April 8
GET ALONG LITTLE DOGIE DAY
Godshall Ranch, Apple Valley, California was the site of the first Intercollegiate Rodeo on this day in 1939.
The students who competed came from just about every major college and university campus in the western United States. The young cowboys and cowgirls competed under the guidance of world champion professional cowboys. Assisting were Harry Carey, Dick Foran, Curley Fletcher, Tex Ritter and Errol Flynn. These stars were used to performing their own rodeo tricks. There were no stunt men or stunt women in those days. The Hollywood stars roped their own little dogies.
The competition was such a success and drew so much attention that it sparked the creation of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association now headquartered in Walla Walla, Washington.
Coincidentally, the ‘Father of Canadian Rodeo’ was born in 1872 on this day in Payson, Utah. O. Raymond Knight produced Canada’s first rodeo, Raymond Stampede in 1902. A year later, he built the first grandstand for rodeo fans and the first chute to channel riders and their steeds as they enter the arena.
Those Were the Days, the Today in History service from 440 International
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