Contributed
Rodeo fans many have seen Zeke Thurston's name in the news this winter as the 20 year old Saddle Bronc Champion of the $50,000 Houston Rodeo. What they probably didn't know is that some of Zeke's rodeo genes came from his Grandpa Walt Shuckburgh who was an active professional cowboy in the late 50s and early 60s before he went ranching to feed his growing family.
The Shuckburg family settled 3 miles west of Stettler in 1909. The son of Richard (Dyck) Shuckburg, Walt spent his early years riding horseback or walking to school across the very fields where Wal-Mart and UFA now stand. His grandfather William Cole was a retired North West Mounted Policeman and Walt and his cousin Bill Kirtley inherited Willie's love of horses.
Walter soon found compadre's in the form of other area cowboys and recalls that in the mid 1950s they started a rodeo club with Cassidys, Stuckeys, Weatherlys, Chicks, Turrigans and others from the area. They build a rodeo arena out east at Ralph Innocent's and hosted a sanctioned rodeo at least once. "We got Hereford cows from Henry Walter's Imperial ranch at Byemoor for the cow riding before bulls were used very much". Cutting horse legend Bill Collins was also a great calf roper and Walter spent time practicing with Bill. Walt became very handy with a rope and hired on for area vet Dr. Harrison. It was Walt's job to travel with Doc Harrison, often by plane to get to various ranches to treat cattle in the bangs program. "Back in those days we ended up roping a lot of cattle to get the job done. I worked for Dock Harrison off and on for ten years". Walt also steer wrestled and rode bareback horses having his best finish in 1958 when he wound up third in Canada in the bareback standings after placing in both round of the bareback competition at the Calgary Stampede. Walt often traveled with Stan Weatherly who was a steer wrestler at the time and always provided the bulldogging team of horses. Walt had a solid calf horse named Billie that later went on to be the Girletz kids calf roping horse when they were young.
Walt competed in 3 events across Alberta, Saskatchewan and out to Morris Manitoba Stampede as well as picking up a bull riding check at some Montana rodeos.
Family soon became a priority and before Walt and his former wife Sherry left Gadsby for the Duchess area they had three children destined to love rodeo as much as their father.
"Dad hauled our rodeo and 4-H horses by truck and stock racks wherever we went" recalls Lynda. "Sometimes he made sever trips starting at sun up and paying the toll to cross the Red Deer River by ferry but we always got there on time. Dad was in charge of the horses and Mom sewed the shirts and packed the cooler".
Walt's family will be riding in the Steel Wheel Parade with him and they include his oldest son Tom Shuckburg, who was a CCA Calf Roping Champion and CFR Qualifier in the Steer Wrestling. Tom's three children Ryan, Adam and Amy are active High School Rodeo members and Provincial Finals Qualifiers. Tom and his wife Corrine ranch at Innisfail.
Walt's daughter Lynda is married to 6x NFR Qualifier and 5x CFR Qualifier Saddle Brock Rider Skeeter Thurston of Hyannis, Nebraska. The couple ranches at Big Valley, AB with 4 children: Wyatt who is a 2x Calgary Stampede Novice Saddle Bronc Champion and FCA, WRA and MRA Bronc Riding Champion; Zeke Thurston, Canadian Boys Steer Riding Champion, Canadian Novice Bronc Riding Champion and $50,000 winner at this year's Houston Livestock Show Rodeo; Sam Thurston, Big Valley Bust Out Saddle Bronc Champion 2015 and Tess who is a barrel racer and goat typing competitor. As well the Thurston Gang was voted Contract Act of the Year in Canadian Professional Rodeo in 2005 and 2007.
His youngest daughter, Patti is married to Jim Cooper, former CPRA calf roper, pick up man and owner of the Calf Roping horse of the Year. Their children, Brooke and Beau are Provincial and National High School Rodeo Finals qualifiers, avid horsemen and ropers.
His youngest son Jeff was a friend and fan to all the rodeo cowboys and passed away in 2004.
Walter Shuckburg won his last rodeo buckle at the Ponoka Stampede Old Timer's Rodeo in 1983 when he won the Steer Wrestling.
Today he runs cattle in the Millarville area and tends his fences at his Dad's place three miles south of Stettler on Highway 56. Walt can also be found in a grandstand at rodeos cheering on one of his 9 grandchildren as they compete.