The Teepee Creek Stampede started out as early as 1917 as community picnics held on Bob Munroe’s land. There would be ball games, tug of war, and horse races and everyone brought food for a big community picnic, complete with homemade ice cream. In the evening there was always a dance. The Teepee Creek Ladies Club was a major organizer in those days. Riding the bucking broncs was introduced as early as 1917 and continued through the years to be a great draw for the crowds. By 1932, the U.F.A. directors William Adair, Milne Fraser, Ken Grant, Doris White, Ruby Thomas, George McCauley, and Jack MacKenzie managed the organization of the Stampede. More events were added over the years and by 1978 the Stampede included pari-mutual racing as well as chuckwagons, lady undecorators, lady barrel racers, bull riders, steer wrestlers, calf ropers, bare back riders, team ropers, bronc riders, big chariots, pony chariots, pony chuckwagons and wild horse races. By then the Stampede Association owned 60-70 horses and had agreements with contractors to supply cows and calves, bulls and steers. It owned 92 acres of land, barns, grandstands, booths , corrals and a good well. Money made by the Stampede was always put back into improvements to the grounds. The 1978 executive members were Orval Sorken, Norman Love, Stanley Sparks, Bud Gaboury, Robin McQuaig, Norman Hollingworth, Pearl Mc Laughlin, and Donald McQuaig with thirteen committees full of on the ground workers. In 2009, the Teepee Stampede is still a major summer event in the Peace country.
Custodial History
This fonds consists of records from two separate accessions, one in 2009 (2009.032) and the other in 2014 (2014.025). The first accession was donated to the South Peace Regional Archives by Corry Stark for the Teepee Creek Stampede Association. The second accession was donated by Don Moon, the photographer, but was physically brought in to the Archives by Corry Stark.
Scope and Content
The fonds consists of 23 photographs and 324 photograph negatives showing different events at the Teepee Creek Stampede.
Notes
This fonds has been identified as having Indigenous related content. Researchers may encounter language that is outdated and offensive. To learn more about Indigenous records at the South Peace Regional Archives please see our guide.
This file consists of 23 photographs from the Teepee Creek Stampede.
Teepee Creek Stampede Race, 1971
2 photograph; b & w; 8 x 10, 4 x 6
Teepee Creek Stampede. ” Dust flies as the field crowds the finish line in the stock horse race.”
Location: 2009.032.02
“Ya Win Some”, 1972
2 photograph; b & w; 8 x 10, 4 x 6
Teepee Creek Stampede. Safety man, Dennis Rycroft, neatly picks a man off a kicking keg of dynamite.
Location: 2009.032.03
Stampede Manager Norman Hollingworth, 1967
2 photograph; b & w; 8 x 10, 4 x 6
Teepee Creek Stampede Manager, Norman Hollingworth.
Location: 2009.032.04
“With a Little Help From His Friends”, 1977
2 photograph; b & w; 8 x 10, 4 x 6
At the Teepee Creek Stampede, rider Andy Copeland attempts to dismount after his 8 second ride. Luckily Keith Foster just happened to be riding by.
Location: 2009.032.05
“Ya Lose Some”, 1972
2 photograph; b & w; 8 x 10, 4 x 6
At the Teepee Creek Stampede: “This unfortunate soul with his face in the mud would probably give thousands of unprintable reasons why his ornery animal and he parted company, while the other jasper was only too happy to feel a strong arm jerk him off the hurricane deck of his still bucking bronc..”
Location: 2009.032.06
Jockeys Share a Victory Drink, 1973
2 photograph; b & w; 8 x 10, 4 x 6
At the Teepee Creek Stampede: “Top jockey Bert Webber shares a victory drink with fellow jockey Cecil Wallenback during the victory celebration at the stampede. Looking on is Pete Gaboury of Double N Transport, donors of the award.” Webber was named best jockey of the three day meet.
Location: 2009.032.07
Out of the Chutes, 1970
2 photograph; b & w; 8 x 10, 4 x 6
At the Teepee Creek Stampede: Riders and Aids whip horses to get them off to a better start in the Teepee Creek Derby.
Location: 2009.032.08
Gary Cooper, Calf Roper, 1971
2 photograph; b & w; 8 x 10, 4 x 6
At the Teepee Creek Stampede: “Gary Cooper of Dawson Creek and his well trained mount show how it’s done in the calf roping.”
Location: 2009.032.09
Mile Race, 1968
2 photograph; b & w; 8 x 10, 4 x 6
At the Teepee Creek Stampede:The Mile Race: “They’re off and running.”. L-R: Ricky Purves on Tom Rycroft’s horse, ?, Dick Hoag’s horse
Location: 2009.032.10
Cow Milking, 1973
2 photograph; b & w; 8 x 10, 4 x 6
At the Teepee Creek Stampede: Competitors attempt to milk wild cows – unfortunately the task was made even harder by the abundance of dry cows.
Location: 2009.032.11
Riding the Terror, 1971
2 photograph; b & w; 8 x 10, 4 x 6
At the Teepee Creek Stampede: Robert Chalifoux of Valleyview gets a crack at riding the “Terror”. Norman Love watches from the gate.
Location: 2009.032.12
“Gotcha”, 1970
2 photograph; b & w; 8 x 10, 4 x 6
At the Teepee Creek Stampede: “It doesn’t taste like roast beef but it works, as you can tell by the placid look on the horse’s face. Jerry Chalifoux is the fellow with the bulldog clamp.”
Location: 2009.032.13
Ten Seconds – Fifty Dollars, 1967
2 photograph; b & w; 8 x 10, 4 x 6
At the Teepee Creek Stampede: Bobby Morrison of Hudson Hope earned fifty dollars for riding the “Terror” for ten seconds. He didn’t come out unscathed as the “Terror” managed to dump the ten year veteran cowboy just after the time had elapsed.
Location: 2009.032.14
Shoeing Horses, 1977
2 photograph; b & w; 8 x 10, 4 x 6
At the Teepee Creek Stampede: “Shoeing horses can be a lucrative business when one considers the scores needed to stage a rodeo. Tom Rycroft is the shoesmith.”
Location: 2009.032.15
Bucking Broncos, 1971
4 photograph; b & w; 8 x 10, 4 x 6
At the Teepee Creek Stampede: Crowds in the stands watch as the riders try to stay on the bucking horses.
Location: 2009.032.16-.17
Keeping a Low Profile, 1972
2 photograph; b & w; 8 x 10, 4 x 6
At the Teepee Creek Stampede: Clinton Rycroft keeps a low profile while his father, Tom, gives advice in the background. Beside Tom in front of the chutes: L-R: Norman Hoag, Bob Love, Spike Leriger, Baldy Rycroft, Pat Conley.
Location: 2009.032.18
Bucking Bronco Rider, 1971
2 photograph; b & w; 8 x 10, 4 x 6
At the Teepee Creek Stampede: A bronco rider loses his hat and hangs on as the horse bucks.
Location: 2009.032.19
Top Jockey, 1970 c.
2 photograph; b & w; 8 x 10, 4 x 6
At the Teepee Creek Stampede: “Top jockey, Tim Crites (6) of Hudson Hope , B.C., turned in a sparkling record. Tim placed in 20 of 24 races.”
Location: 2009.032.20
Pick-Up Men Don’t Always Succeed, 1971
2 photograph; b & w; 8 x 10, 4 x 6
At the Teepee Creek Stampede: “Sometimes the pick-up men put too much muscle into the job. Spike Leriger did a great job at Teepee Creek – even if some riders did go right over.
Location: 2009.032.21
Hanging On for Dear Life, 1971c.
2 photograph; b & w; 8 x 10, 4 x 6
At the Teepee Creek Stampede: Lloyd Chalifoux hangs on until the horn blows and gets his points. “Got to hang on for dear life – and he did – making the horn for points.”
Location: 2009.032.22
Pony Chariots, 1971c.
2 photograph; b & w; 8 x 10, 4 x 6
At the Teepee Creek Stampede: Pony Chariot teams pound out of the back stretch during an exciting race. Barney McNally is the driver on the right.
Location: 2009.032.23
Alf and His Ramblers, n.d.
2 photograph; colour; 8 x 10, 4 x 6
Western band of 11 members called “Alf and His Ramblers”. Top Row L-R: Albert Cameron and Richard Weibe, guitars. Alf Walsh, leader and fiddler. Claude Stubley, bass and MC. Vern Braaten, accordion player. Bottom Row L-R: Singing Sweethearts, Diane Rueb and Ardith Bielman. Chuck Gullion, steel. “Sparkles” Stubley and Richie Walsh, vocal. Front: Eddie Stevens, vocal and MC. Claude Stubley was one of the first pick-up men at the first stampedes.
Location: 2009.032.24
This file contains 63 photograph negatives showing the Teepee Creek Stampede in 1974.
Calf Roping, 1974
1 negative; b & w; 35 mm
Image shows a man on a horse, a roped calf, and a dog. There are members of the audience in the stands in the background.
Location: 0389.028
Bronc Riding, 1974
1 negative; b & w; 35 mm
Image shows a person on a horse exiting the chutes.
Location: 0389.046
Men in Chutes, 1974
1 negative; b & w; 35 mm
Image shows people wearing cowboy hats sitting in chutes.
Location: 0389.057
Bucking Horse, 1974
1 negative; b & w; 35 mm
Image shows a man being thrown from bucking horse.
Location: 0389.085
This file contains 114 photograph negatives showing the Teepee Creek Stampede in 1976.
Bronc Riding, 1976
1 negative; b & w; 35 mm
Image shows a person riding a bucking horse.
Location: 0389.091
Horse Race, 1976
1 negative; b & w; 35 mm
Image shows six horses and their jockeys exiting the starting gates.
Location: 0389.139
Back-to-Back Clowns, 1976
1 negative; b & w; 35 mm
Image shows two people, dressed like clowns, sitting back-to-back on a horse.
Location: 0389.161
Bronc Riding, 1976
1 negative; b & w; 35 mm
Image shows a rider on bucking bronco. It also shows a person crouching with a camera in front of their face.
Location: 0389.162
Chariot Race, 1976
1 negative; b & w; 35 mm
Image shows a man racing a chariot which is being pulled by two horses.
Location: 0389.164
Barrel Racing, 1976
1 negative; b & w; 35 mm
Image shows a person on a horse racing around a barrel.
Location: 0389.179
This file contains 25 photograph negatives showing the Teepee Creek Stampede in 1977.
Steer Riding, 1977
1 negative; b & w; 35 mm
Image shows a person riding a steer. People in the stands are visible in the background of the photo.
Location: 0389.222
This file contains 122 photograph negatives showing the Teepee Creek Stampede in 1978.
Chariot Race, 1978
1 negative; b & w; 35 mm
Image shows two chariot racing teams. The audience is visible in the background.
Location: 0389.243
Bronc Riding, 1978
1 negative; b & w; 35 mm
Image shows a rider on a bronc.
Location: 0389.265
Chariot Race, 1978
1 negative; b & w; 35 mm
Image shows a two teams of horses during a chariot race.
Location: 0389.290
Teepee Creek Stampede Chutes, 1978
1 negative; b & w; 35 mm
Image shows a horse and several people standing in front of chutes. There are also people in the chutes and stands.
Location: 0389.327
Two People on Horses, 1978
1 photograph; colour; 35 mm
Image shows two people, each riding their own horse. One person is leaning over towards the other.
Location: 0389.328
Bull Riding, 1978
1 negative; b & w; 35 mm
Image shows a bull rider. A carnival swing ride is visible in the background.
Location: 0389.346
