ProRodeo Sports News - May 1, 2020

GRATED COCONUT Bareback horse

Grated Coconut has no equal as a PRCA bareback horse. He was named Bareback Horse of the Year a PRCA-record six times – in 2003-04 and 2006-09 – and was the top horse of the National Finals Rodeo in 2008. “We’re excited to say the least,” Calgary Stampede’s Keith Marrington said. “For the Calgary Stampede, this is a great honor to have one of their animals recognized on the world stage. We retired him in 2010 because we needed to use his services to keep our program alive and (for) more years to come. He’s a very unique horse and the face of the Calgary Stampede breeding program. We’re just delighted to have him recognized by such a great organization as the PRCA. That’s the ultimate recognition when you retire and you go into the Hall of Fame, and you are recognized by your peers is pretty special.” Grated Coconut, 23, lives on the Calgary Stampede ranch in Hanna, Alberta. “He was special in and out of the arena,” Marrington said. “When he was in the arena, the guys knew anytime they drew Grated Coconut they had the opportunity to make money. He was that special horse. He was very consistent. He was athletic and honest. He would give the guys an opportunity to get out on him in a respectful style. He did his job and if guys did their job, they certainly had the opportunity to make money. Outside the arena, he was just a different horse, he was very gentle. The horse was halter broke. He has a great demeanor and has passed those genetics on to his offspring.” Grated Coconut was inducted into the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association Hall of Fame (2012) and the Ellensburg Rodeo Hall of Fame (2013). BUTCH KIRBY Bull rider Gary William “Butch” Kirby started trick riding at 4 years old. He never really stopped, though his trick turned into staying on bulls for eight seconds at a time. Kirby won the 1978 PRCA world title in bull riding, earning $15,000 at the National Finals Rodeo that year, when roughstock world champions were decided by money won at the NFR. “I was a little bit surprised,” said Kirby, who turned 65 on April 24. “It’s an honor to be in this hall, especially because my heroes are in there. Kirby qualified for the NFR eight times (1973-75, 1977-78, 1980-82). In addition to his world title, he also finished third twice and fifth once. When his bull riding career ended, Kirby never left rodeo. Instead, he became a pro official for 25 years for the PRCA. When the Wrangler NFR comes around in December, it will mark Kirby’s 30th NFR as a judge. Originally born in Salem, N.J., Kirby made Stephenville, Texas, his hometown. In 1975, he and his brothers Sandy and Kaye were the first trio of brothers to qualify for the Finals in the same year, with Butch qualifying in bull riding, Kaye in bareback riding and Sandy in both of those events. All three were trick riders before going on to careers in ProRodeo.

Billie-Jean Duff photo Calgary Stampede’s Grated Coconut was the Bareback Horse of the Year a PRCA-record six times.

Lewis Portnoy photo Butch Kirby was the 1978 PRCA Bull Riding World Champion. He also finished in third twice and fifth once.

ProRodeo Sports News 5/1/2020

ProRodeo.com

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