Who we are

Our area boasts a rich natural history, and the Stampede—known locally as “Sports”—has been an integral part of that history since the late 19th century.

In 1874, the North West Mounted Police (NWMP) established an outpost across the creek to the east. When Sitting Bull and his followers crossed the “Medicine Line” in 1877, this small outpost gained the attention of bureaucrats across North America. But that’s a story for another time.

Today, you’re at “Wood Mountain Sports,” where you’re a part of Canada’s Oldest Continuous Rodeo. According to Webster’s dictionary, a rodeo is “a public exhibition of cowboy skills.” As early as 1890, the NWMP promoted the “Sports” to celebrate Dominion Day, inviting local ranchers and cowboys to participate. In its early years, the event featured foot races, ball games, and horse races. Rodeo was just beginning to evolve, and it naturally became the main event at the Sports.

By 1899, the Wood Mountain Turf Club had been formed to promote horse racing in the region. Horse ranching had already taken hold in Wood Mountain by the 1890s, and while bronc busting was a part of life, it wasn’t until 1905 that it became a formal event. A jackpot was introduced as an incentive for local cowboys to showcase their skills. With no chutes or corrals, hazers were used to keep the broncs from running into the bush. As interest grew in bronc riding, the Turf Club decided to offer prize money.

In a time when horses were the primary mode of transportation in western Canada, it’s no surprise that horse racing became the centerpiece of the Wood Mountain celebrations. Ranchers took great pride in their fast horses, and fierce competition ensued to determine who had the fastest. The first races were held on the open prairie, but by 1925, a tract of land and a judging stand had been established. Soon after, stables and a grandstand were built, offering a better view of the finish line. Horse racing continued to be a feature of the Sports until the 1960s.

Incorporated as a non-profit in 1925, the Wood Mountain Turf Club aimed to organize a variety of sports, including rodeo, horse racing, and ball games. The Club secured a lease on the land where the current arena stands and added new facilities, including bucking chutes, a race track, ball diamonds, a bowery, and later, a grandstand and stables.

Under the Turf Club’s leadership, the Wood Mountain Sports became one of southern Saskatchewan’s main attractions, drawing crowds of up to 15,000 people. The rise of automobiles made it easier for people to attend, and campers often stayed for a week, encircling the race track with their cars.

When Sitting Bull left Canada in 1881, several Sioux families chose to stay behind. They lived throughout the winter, but returned to Wood Mountain each summer. After being granted a reserve in 1911, they began taking part in the races and rodeos. By 1920, they organized an Indian Parade and PowWow, adding color and vibrancy to the event with their native costumes and dances.

However, the 1930s brought hard times. Club directors had to dig into their own pockets to keep things running. From 1931 to 1947, the Sports & Stampede were occasionally organized by the Turf Club, but more often by enterprising individuals.

In 1947, the Turf Club reorganized as the Recreational Club with the goal of providing recreation for the community. The main focus remained the rodeo, but the Club expanded its efforts. One of its first projects was to purchase a CPR bridge east of Fir Mountain, and with the help of volunteers led by President Tony Westergard, the timbers were used to rebuild the corrals and grandstand. The Club also built a swimming pool on its leased property.

The period from 1960 to 1990 was a time of stability for the Wood Mountain Stampede, and in 1995, the Wood Mountain Recreational Club was incorporated as a non-profit company.

Little Britches Rodeo – Champions of the Future
Recognizing the challenges young people face in entering rodeo competitions, the Little Britches Rodeo has been held alongside the Stampede since 1973. This initiative is a crucial part of the rodeo community, much like youth hockey or little league baseball in their respective sports. Little Britches allows young competitors to gain experience without the steep entry fees or having to compete against seasoned professionals in the CCA or CPRA. In 1983, the South Saskatchewan Little Britches Rodeo Association was established to further support these young champions.