ProRodeo Sports News - August 23, 2019

by many old-timers.” Knight was inducted into the inaugural ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 1979. Wood won titles in Cheyenne, Wyo., Madison Square Garden in New York City, Boston Garden, Fort Worth, Texas, Houston, Salinas, Calif., and Oklahoma City among others. Saddle bronc rider Larry Jordan, who competed at the 1971 National Finals Rodeo, praisedWood. “He was absolutely outstanding,” said Jordan, who traveled withWood in 1974. “It didn’t make any difference what kind of bucking horse he drew. He could dress them up and make them very good if they weren’t strong enough, and he could ride the rankest horse there as well. He didn’t really care about publicity. He had a passion to win. He didn’t really care about anything except being a bronc rider. He was a bronc rider 24/7.” Donnie Gay, an eight-time PRCA world champion, gushed about Wood’s talent. Gay won all his world titles in bull riding – 1974-77, 1979-81 and 1984 – but was well aware of Wood. “I got to see him ride quite a bit, and it was just one of those things

for his dad. In 1951, Wood rode his first contest horse at Olds, Alberta. Occasionally riding bareback horses and bulls, Wood soon dropped those events and specialized in saddle bronc riding. His first venture into the United States to compete was in Omaha, Neb., in 1953 when the 20-year-old unknown made six near-perfect rides. Wood made several brief tours to America the next three years, but it wasn’t until 1957 when he finished runner-up for the title that his name became familiar to fans. Wood was known for his colorful style, which also included incredible balance and the ability to anticipate horses’ moves. Wood is survived by his son, Chip, and Chip’s wife, Shierine; Wood’s partner of 35 years, Kelly McCormmach, and Kelly’s family, including Kara and Luke Simpson, Cooper Simpson, Coltyn Simpson, and Chip’s daughter, Devan. Chip said there are discussions about having a tribute to his father at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in December in Las Vegas.

where Marty Wood was the guy people wanted to emulate,” Gay said. “He was as good as anybody ever, and he was in a great era of bronc riders.” The 5-foot-11, 155-poundWood, with a charging style, always came to win, and often did. He won Canadian saddle bronc riding championships in 1954-55 and 1963 and was the Calgary Stampede champion in 1954, ‘57, ‘61, ’64 and ’65. He was enshrined into the Canadian Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame in 1994. He’s also a member of the Ellensburg (Wash.) Rodeo Hall of Fame and the Rodeo Hall of Fame of the National Cowboy andWestern Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City. “He (Wood) was one of the bronc riders who could still win today,” Jordan said. “We’ve got some really good bronc riders today, and Marty was the kind of guy who could compete very well against the current bronc riders. His career accomplishments indicate that he was one of the top five saddle bronc riders of all time.” Wood trained horses and became a pioneer in organizing, marketing and teaching “bronc riding school.” Wood ran his school in partnership with late ProRodeo Hall of Fame stock contractor Harry Vold on Vold’s famed Avondale, Colo., ranch. According to a 1971 Western Horseman article, Wood’s teaching style included everything “but riding side saddle” with his students. Wood was born June 4, 1933, in Carstairs, Alberta, Canada, the son of Harry and Dorothy Wood. Marty’s kinship with horses began at an early age. When Marty was 3, his father gave him a pony, and Harry later operated a riding academy and traded horses where Marty schooled colts and green jumpers

DeVere Helfrich photo Saddle bronc rider Marty Wood holds his son, Chip, after winning the 1966 world championship. Wood was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in Colorado Springs, Colo., in 1991.

ProRodeo Sports News 8/23/2019

ProRodeo.com

29