We finally made it to see the "Greatest Show on Dirt" the Calgary Stampede in Calgary, Alberta Canada this year. It was a quick trip but filled with fun times and seeing good friends. We started at Spruce Meadows, an international equestrian center that is privately owned and open to the public three times a year for world class jumping and showing. These are some of the horse that were on display around the center showing different international organizations and of course the Calgary Stampede.
Check out their website: http://www.sprucemeadows.com/ Also they had mama's and babies, like the one McB is petting, a chance to name a few of their new foals and this crazy event called, Dock Dogs where dogs can win prize money based on how far they jump off a dock to get their toy that was tossed by the owner. McB stood up hear the 'dock' and got pretty soaked a few times watching the dogs jump in. The center was amazing and we would love to go back there and spend an entire day just watching the jumping, steeplechase, dock dogs and seeing the horses. Truly a beautiful place. 
After a morning of horse jumping we moved onto the main event and the Calgary Stampede. It was a quick trip so we were only going to see two perfs. We made the most of it by helping Jody clean the horse stalls before going over to sit with her in the contestants and family seating area. We were really lucky to go while Gary Rempel ( http://rempelperformancehorses.com/press/ ) is still one of the official Calgary Stampede Pick Up men. He along with his brother, Wade make a great team. They use anywhere from 4-6 horses per show and at this rodeo they even had time to lean over the fence and chat with McB a bit. Jody and I had a great time people watching and Brad just enjoyed being able to take pictures and watch the rodeo undisturbed. 
After the show both days we went back to the barns where McB was able to help walk the horses, brush them and give them treats. She loves Gary's horses. We were able to enjoy some fine Canadian whiskey and laughs with Gary and Jody.
McB even managed to get on the big screen during the rodeo when one of the announcers interviewed a cowboy. She figured out the angle of the camera was on our section and moved into the shot.
Talk about funny! She is at the top of the screen in the corner grinning away.
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| Did I mention the fine Canadian Crown Royal you could drink? Mounties preparing to drill was a bonus! |
The rodeo and arena are amazing and huge, they bring in over 100 thousand people a day to watch it and see the night show that features chuck wagon races and spectacular fireworks. The fairgrounds is huge as well. An abundance of rides for all ages, an Ag department with beautiful livestock and a few little treasures like this place that we enjoyed! We sent a picture to my dad, who was in Las Vegas and he immediately wanted to go to Toby Keith's restaurant for something, anything that was deep fat fried!
We stayed right downtown and in the shadow of the 520 meter high Calgary Tower. It was awesome and a little unnerving to stand on the observation platform and look down. I don't think McB and I ever got used to standing on it but we did enjoy the beautiful 360 degree view of Calgary and as far as the eye could see beauty. Breathtaking on many levels. If you ever go to Calgary for the rodeo in July or just for fun, we both recommend visiting the tower.
Downtown has a few main streets that during the Stampede are shut down during most of the day and some of the evening for vendors to sell food, souvenirs, take pictures and host square dancing and pancake breakfasts. McB found her new favorite hat, a pink cowboy hat, down there and was gracious enough to pose for a picture with her dad as we walked down the street one evening.
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