The Wild West merges with the modern rodeo at Guy Weadick Days in High River, Alberta. Although the event’s namesake was known for promoting the Calgary Stampede, Weadick called the neighboring town of High River home for many years, established the Calgary Stampede Ranch just west of the town. He was later laid to rest there in the place that always “felt like home.”

Watch Guy Weadick Days LIVE on FloRodeo. 

“It's always our goal to keep the Wild West Show element and the history of Guy Weadick alive and represented at the rodeo,” said Trish Seitz, C5 Rodeo Liaison for Guy Weadick Days. “From the traditional look of the flag girls to the skill sets of the contract acts, we try to represent it all while fusing it with modern day rodeo.”

After a hiatus, the event was reborn on the pro rodeo scene three years ago and takes place on a pinnacle weekend in the CPRA and PRCA—just before cowboy Christmas when the schedules of competitors really heat up. The rodeo attracts not only top CPRA/PRCA competitors but also sees some of the many local professional rodeo cowboys and cowgirls in the area come out to compete at their hometown rodeo.

Here’s a rundown of this authentically western event.

Guy Weadick Days

Association: CPRA and PRCA/WPRA Co-Approved

Committee Purse: $28,000

Dates: June 22 6:00pm CST, June 23 3:00pm CST, June 24 2:00pm CST

Format: One-header across all events

The local contingent has some neat ties to the rodeo’s history in many different ways. Barrel racer Kendra Edey lived on Guy Weadick’s original ranch for many years and will compete in the Saturday afternoon performance; bronc rider Sam Kelts is a second-generation cowboy from near High River; and one name you won’t see on the competitor’s list but is crucial in putting on the event is timed event boss Bob Fraser. The Frasers were instrumental in the creation of the High River Ag Society, the original pro rodeo and its rebirth three years ago. 

The draw also lists some top competitors both north and south of the border. 

Reigning Canadian champions on the draw:

Bareback – Seth Hardwick – Friday Performance

Tie-Down Roping – Logan Bird – Saturday Slack

Saddle Bronc – Layton Green – Saturday Performance

Steer Wrestling – Jason Thomas – Friday Performance

Team Roping – Levi Simpson/Jeremy Buhler – Friday Performance

Barrel Racing – Carman Pozzobon – Saturday Performance

Other competitors to watch include none other than the most successful PRCA cowboy of all time, Trevor Brazile, who will compete in the Friday performance in both tie-down roping and team roping with Patrick Smith. The bronc riding on Saturday night is heavy with young bronc riders like Jake Watson, Clay Elliot, Zeke Thurston, and Layton Green, who all have at least one NFR qualification already in their young careers. 

World No. 1 in bareback Caleb Bennett competes in the opening performance, while Canada’s No. 1 bareback rider Ky Marshall is up Saturday afternoon. Curtis Cassidy, the highest-ranked Canadian in the PRCA world standings at No. 4 in the steer wrestling and No. 5 in the all-around, will take both his runs (steer wrestling and tie-down roping) in the slack.

Pay attention to the first barrel racer out on Saturday night, because she's a Canadian legend. Deb Guelly—who holds the record for the most consecutive CFR qualifications at 20, and the most qualifications in her event overall at 22—will hit the arena and is always a force to be reckoned with on the cloverleaf pattern.

They may be saving the best for last in the bull riding, with Canadian Professional Rodeo No. 1 Jared Parsonage competing in the final performance Sunday.