The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
‘Spectacular Rodeo’ among Kirrie highlights
It was the “spectacular rodeo” featuring a drunken cowboy and the RSPCA.
A hit with the 8,000-strong crowd, it’s fair to say the 1947 Kirrie Show was one of the most memorable of its 140-year history.
The “spectacular rodeo” was organised by Lord George Mackie of Benshie, former Liberal MP for Caithness and Sutherland.
Dave Orr, director of Kirriemuir District Agricultural Association, recalled: “It was in 1947 the show featured a spectacular rodeo organised by George Mackie.
“We are fortunate in having a written account of the event from George, written at the House of Lords, about 16 years ago.
“George says he was interested in the show which at that time was chaired by Ed Weighton and the sports committee were Sam Smith the auctioneer and Will Lindsay from Prosen, helped by one of his men, Andrew Beattie.
“They were looking for something different and hit on the idea of ‘riding the bucking steer’.
“They had it as the last item of the programme so that people would stay on to watch it.
“It proved very popular with the crowd, but no one stayed on the beast for very long.
“George tried it himself a couple of times, but lasted very little time.
“However, the highlight came, when the stewards failed to notice one entrant was very drunk and was thrown straight over the neck of the steer and landed on his head.
“All were sure he had broken his neck and were much relieved when he raised his head as obviously the luck that takes care of drunks took care of him and he simply staggered away.
“The RSPCA were alerted, as it was thought it might be cruelty to animals, but after witnessing the spectacle they went away happy that perhaps it was more cruel to humankind.
“I think maybe the shows of today are a poorer spectacle due to the intervention of health and safety.”