Famed Stampede bucking horse dies
One of the Calgary Stampede’s celebrated bucking horses — Coconut Roll — died this month after a chronic illness at 20 years of age.
The bareback star, who provided many memorable rides before her retirement in 2010, was buried at the Calgary Stampede Ranch, where she was born and raised.
“She had an incredible athletic ability in the arena, and you could just see her competitive spirit and natural pride each time she competed,” Keith Marrington, the Stampede’s director of rodeo, said in a statement.
Coconut Roll bucked her way to the Canadian Finals Rodeo on 11 occasions and to National Finals Rodeo a total of 10 times. The mare was also an important part of the natural herd at the Stampede Ranch, Marrington said.
Coconut Roll was the natural mother of top bucking horses Grated Coconut and Kauai Coconut.
A couple of years ago, Coconut Roll developed Cushing’s Disease, a progressive disease of the pituitary and adrenal glands affecting older horses.
Stampede veterinarians were treating the mare, but her health rapidly declined in recent weeks. She was euthanized July 10, officials said.
The famous mare has been buried at the entry gates to the Stampede Ranch with her own tombstone.