Artist
none
Location
GMC Stadium Courtyard
Installed
2014
Type
Aluminum with powder-coated etchings
Donors
Calgary Stampede & Government of Canada
About the Installation
These horseshoes represent the strength of the iron that protects their animals from harm.
This art installation honours the champions of the Calgary Stampede rodeo and chuckwagon races – the very heart of the annual celebration – people bringing forward their best and achieving excellence. These are the men and women who finished first in their respective events.
Known as The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth, the Calgary Stampede features two crowd favourites, the afternoon Rodeo, and the thrilling and breath-taking Chuckwagon Races.
The rodeo consists of six major disciplines – bareback riding, barrel racing, bull riding, saddle-bronc riding, steer wrestling and tie-down roping.
The chuckwagon races, now known as the Cowboys Rangeland Derby, were invented by American promoter, and Stampede founder, Guy Weadick in 1923.
Did You Know?
The first rodeo took place in 1912. Following a hiatus, the Stampede returned in 1919 to honour soldiers returning from World War I. The festival became an annual event in 1923 when it merged with the Calgary Industrial Exhibition to create the Calgary Exhibition and Stampede, now known simply as the Calgary Stampede.
At one time, the winner of the chuckwagon races was the first team to complete the course and then make a fire in their stove and have first smoke.