2013
ARNOLD HARAGA - Contestant Inducted 2013
ARNOLD HARAGA
Arnold was cowboy to the core. He claimed the All Around Championship in 1970 and in that same year won the Canadian Championship in the Steer Wrestling event. He staying in the top five of the Tie Down Roping and Steer Wrestling standings through most of his rodeo career. Arnold had a tremendous amount of try. He was so determined to better himself in his sport that he would practice for hours until it was just too dark to see in his practice pen. He would not be satisfied to stop practicing until he felt everything was to his standards. It was such dedication that made him a champion. Arnold was a multi-talented man and took up the art of sculpting later in his life. Sadly the rodeo world lost a great competitor and a wonderful supporter of the sport when he passed away.
GINA MCDOUGALL - Contestant Inducted 2013
GINA MCDOUGALL
Even though Gina was only actively competing on the professional circuit for four years, she was the Alberta Circuit Champion and twice earned the title of Canadian Ladies Barrel Racing Champion. These titles were won in 1962 and 1963. She put on barrel racing schools and many young ladies got their first guidance in the sport from this knowledgeable horse woman. Gina became a renowned artist, creating bronze sculptures to be cherished by award winners for years to come.
FRED ROPE HORSE
- Animal Inducted 2013
FRED ROPE HORSE
The very first tie down roping horse to be inducted into the Canadian Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame is a horse that was simply known as Fred. This horse was named the best horse in his event in 1985, 1986, and 1994. Larry Robinson made a large portion of his career earnings when he was roping off of Fred.
MERV CHURCHILL - Builder
Inducted 2013
MERV CHURCHILL
Merv is a life-long resident of Falkland, BC and he is the main reason for the success of the Falkland Stampede. He has been actively involved in the management of his hometown professional rodeo for over 25 years. In 1982, Merv was deservedly named the Committee Person of the year in the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association.
BILL BOYD - Contestant
Inducted 2013
BILL BOYD
Bill Boyd started riding and training colts at the age of 10. After a brief stint in the amateur ranks he bought his Canadian Professional Rodeo Association card in 1983 and his P.R.C.A. card in 1984. As a professional bareback rider, he had an astounding 22 consecutive qualifications for the CFR and also qualified for the NFR 5 times. He won the Canadian title in Bareback riding in 1992, 1994 and 2001. Bill was named Cowboy of the Year in 2003. He is known to have been a fair and honest competitor with tremendous respect for the stock. More recently Bill can be found training race horses or serving as a pickup man at various rodeos. He resides near Olds, AB.
Bob Fisher - Legend, Inducted 2013
Bob Fisher
Known as “Fish”, Bob Fisher competed in the Saddle Bronc Riding in the 1940’s and 1950’s all over Canada and the United States. He rode in many venues, including New York’s Madison Square Gardens, while his main mode of travel was hopping trains. Late in his career he began entering the Bull Riding and retired completely from rodeo competition in 1956. Bob Fisher is fondly remembered as a fun-loving, colorful character with a remarkable sense of humor.
Kirk Thomson - Legend, Inducted 2013
Kirk Thomson
Kirk Thomson’s father, Ken, was one of the organizing members of the Cowboys’ Protective Association which evolved into the C.P.R.A. Kirk was destined to be a cowboy and started riding steers and roping calves at the age of 10. He then turned to riding broncs, qualifying for the Novice Saddle Bronc Riding at the 1975 C.F.R. By 1979 he qualified for the C.F.R. in the professional Saddle Bronc Riding. Over the years Kirk also competed in the Bareback Riding and finished second in the Bull Riding at the 1978 Calgary Stampede. Kirk has offered encouragement and advice to young rodeo contestants and, in years past, put on Bull Riding schools with his brother, Jordie. It is very evident that rodeo is in his blood and a huge part of his life.