BORN TO BUCK BREEDING PROGRAM
The Calgary Stampede is justifiably proud of our “Born to Buck” program that has, over the years, made the Stampede one of the premier producers of rodeo rough stock in the world. Housed on the Stampede’s 21,773 acre ranch near Hanna in East central Alberta, 400 horses and 80 bulls make up the herd that has carried the Stampede’s banner to the rodeo world. Stampede stock make regular appearances at many of North America’s biggest and best rodeos. Along the way, and in keeping with its mission statement, the Stampede Ranch has been home to many rodeo champions.
The Rodeo Division oversees the sophisticated breeding program that involves pairing selected proven mares to one of a group of stallions that the Stampede either owns or leases from contractors from all over North America. Every spring, the arrival of the new crop of foals is anxiously awaited. Each year’s babies are given a letter of the alphabet as the first letter of their names - each letter corresponding with the year of birth: for example - French Wake, Flavoured Cherry and Fearless Warrior were all born in 1996.The 2005 colts are R’s; the 2006’s are S’s. For 34 years, the Calgary Stampede has maintained written production and performance records of all of its horses. The development of good young bucking stock is anything but a random process and the results of the Stampede’s program is seen in the numerous honours accumulating to the organization. It is a program that both reflects and deserves the name “Born to Buck.”
What follows are the names of some of the Stampede's current, future and former four-legged superstars.
