High Prairie Elks Rodeo History
The High Prairie Elks Pro Rodeo has a long and storied history. The first Elks Rodeo was in 1946. To promote the event, two local cowboys visited the local bar, ordered a beer, drank it and left, all while on horseback. There have been various events over the years, but one that proved especially popular was the Wagon Race. It consisted of hitching a horse to a wagon, racing around the track and then building a fire and brewing a pot of tea.
The first few years of rodeo, the bucking judge was Walter Weber. He had a very difficult task to perform, trying to judge both sides of the animal and rider.
To kick off the steer riding, Ferris Phelps and Jessie Symmington would come out of the chute, riding the same bull - facing in opposite directions. No one can recall, if they ever made the eight second count!
In some of the early years, the Elks got bucking
horses from the Patterson Ranch in Beaverlodge. The hands at the
Patterson Ranch would load the horses into stock cars on the railroad at
Beaverlodge and ship them to High Prairie. After the train arrived, they
were unloaded at the local stockyard and then the local Elks would drive
the horses through town, to the rodeo grounds. This was an event in
itself, and truly a sight to behold. As only a few of the Elks members
had a horse to ride, the remainder, which by the way was the majority of
them, were on foot, trying to drive these half wild horses to the
grounds. Sometimes half the community became involved in this hair
raising event. Many a garden suffered the consequences and some broom
waving occurred!
As the popularity of the Rodeo grew, the Elks made the decision to enter the Professional Rodeo Circuit in 1960. They rented stock from Reg Kesler, who had Canadian Professional Rodeo Association approved stock and brought in Wagner Shows as the midway. It was also at that time the Elks introduced the Pony Raffle which still continues today.
The new Rodeo Hall was constructed by the Elks in 1985; a roof was built over the main bleachers area and fences, corrals and chutes were improved. In 1999, the corrals were all completed to pipe structures; the announcers’ booth was moved, enlarged, and a sponsor seating area was added. In 2005 the Elks enlarged the VIP area and constructed "Ray's Patio." In 2006, wheelchair accessible, engineered aluminum bleachers were assembled in the covered grandstand area. ($600,000 project).