, and festival every July in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The ten-day event is billed as “The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.”
It attracts more than one million visitors per year and features one of the world’s largest rodeos, a parade, stage shows, concerts, agriculture competitions, and chuckwagon racing.
In 2008, the Calgary Stampede was inducted into the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame.
Named in honor of movie star cowboy legend John Wayne, the bucking horse’s longevity is testament to the care he received throughout his life, as well as his own incredible strength and spirit.
John Wayne, the bronc, joined the Stampede herd in 1995, thanks to a smart purchase at a local bucking horse sale.
The big buckskin gelding went on to become a rock-steady performer for just shy of two decades.
“He was a money horse. Rain, shine, indoors, outdoors. Wherever he was, he was a winner. It doesn’t get more Calgary Stampede than John Wayne,” said Tyler Kraft, manager of the Calgary Stampede Ranch and Stock Contracting operations.
The renowned bucking horse made 19 Calgary Stampede appearances, had 11 invitations to the National Finals Rodeo (NFR), and performed at 17 Canadian Finals Rodeos.
More than $300,000 was won on the powerful bucking horse throughout his career, perhaps a record itself if such tabulations are maintained.
“I had the pleasure of drawing the ‘Duke’ close to 20 times. He was great every time, never took a day off,” 20-time NFR qualifier Rod Hay said. “He would be in my top five favorite horses of all time. He was a beauty.”
Bucking horse John Wayne had the final out of his career in the spotlight of the National Finals Rodeo in 2013.
He spent the last few years of his long and remarkable life showing the yearlings and two-year-olds of the Stampede’s Born to Buck program the ways of the world.
Wild and free, like his namesake, John Wayne, the bronc, was surrounded by the blue skies and wide-open grasslands of the 23,000-acre Stampede Ranch.
CUTLINE
Renowned rodeo bucking horse John Wayne had the final out of his career at the National Finals Rodeo in 2013. (Profession Rodeo Cowboys Association photo)
