14
In the 1930's a lot of young cowboys traveled from rodeo to rodeo. This was the beginning of the rodeo circuit. They'd go from one rodeo to the next and after the last one a circuit champion would be declared. Wood Mountain was part of the circuit.15
Fir Mountain Ladies Ball Team1942
Southern Saskatchewan, Canada
16
Ball games were held before and after the rodeo events. Ladies ball became a feature in the 1930's and 1940's. Some of the first uniforms were made from dyed flour sacks and then as the economy improved the teams were able to afford uniforms."In 1943 I coached the Huskies softball team. That team won most of their games and tournaments those years. Hilda Lindholm's strong pitching arm won many games. . In 1943 Alice Dejaegher pitched some winning games, too."
-Charles Brandow
17
A Cowboy in Uniform, World War II1942
Southern Saskatchewan, Canada
18
During the Second World War many of the rodeo cowboys joined the Canadian Armed Forces."After the war it felt good to get back on the broncs and right from the start I was winning more than I ever hoped for. Five of the biggest rodeos formed the Saskatchewan Rodeo circuit and I ended up as the Saddle Bronc Champion which not only gave me a good start but also the confidence to keep going."
- Cliff Anderson
19
Joe Ogle, champion roper1943
R.M. of Old Post No. 43, Saskatchewan, Canada
20
As Wood Mountain cowboys followed the circuit and gained experience they did quite well. Calf roper Joe Ogle won the Saskatchewan championship from 1938 to 1944."I went to all those rodeos in Swift Current, Moose Jaw, Regina, maybe Weyburn.
And Wood Mountain, was part of it, too."
- Joe Ogle
21
Carl Olson - World Champion Bronc Rider1943
Southern Saskatchewan, Canada
22
Another local cowboy, Carl Olson, went on to take part in the main rodeos all over North America. He won the World Saddle Bronc Championship in 1947. His success encouraged other young men to try rodeo and helped to keep rodeo alive at Wood Mountain."Riding bucking horses for prize money, I always tried to let my style depend on what I'd draw. Some I'd float and others I'd take a good solid hold of, for almost everyone will try you different."
- Carl Olson
23
Wood Mountain Recreational Club Share1946
Wood Mountain, Saskatchewan, Canada
24
In 1947, the Turf Club was reorganized as the Wood Mountain Recreational Club in order to retain the lease on the rodeo grounds. Voting shares were sold."The first five directors were Robert McDole, Charles Blouin, Tony Westergard, Andrew Caragata and Remy Decock. Ivan Root was the first secretary. Tony Westergard provided leadership. "
- Pat Fitzpatrick
25
Grandstand1965
Wood Mountain, Saskatchewan, Canada
Credits:Copyright Rick White
26
In 1947 the Recreational Club built a new grandstand. It is still in use and each year the spectators sit under a canopy of aspen branches."Tony Westergard and some of us in the club, like the Mergels, took an old railway trestle apart and the put it together down at the rodeo grounds as a new grandstand. Tony was there everyday, and the rest of us were there once in a while. We were all volunteers."
- Andrew Caragata
27
Wood Mountain Swimming Pool1990
Wood Mountain, Saskatchewan, Canada
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