The Calgary Stampede has been a regular occurrence at Calgary’s Stampede Park since 1912. Billed as “The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth,” it was founded by American trick roper Guy Weadick. Weadick envisioned a “Wild West Extravaganza,” and with twenty thousand dollars in prize money and over one hundred thousand spectators the first year, it was a huge success.

The internationally recognized rodeo has been popular since its inception. Here we see Fred Hunt riding a bronco named Skye Blue at the stampede, probably sometime during the 1930s.

Fred’s life saw a great variety of careers besides rodeo riding. Born in the County of Middlesex, near London, England, he was conscripted into the County of London Yeomanry, a British cavalry regiment. He served under General Allenby on the Egyptian-Gaza front and fought at the Battles of Gaza and Megiddo, marching into Jerusalem in December 1917.

After emigrating to Canada in the 1920s, he worked across Western Canada before ending up near Binscarth, Manitoba, and marrying Margaret Mactier. Fred and his wife moved to Winnipeg, where Fred worked as a court stenographer. Neil says on Sundays he would practise his short hand by transcribing radio sermons. He died in 1978.

Neil Hill is a great-nephew of Margaret and Fred Hunt. He lives in Peterborough, Ontario.