27
Ox Race1911
Wood Mountain, Saskatchewan, Canada
28
In 1907 the land was surveyed at Wood Mountain and soon the first homesteaders arrived. Many of them used oxen to pull the plows they used to break the land. Before long an ox race became part of the program."Another highlight was the oxen race. One was ridden by Toto Brown. First one ox would run away, stop dead and by this time the other might have gotten started. At each stop the bets would shift." -Bob McDole
29
Waiting for a Ladies Race1919
Wood Mountain, Saskatchewan, Canada
30
Ladies Races were also added to the program."There was a sports day at Wood Mountain and I was offered a horse to ride in the ladies race. I came in second. The prize was a glass pickle dish that meant nothing to me but Inspector Richard's wife came up to me and put a dollar in my hand. I rode in the races again the next year but had an unbroken horse and couldn't control it and someone had to run me down and stop the horse." -Augusta Hoffman
31
Cars Around the Race Track1925
Wood Mountain, Saskatchewan, Canada
32
By the 1920's horse races were so popular that a special track and a judging stand were constructed. Hundreds of people came in automobiles to watch the race."Dad's sport was running thoroughbred race horses. One, Lady Sprague, we brought up with us. My own saddle horse was a colt from her called Birdie. She won many races for us. Dad never missed a Wood Mountain rodeo as long as he lived there. It was a big time for us." -Mildred Sceli
33
Bartholomew's Race Horse1925
Rural Municipality of Waverley, Saskatchewan, Canada
34
As the 1920's boomed and prize money increased so did the racing competition. Professional racing stables in southern Saskatchewan and northern Montana sent their finest thoroughbred horses to race at Wood Mountain.35
The First Grandstand1925
Wood Mountain, Saskatchewan, Canada
36
In 1925 a grandstand was built from poplar poles to provide the fans with a better view of the finish line. Horse racing became a big time sport with a lot of side betting.37
Chuckwagon Race1935
Wood Mountain, Saskatchewan, Canada
38
Chuckwagon races were introduced to the program in the 1930's. Two outriders loaded a stove into the back of a wagon pulled by two horses. Most of the wagons were operated by local ranchers."The wagons were camped in the arena with the horses turned loose and the cowboys eating lunch. When the starting gun fired, they broke camp, loaded the stoves and other equipment, caught their horses, hitched their wagons, then sped around the track and back into the arena. The first wagon to show smoke coming from its stove was declared the winner." -Pat Fitzpatrick
39
Bronc Riding in a Small Arena1923
Wood Mountain, Saskatchewan, Canada
40
Racing continued as part of the summer celebrations at Wood Mountain until the mid-1950's but long before that rodeo events became the main attraction."An Indian brought some horses to the settlement and Fred Brown caught up a buckskin and saddled it up with my brand new $75 California saddle. He held his hand over the pony's head while I got on and then he hit the pony on the rump. I pulled leather for all I was worth and managed to stay on." William Ogle
 |
 |
 |
 |