The Cowboys

(L - R Alan "Tib" Moodie, Buck Hardin, Ben Rose, Harry Otterson 1952)

In the early part of this century, Shaunavon was a stop-over point for spring and fall cattle drives.  Cowboys were always looking for ways to show off their skills.  Townsfolk were always looking for ways to keep the cowboys out of trouble.

Favorite cowboy pastimes seemed to be shooting up the town and riding horses into the Empress Hotel and Kennedy Hotel bars.  A rodeo seemed the perfect solution.  So on July 1st, 1914, Shaunavon hosted its first rodeo.  It was a huge success with cowboys as well as townsfolk.

Over the years, the rodeo evolved from a local event to one of national caliber where you could watch famous cowboys like Slippers, Buck Murphy, Alec La Frambois and Buck Hardin.

Today, the Shaunavon Rodeo is sanctioned by the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association.  You can still watch famous cowboys compete, as they make their way from the Calgary Stampede, east to Manitoba.