1998

Keith Hyland - Contestant/Builder
Inducted - September 19, 1998

Keith Hyland

Keith entered his first rodeo at Alsask, Saskatchewan, in 1945 at age 13. He continued to compete for the next 25 years, participating in all the major events, with Saddle Bronc riding being his favorite and most profitable. From 1955 to 1967, Keith was never lower than third in the Canadian All-Around standings and won this coveted title in 1962 and 1964. He was runner-up in the Saddle Bronc event three times (1955, 1959 and 1964). In 1956 and 1957, Keith won both the Canadian and North American All-Around Championships at the Calgary Stampede.

In 1961, Keith was elected to the Canadian Rodeo Cowboys Association Board of Directors, and was instrumental in starting Canadian Rodeo Information, a weekly news release on rodeo results and standings. In 1977, he also developed and operated the Central Rodeo Entry System, handling entries for professional rodeos sanctioned by the CRCA. Eventually, the system was computerized and Keith continued to oversee it until 1996.

The CRCA Board of Directors hired Keith in 1978 on a full-time basis as the General Manager, and later, Rodeo Administrator, a position he held until he retired in 1996. Keith was instrumental in organizing three successful rodeos in the Maritime Provinces in 1980 and co-ordinated the popular Copenhagen Dodge Pro Rodeo Tour. He was also a key figure in the development of the nationally televised Budweiser Pro Rodeo Series, acting as technical adviser for all telecasts. Keith implemented the Pro Rodeo Judging System in 1983, and conducted subsequent judging seminars.

During his employment with the association, prize money increased from $600,000 to more than $3,000,000, the Canadian Finals Rodeo prize money increased from $24,000 to $500,000.

Kingsway Skoal - Animal
Inducted - September 19, 1998

Kingsway Skoal

The top cowboys in the Bareback Riding at both the Canadian and National Finals Rodeos selected Verne Franklin's horse, Kingsway, to go in the prestigious draw for the first time in 1987, as a five-year-old. This bay gelding was selected to perform at both championships every year through to 1996.

Beginning his rodeo career as a bareback horse, Kingsway earned his first National Finals Rodeo award in 1987. The following year, Kingsway was named top bareback horse for Canada, the Canadian Finals Rodeo, National Finals Rodeo, the World and the Olympic Rodeo held in Calgary. He picked up two more Canadian and Canadian Finals Rodeo bareback titles, in 1990 and 1991, before being switched to the Saddle Bronc event in 1992.

Kingsway met the new challenge with ease, and went on to earn the title of Saddle Bronc Horse of the Calgary Stampede, the CFR and Canada in 1992. He was voted the Canadian Champion five straight years from 1992 through 1996, and in 1993 and 1995, Kingsway was again named best of the broncs at the CFR. He was selected Best Saddle Bronc Horse of the NFR in 1993 and 1995, and became the World Champion Saddle Bronc for 1995 and 1996.

In the spring of 1997, while out on a vast pasture of the Franklin Ranch near Bonnyville, Alberta, where Kingsway was born and raised, the great bronc had a mysterious accident. He was diagnosed with an injured vertebrae,and retired from the rodeo arena with numerous tributes.

"He was an athlete, just like we are," recalled World Champion Bareback Rider Clint Corey. "You'd get down in the chute and he was as ready to go as we were. He knew what he was going to do. It was really an honour to be able to get on him. I'm glad I got a chance to in my career."

Mac Leask – Contestant/Builder
Inducted - September 19, 1998

Mac Leask

Mac was raised on a ranch in the Madden, Alberta, area and started competing in local rodeos at the age of 14.

He competed for several years as a professional, entering every event except the saddle bronc riding. Between Mac and his two brothers, George and Donald (Slim), they won the Wild Cow Milking event at the Calgary Stampede for six consecutive years. Along with Slim, Mac also competed successfully in the Wild Horse Race, winning the event at the 1952 Calgary Stampede.

Working for several contractors, such as Harry Vold, Reg Kesler and Clarence Gingrich, Mac was known as an outstanding pickup man. He loved the excitement of Chuckwagon Racing and was an outrider for numerous chuckwagon outfits as well. When Bob Heberling won the Calgary Stampede Chuckwagon Race title in 1950, Mac was one of his outriders.

In 1953, Mac left the professional rodeo circuit to compete at local and amateur rodeos. He began to work on the organization of another association, not to compete with a pro rodeo, but as a place for young cowboys to get their start. In 1955, Mac and a group of interested cowboys met in Sundre, Alberta, and laid the groundwork for what would become the Foothills Cowboys Association. Since its’ inception, the FCA has evolved into one of the premiere amateur rodeo associations in Canada. Mac was elected the first President, held that position for 11 years, and was a major promoter of the first FCA Finals. He remained one of the most influential forces in the organization up until his sudden passing in 1979.

Mac had a rough exterior and never wavered from an upbringing of honesty and fair play, which he fought to instill in the sport of rodeo. Even after Mac retired from active competition, he could be found picking up, acting as arena director, or working in some other capacity at Little Britches, All-Girl and amateur rodeos or jackpot events. 

Don Perrin - Contestant/Builder
Inducted -September 19, 1998

Don Perrin

From the time he was old enough to walk, Don was trying to ride animals that bucked, beginning with calves and working his way up. He began his rodeo career in 1919 while working as a ranch hand breaking horses for the Dickson brothers who ranched near Maple Creek, Saskatchewan.and he also worked for Pioneer Ranch and for T.B. Long on the 70 Mile Ranch at White Mud.
During the 1920s and '30s, Don competed in many of the rodeos throughout Western Canada and the U.S. with great success. One of the highlights of his career as a noted cowboy came in 1924 when he was selected as a member of the Canadian team of cowboys which represented Canada in an International Rodeo at Wembley. England where teams from the U.S.A. and Australia also competed.

Don was declared the Saskatchewan Saddle Bronc Champion in 1932, and continued to compete until 1937 when he was bedridden for four years due to a collapsed lung following an operation.
The Kinetic Club, sponsors of the first Swift Current "Frontier Days Rodeo" in 1938 chose Don to be producer and arena manager. He successfully produced the rodeo for 12 years until 1950. Don also produced rodeos in many other Saskatchewan communities including Weyburn, Maple Creek, Melville, Assiniboia and Yorkton, and managed the rodeo at Regina for three years.

Always respected as a gentleman, who had the ability to work well with others in the production of rodeos, Don is credited with the growth and development of rodeo in Saskatchewan. The expansion of rodeo in the province also led to the formation of the Saskatchewan Rodeo Association in 1944, which benefitted both contestants and rodeo committees.

Len Perry - Builder
Inducted - September 19, 1998

Len Perry

In 1965, Len started to ride and show cutting horses, which soon lead to an involvement with rodeo which spanned more than three decades. Len accepted the position of chairman for the Edmonton Spring Rodeo Committee in 1967, and two years later was elected to the Edmonton Northlands Board of Directors. He served as President of Edmonton Northlands in 1980 and 1981.


When the Canadian Finals Rodeo was formed in 1974, Len played a significant part in the development of the event and became the first Chairman. The CFR Commission, a governing body of representatives from Edmonton Northlands and the Canadian Rodeo Cowboys Association (now the CPRA) was also formed, and Len was named Commissioner, a position he held for 20 years from 1974 through 1995. The success of the Canadian Finals Rodeo speaks for the time and effort Len put forth on a volunteer basis.

Len’s dedication and visionary contributions to the betterment of rodeo and the western way of life extended to the Western Heritage Center as a member of the first Board of Directors representing the Canadian Rodeo Historical Association, a position he held for several years.


A past President and Honorary Life Member of the Canadian Cutting Horse Association, Len is a recipient of the Prince of Wales Award and a member of the Canadian Cutting Horse Association Hall of Fame. In 1996, he became a recipient of the prestigious Blue Ribbon Award presented by the Western Fairs Association.

Len and his wife, Sheila, reside on their ranch on the Old Man River near Coaldale, Alberta.

Bud VanCleave – Contestant
Inducted - September 19, 1998

Bud VanCleave

Bud won his first Canadian Championship in 1951, in the Wild Horse Race event. He repeated this in 1952, and added his first All-Around Championship. Over the following 15 years, he won three Calf Roping Championships in 1959, 1961 and 1965, and was also second in the Calf Roping standings three other years.

Starting his rodeo career at the age of 16, Bud competed in every event except the Bareback Riding, and occasionally worked as a bullfighter and clown. Concentrating mainly on Saddle Bronc Riding, Calf Roping, Steer Wrestling and Steer Decorating, he won the decorating event at the Calgary Stampede in 1958. Bud’s name appeared among the top five Steer Decorators in Canada every year from 1953 through 1958.

Bud has always been willing to help in the rodeo arena in any capacity, from judging or running the timed event chutes, to providing roping calves and steers. After retiring from competition in 1966, Bud judged many rodeos across Canada and the U.S., and served as the timed event flagger at the Canadian Finals Rodeo for five years.

During the 1950s and ‘60s, Bud served 12 consecutive years on the Board of Directors of the Cowboys Protective Association (now the CPRA), including terms as Vice-President, All-Around Director and Calf Roping Director.

Bud and his wife, Doris, raise cattle on their ranch near Taber, Alberta.