NEW POSTER STAYING AT STAMPEDE

The Calgary Stampede unveiled its 2016 promotional poster on Monday during a ceremony at the Central Library. This year’s edition of the poster — which has been created every year since 1912 — begins a new tradition for the Stampede. The Herald’s Doug Hin

THE POSTER

Featuring six horses running on Alberta’s prairie, the artwork — titled Born to Buck — represents the competition stock bred and raised at the Stampede Ranch near Hanna as part of the Born to Buck program. “When you visit the Stampede Ranch at Hanna, you witness many scenes of horses ... running freely in the fields together,” said Stampede president Bill Gray, “and that was the inspiration for the poster.”

THE PROGRAM

The Born to Buck program breeds stock specifically for competition at the Stampede and rodeos across North America selected for their “athleticism, competitive spirit and ability to compete,” according to Gray. Of the approximately 600 head on the ranch, about 200 compete at rodeos at any given time. Each animal competes between 11 and 15 times a year, which works out to about two minutes of work.

NEW TRADITION

In past years, the poster was unveiled during the Stampede and auctioned off to the highest bidder. This year marks the first time the artwork will be retained by the Stampede, and will be displayed at various locations across the city before becoming part of what will be a permanent collection of future artworks at Stampede Park, “as a piece of history for future generations to cherish,” said Gray.

THE ARTIST

Award- winning Calgary artist Michelle Grant had previously worked with the Canadian Mint on several gold, silver and circulation coins, and participated in creating the Mural Mosaic for the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games. “My passion is horses and everything they represent,” said Grant. “My work is focused on capturing their strength, agility and personality.”

PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT

The release of the poster coincides with the opening of ticket sales for the 2016 Stampede rodeo and evening show. Until Oct. 11, members of the public can take a selfie with the poster at the Central Library and, using the hashtag # Stampede 2016, post their photo to Twitter or Instagram for the chance to win tickets. More details are available at calgarystampede.com/win2016poster