Passion for rodeo history is still burning bright

Times Reporter

 

Strathmore resident Judi Wilson has been an integral part of rodeo for years and a member of the Canadian Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame board since 2005. 

Her brother had been on the board of directors and she had sat in on a few meetings over the years. One day her brother called wanting her to get on the board. At the time she was busy and just kind of put it off until she received calls from other members saying they would like her to run. In 2005 she did and was elected to the board. Wilson has been a proud member of it ever since. 

“Every year we induct prominent names, people that deserve to be remembered for their contributions to rodeo in the builder category, for the talents in the arena and that’s a contestant category and for the animals that make a name, whether they’re dogging horses, roping horses, bareback horses, bronc horses, bulls,” said Wilson.

Every year there are seven names inducted into the Hall of Fame, one animal and then six either builders or contestants. One of the biggest things the board has been working on is trying to find a home in whick to display the commemorative items. If it’s a contestant inducted the board will be given chaps, or spurs or pictures, things that are unique to their time in rodeo. They are displayed in secured cases. That goal of finding a home has come to fruition when space became available in Ponoka. 

The board has been close to having a building half a dozen times, but it’s never worked out before. Wilson said everything is almost ready, though it will still be a year before the building opens. The building offers close to 10,000 square feet of space, and by being in Ponoka, Wilson said it’s in the centre of rodeo and ranching country and is the centre of Alberta.

Wilson looks after the presentations for the recognition ceremonies for each and every inductee, a total of 10 at all of the different rodeos. 

In between all of that, she does interviews on the inductees and on their travelling partners from the past, creating a picture story on them to present on DVD for the presentations in the fall.  

“At this Strathmore Heritage Days we did Donny Jo (Johansen) on the Saturday, but then on Sunday very near and dear to my heart was the Keith Schneider Memorial, and so I did that one as well and that went to Ray Stewart,” said Wilson.

“That’s an award that was designed by the rodeo committee to honour those that have contributed to what happens in this rodeo event. Keith was phenomenal throughout all of his tenure as a mayor and even after that.”

Wilson said Schneider continued his support even after his time as mayor, and would brag all over the world about Heritage Days. Wilson said Schneider’s wife and daughters would be a part of Heritage Days forever. 

Blake Schlosser, one of the pick up guys, decided this was his last rodeo, so Wilson, on short notice, contacted his family, got them to the grounds in time to be a part of the ceremony recognizing Schlosser’s time with the rodeo. Schlosser was surprised and honoured to see his family there, who mean the world to him. His family is part of the reason why he is moving out of his role with the rodeo. Schlosser said he has had his turn and now it is time to go down the rodeo trail with his kids and give them the opportunities that he had. Wilson said when Schlosser turned around and saw his family it became an emotional moment for him.

“That’s my reward, that’s where I get my satisfaction. I absolutely love putting our cowboys on that pedestal that they so deserve. That’s why I do it,” said Wilson.

“It’s the history of rodeo and the guys, if it wasn’t for the Rodeo Hall of Fame there’s going to be people that fall through the cracks that nobody’s ever heard of. It’s so important to remember where all these young guys today started out from. It just keeps evolving and evolving. We have to stay connected to our past if we’re ever going to honour our future, and that’s what I love to do.”

She said Donny Johansen was a prime example, when he was shaking and choked full of emotion, she realized then how important it is to someone who has had successful career in rodeo to know that they won’t be forgotten about when they finally leave the circuit. 

“There’s no greater satisfaction in the world then seeing someone get emotional like that and know how much it means to them. That’s why I do it, that’s the only reason why I do it,”

She said if she didn’t have the support of her husband Bill she wouldn’t be able to be a part of it. Wilson said the other day someone told her she should get an award for all her work and time, and she told them that if someone ever thought about it they should really give it to Bill. She does it because she is passionate about it, and he does it to support her.