Day at the Calgary Stampede

Dalhousie LRT Station, NW Calgary

By 7:30 a.m. Jo Anne, Tsa Poh, Andy, and Tik joined me on the LRT (Light Rapid Transit) train to the Stampede Park. It was Senior's Day and Tsa Poh wanted to get there early.

Tik was visiting from Vancouver and this was his first Stampede as well as his first visit to Calgary. There's so much to talk about. Andy had not seen Tik in the 3 months since he left Bangkok and emigrated to Canada.

Victoria Station, Stampede Park

When we arrived a watery sun came out. We hoped it would not rain today.

I got their autographs and my picture taken with these guys. They are four of the outriders that we will see later today at the chuckwagon races.

Go Superdogs! They are so well trained (mostly). If only Gigi could see them!

Tsa Poh and I are waiting for the Superdogs to come out.

"Two whip-cracking sheilas from Oz"

Superdog!

The Rodeo

"O Canada"

This is the start of one of the chuckwagon races. There are four wagons in each heat. Each wagon is pulled by four horses and driven by one driver. Each wagon is accompanied by four outriders. One holds the team's head, the other three behind have to hold onto a barrel and a couple of sticks as well as control their mounts. As soon as the klaxon blares, the outriders at back throw the equipment into the chuckwagon then all outriders have to mount up and race like mad to stay within the prescribed distance from their chuckwagon. Meanwhile, the drivers must guide their teams in a figure eight around the white barrels in the picture then take off down the oval and come back round to the finish line. This sport is not without accidents. While we were watching, one of the horses collapsed just as it got to the home stretch.

Blue Calgary evening. It promised clear skies and no rain for the Grandstand Show.

"The Big Show"

"Big Show" was the theme of the Grandstand Show. Each year it seems the organizers try to put on an extravaganza to outdo the extravaganza in previous years. It always includes elaborate costumes, music, dancing, and of course, fabulous fireworks. This year, inspiration came from Cirque du Soleil so the show included acrobats and tumblers and a daredevil motorcycle team.