ProRodeo Sports News -March 5, 2021

SHORT ROUND Montana Pro Rodeo Hall & Wall of Fame debuting bronze Mortensen feted

T he Montana Pro Rodeo Hall & Wall of Mortensen. For 15 years, the original Mortensen bronze has served the MPRHWF as a fundraiser in raffles and auctions. The mold has worn out and the artist, Ron Rains, has passed. The hall commissioned renowned Western artist Bob Burkhart to create a new bronze of Mortensen that will be unveiled May 14 at the Metra in Billings in front of the original heroic-sized- bronze of Mortensen. At that time, the hall also will be opening a sealed-bid auction for the collector’s piece. The auction winner will be revealed at the MPRHWF scholarship fundraising banquet Oct. 2 at the Billings Hotel and Convention Center. Another edition of this bronze will be offered in the MPRHWF’s annual “Heads or Tails Raffle” at the banquet. Only 15 castings will be made of the bronze. Mortensen’s bronze is the first in a “Legacy Series” of bronzes that will be commissioned by the hall. Over the next few years, 11 more Montana world champions will be commemorated Fame in Billings will unveil a new Montana world champion bronze of ProRodeo Hall of Fame saddle bronc rider Dan

This statue of ProRodeo Hall of Fame saddle bronc rider Dan Mortensen stands in front of the Montana Pro Rodeo Hall & Wall of Fame. Photo courtesy Montana Pro Rodeo Hall & Wall of Fame

with a bronze. In order, they will be Deb Greenough, Bill Linderman, Benny Reynolds, Larry Peabody, Ty Erickson, Haven Meged, Loyd Ketchum, Shawn Davis, Clay Tryan and Brad Gleason. Those interested in purchasing the Mortensen bronze can contact Jay Linderman at 307.710.6193.

Calgary politician pushes bill to make rodeo Alberta’s sport

Country singer Cody Johnson releases trailer for rodeo documentary

On March 1, Calgary-North MLA Muhammad Yaseen introduced Bill 212 before an Alberta Government standing committee, in a proposal that if passed would make rodeo the province’s official sport. Per CTV News Calgary, Yaseen said the sport represented “an important thread” in Alberta’s culture. “As a proud Calgarian I was deeply saddened that the iconic Calgary Stampede had to be canceled last year,” Yaseen said, according to Global News. “This bill will be a beacon of hope for Albertans as we make our way through another challenging year and

serve as a reminder that we have much to look forward to.” The Calgary Stampede, which began in 1912, was canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It marked the first time the event has not happened since becoming an annual tradition in 1923. The Stampede brings more than 1 million visitors annually and adds $540 million into the provincial economy per year, according to CBC. In the article published March 2 by sports.yahoo.com, if Bill 212 is passed by the committee, it will move to the legislature for debate, according to the Edmonton Journal.

Cody Johnson, a 2019 nominee for CMA’s New Artist of the Yea r, who was the Round 10 musical performer for the 2020 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas,

has produced a “Dear Rodeo” documentyarfilm. Johnson, who roped and did roughstock events in his youth, recently released the official trailer for “DearRodeo.”Click here to see the trailer .

ProRodeo Sports News 3/5/2021

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