The Calgary Stampede

The tourists had an early-morning training session yesterday, followed by a 2-hour all-you-can-eat brunch buffet, in which Ed Aspinal won the prize for continuing to eat for the longest. We then visited the Calgary Stampede, 'The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth'. We spent time wondering among the many stalls, games and rides - the Calgary Stampede is an enormous fair as well as a rodeo - and then went into the Grandstand to watch the Rodeo Final. We were then treated to 3 and a half hours of Tie-Down Racing, where men raced to tie up a calf; Bareback Riding, where riders fought to stay on a bucking horse; Steer Wrestling, in which a young bull was wrestled to the ground by a cowboy; Saddle Bronc, which was similar to Bareback Racing but with a saddle; Barrel Racing, in which cowgirls raced their horses around three barrels, without knocking them over; and - craziest of them all - bull riding, where the cowboys tries to stay on the back of a bucking bull for at least 8 seconds and were then scored on technique. Luckily we saw no injuries!

After more time spent in the fair, we returned to the Grandstand in the evening for the Chuckwagon Racing and the finale show. The Chuckwagons were horse-drawn carts that raced at breakneck speed around the track, accompanied by outriders, and symbolising the first pioneers who came to Western Canada. After this, we saw the finale show, named the Big Show, in which Candian singers, dancers and a comedian entertained us into the night. The show was concluded with a fabulous fireworks display. We hope to upload some photos of the Stampede soon.