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Bareback riding at the Keremeos Rodeo1970-1990
Keremeos, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, Canada
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The beginnings of early rodeos came about as a result of ranching. After all, bucking out mustangs, roping calves, and herding cattle were all a part of the everyday ranch work, which required skilled horsemanship. It was only natural that the cowboys should get together for a friendly competition to test and display their prowess.3
Calf roping at the Keremeos Rodeo1970-1990
Keremeos, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, Canada
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Innis family at the first May 24th celebrationCirca 1910
Keremeos, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, Canada
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A bit of flat land, a ring of buggies or cars, and an arena was formed. Sometimes the stock ended up being so widely scattered afterwards that the stock-owners didn't even try to collect them until the fall round-up. Back then, there were no chutes; the bucking horse was snubbed to a saddle horse, blindfolded and saddled. It wasn't an eight second ride, as it is now - you rode until the horse stopped bucking or piled off and hoped for the best, unless you were lucky enough to have a pick-up man.6
Bullriding at the Keremeos RodeoMay 1941
Keremeos, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, Canada
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Baseball game being played next to the Victory HallCirca 1921
Keremeos, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, Canada
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Even before there was an official organized rodeo, there were celebrations that involved horse sports. From the Keremeos Chronicle, May 28, 1909, titled "Victoria Day.""In the forenoon of Monday, just before the baseball match, a broncho-busting contest was held just west of the Big Store, in which Hans Richter, Horace Brewer, and A.C. Armstrong took part. As an exhibition it was rather a disappointment to the spectators, for while the contestants showed themselves to be good horsemen, their noble steeds were too sophisticated to stand on their ears and tie themselves in knots after the approved manner of the untamed cayuse of the ranges. The prize was divided between Richter and Brewer.
"In the free-for-all H. Richter's Ginty took first place, C. Shuttleworth's Daniel 2nd, and Wm. McLean's Johnny 3rd. In the pony race Richter's Black Beauty was 1st, Daly's Nettie 2nd, Shuttleworth's Pinto 3rd…
During the afternoon a number of well contested and exciting saddle races were pulled off, the first being a free-for-all with the first day's winner barred."
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Horse race at the rodeo grounds1926
Keremeos, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Credits:Keremeos Museum
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A carriage entry for the rodeo paradeMay 1956
Keremeos, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, Canada
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The 24th of May, Victoria Day, was the day of choice here when the first rodeos were held, and has remained so until now, though the events now cover the whole weekend.Hal Tweddle, Harry Tweddle's son, told of the day in an interview:
"They had their races, and their contests and picnic and everything and you can see in the distance, the hotel standing up there. Just below the graveyard, on that flat which is now an alfalfa field, and belongs to Coleman. Keremeos has always celebrated the 24th of May."
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"Fly to Victory" float in Victoria Day parade24 May 1941
Keremeos, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, Canada
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Victoria Day parade float1941-May-24
Keremeos, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, Canada
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Herb & Helen Clark leading the riders in the Rodeo paradeMay 1944
Keremeos, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, Canada
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