By Scott Roblin

Canadian Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame announces induction of ‘Rodeo News’ in Medicine Hat

Jul 29, 2018 | 8:16 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – One of the greatest rodeo animals of all-time received a significant honour on Saturday on the final day of the 2018 Medicine Hat and Exhibition Stampede Rodeo.

Between events, it was announced that famed saddle bronc horse ‘Rodeo News’ will be getting the call to join the 2018 class of the Canadian Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame.

Starring in the late 1960s and early 1970s, Rodeo News was owned by the late Reg Kesler and Kesler Rodeo Stock.

Jerry Sinclair, a board member with the Canadian Pro Hall of Fame, said after much deliberation it was decided that Rodeo News was more than fit to be inducted.

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“We finally decided that this was Rodeo News’ year and the Kesler family requested that the induction be done here in Medicine Hat,” said Sinclair.

According to the Canadian Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame, Rodeo News bucked off 18 riders near the tail end of his career in 1974 and put 14 riders into the money.

He also won the title of top saddle bronc in the world during 1970, while bucking off great Mel Hyland two years before at the National Finals Rodeo.

Sinclair said Rodeo News garnered a reputation as a tough horse to ride, but one you could win a lot of money on.

“He was a great saddle bronc,” said Sinclair. “Every top bronc rider in the world had a shot at him and he bucked most of them off. He was not fun to get on and he sure wasn’t fun to try and ride, but he was a great horse.”

Liz Kesler, widow to Reg, travelled from Texas along with her two daughters to Medicine Hat on Saturday to be formally honoured in the infield.

Sinclair said Rodeo News was among a long line of great competitors from the Kesler family and was as dominant as a horse would come.

“He was the second or third best bucking horse at the National Finals for eight years,” said Sinclair. “So, there’s an awesome record, besides being a world champion in 1970. So, he was one of the [most] outstanding horses in rodeo of all-time.”

Rodeo News will be officially inducted into the Canadian Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame at a ceremony in Calgary on October 20.