2004
Ryan Byrne - Builder
Inducted October 30, 2004
Ryan Byrne
This outstanding athlete from Prince Albert, Saskatchewan distinguished himself as a professional rodeo bullfighter from 1983 to 1998. Byrne was selected as the bullfighter for the Canadian Finals Rodeo for 14 consecutive years. In 1986 he was chosen as bullfighter for the NFR, the only Canadian to have received such an honor, to date. On two other occasions, 1987 and 1993, Byrne was selected as the alternate Bullfighter of the NFR. In addition to these finals, Byrne worked many of the best rodeos in Canada including Regina, Cloverdale, Ponoka and The Calgary Stampede. He was also the bullfighter for the prestigious Olympic Rodeo in 1988.
Ryan is credited with helping many young bullfighters gel their start by teaching bullfighting schools and enhancing the image of bullfighters through his participation in the Wrangler Pro Sunlight Tour. In later years Ryan owned fighting bulls, promoted Bullfight matches and worked as a spokesman for Wrangler Jeans.
Ryan Byrne is a proud family man, a husband and father to three sons and an active supporter of children and their special needs throughout his rodeo career. Always willing interview with the media, Ryan spent countless volunteer hours promoting rodeo to the public, co-operating with rodeo committees and conducting himself in a professional manner whenever called upon to represent his sport.
Byrne competed occasionally at the timed event end of the arena in the Steer Wrestling event, spending time with his wife and sons as they competed too.
For almost two decades Ryan Byrne lived out his life in the arena spotlight sharing the ups and downs of his career with an admiring public and many grateful bull riders. Though Ryan suffered his share of injuries he never turned his back on the cowboys that needed him, even coming out of retirement at the bull riders request. Canadian rodeo is richer for this warm and talented man whose pink stripes and painted smile touched the hearts of people all across North America.
Coyote - Animal
Inducted - October 30, 2004
Coyote
Not many bucking horses can lay claim to a 24 year career carried out across Canada and the United States with more trips in competition than any other horse.
X23 Coyote had such stamina that he was bucked 100 times as a 7 year old. The 1150 pound bay gelding was born in 1978 on the Maple Creek, Saskatchewan ranch owned by Bob and Dixie Black. The bucking horse breeders sold X23 to Bar T Rodeo Ltd. in 1981 as a three year old.
By 1985 the gelding bucked so solidly that he won the Bareback Horse of the Year honors. In 1989 cowboys also won two televised Labatts Series rodeos on him the very same weekend when the horse was hauled to bo1h Ponoka and Swift Current, Saskatchewan.
In 1995 Coyote was purchased by Mike Cervi and the US stock contractor hauled the faithful bucker to rodeos across the USA.
While owned by Don and Brenda Peterson. Coyote was selected as a bucking horse for both the CFR and NFR, taking many contestants to the pay window.
After 24 years the bay was reunited with his original owners when saddle bronc rider Dan Black acquired the gelding from Mike Cervi and brought him home to the rolling hills of Maple Creek to enjoy his retirement.
Duane Daines - Contestant
Inducted - October 30, 2004
Duane Daines
We honor Duane Daines of Innisfail, Alberta in recognition of his 17 year professional career which culminated with 3 All-Around Championships, a Canadian Saddle Bronc title and almost $700,000 in career winnings.
Throughout the years of competition Duane became well known to many people as an outstanding ambassador to rodeo. He served on the CPRA Board of Directors, worked closely with the media to promote the sport of rodeo, volunteered at fundraising events as an auctioneer and visited schools while still managing to travel hard enough to qualify for 9 NFR's and 13 Canadian Finals, Rodeo was in Duane's blood and while inspiration from his father, Jack Daines and his uncle Ivan was a motivating factor, it was Duane who set his sights on being an All-Around cowboy early in life.
While saddle bronc riding became Duane's forte, he diligently practiced at calf roping until it paid off with an Alberta High School All-Around Championship in 1976. Daines turned pro at just 19 years of age and acquired his pilot's license a year later. Flying the skies reaped rewards for Duane over the course of his career. He won many major rodeos including Houston, Texas; St. Paul, Oregon; Oakdale, California; North Platte, Nebraska and the All-Around Championship at the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo.
Duane, among many other accomplishments, was the first Canadian saddle bronc rider to win the $50,000 showdown at the Calgary Stampede in 1990. Perhaps the highest honors won by Duane during his incredible career were that of Guy Weadick recipient at the 1991 Calgary Stampede and Cowboy of the Year in 1995.
Long admired by his peers and rodeo fans alike, Duane's popularity soared after he found his own life shattered by a saddle bronc injury which left him paralyzed from the waist down. With amazing fortitude Duane quickly picked up the pieces of his life and went on to inspire thousands of friends and fans as he forged ahead as a husband, father, auctioneer, rodeo promoter and radio broadcaster, and advocate for the disabled. Duane has been a role model not only for young bronc riders and cowboys the world over but for many people who have been encouraged by his humble acceptance and winning attitude in life.
Already a member of the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame, his induction into the Canadian Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame will be the crowning achievement in a stellar career that continues to enrich the sport of rodeo.
George Myren - Contestant
Inducted - October 30, 2004
George Myren
George Myren knows how to keep good company, in the record books at least Myren's name appears 16 times in the Top 5 List between 1955 and 1965 in the Saddle Bronc, Bareback and All-Around categories in Canadian Professional Rodeo. Listed among rodeo's greats such as Reg Kesler, Winston Bruce, Ketlh Hyland and the legendary Kenny McLean, George Myren let those greats keep company with him on 3 different occasions. He was named Canadian All-Around Champion in 1960 and '63 and Canadian Bareback Champ in 1961 as well as Hi-Point Champion that same year.
Myren was born at Gull Lake, Saskatchewan and raised in Viking, Alberta. George entered his first rodeo in Holden, Alberta. He joined the CPA in 1953 placing 8 times in the Bareback riding that year, Myren also loved to ride Saddle Broncs and won his first cheque in that event at Stettler in 1954. A true All-Around competitor Myren entered every event at many rodeos. In 1957 he won a cheque in every major event at the Bruce Stampede.
George traveled throughout Canada and the U.S. competing at the big rodeos like Houston, Texas where he rode PRCA Bucking Horse of the Year, Big John, owned by Harry Knight.
In 1957 George served as Bareback Director of the CPA and in 1958 took a term as Saddle Bronc Director. Myren won 2 All-Around Championships at the famous Calgary Stampede in 1960 and '63 and beat the world's best cowboys for the Bareback title in 1961.
Traveling and competing were enjoyable for George and he was highly popular among the cowboys. He continued to rodeo for 25 years and was so versatile that he won a calf roping cheque for $216.00 at Benalto in 1978.
In 1980 George Myren became a life member of the CPRA and in 1992 was honored by the Calgary Stampede as a 'Pioneer of Rodeo'.
For many years George has continued to keep good company and stay in touch with rodeo by volunteering in the arena and traveling with his wife, Joyce Smith and her band, Rodeo Wind.
Alvin Owen - Contestant
Inducted - October 30, 2004
Alvin Owen
Born and raised in the short grass country at Patricia, Alberta, Alvin Owen missed out on the early high riding days of the old time cowboys as they brought cattle north of the 49th parallel.
Owen however did some high riding of his own, like many a rural youngster taking to the excitement of rodeo when he was just 14 years old. Alvin emerged from the school of hard knocks in the early 1950's and began winning in professional rodeo circles.
Known as a double tough cowboy, his spur licks caught the attention of the judges so often that in 1955 Alvin beat out Gene Gunderson and Reg Kesler for the Canadian Bareback Championship. That same year Owen finished fourth in the Canadian Saddle Bronc standings as well.
In 1956 Owen again won the Canadian Bareback title, earning a total of $4297.00 which was more money in a single event than any other cowboy won that year. That same year his name appeared 3rd in the Saddle Bronc standings and he also won the Bareback Championship at Calgary Stampede.
In 1957 Alvin again took a run at titles in both events but wound up 2nd in the Bareback to Ellie Lewis while his name appeared 3rd in Saddle Bronc behind Winston Bruce and Marty Wood.
Alvin traveled throughout Canada and the United States. In 1955 he won a go-round at Madison Square Gardens in New York. While there Alvin took on a modeling job for Van Heusen shirts and True Story magazine. He left the Big Apple on a Greyhound bus, which he rode all the way home to southern Alberta.
Alvin Owen cut short his rodeo career to continue running the family ranch. Although he competed for a relatively short period of time few cowboys of that era will forget the explosive little bronc rider from Patricia, Alberta.
Blaine Pederson - Contestant
Inducted - October 30, 2004
Blaine Pederson
Blaine Pederson once stated that there never was any doubt he would become a World Champion, he just didn't know when it would happen. Along the way to his 1994 World Steer Wrestling title Pederson transformed himself into the Wayne Gretzky of steer wrestlers.
Like Gretzky, Pederson's talent shone even in his maiden year in professional rodeo.
Capturing the first of 4 Canadian Steer Wrestling Championships and the Rookie of the Year honors in 1982, Blaine proved even then that pressure was the thing he thrived under. A run-off for the Championship that year was the first of many showdowns that would ultimately earn him glory in the rodeo arena.
During his career Pederson not only wrestled steers but roped calves and team roped successfully as well. Blaine qualified for 14 consecutive CFR's, made 5 NFR appearances, won 2 Canadian Hi Point Championships and then walked on stage at the Calgary Stampede as the $50,000 Champion.
Canada also recognized his commitment to his sport by honoring him with the Guy Weadick Award in 1989 and the Cowboy of the Year Award in 1998.
Blaine served on the CPRA Board of Directors in 1992 and 1993 and has taught many steer wrestlers at numerous schools for the past two decades.
Practice and dedication were the two things that made Pederson a stand out among bull doggers. His consistency paid off when he twice won the NFR Steer Wrestling Average, one of rodeo's most coveted awards. Yet nothing can compare with the culmination of a life long dream and a gold buckle that names you World Champion Steer Wrestler.
Blaine Pederson returned home to Canada the 1994 World Champion Steer Wrestler to be greeted with hundreds of well wishes from rodeo fans everywhere who had cheered on their own steer wrestling 'Gretzky' from Amisk, Alberta.
The Canadian Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame recognizes a caring husband and father, an outstanding athlete, talented cowboy and a proud Canadian in Blaine.
Will Senger -Builder
Inducted - October 30, 2004
Will Senger
Will Senger has spent his entire life surrounded by two loves, horses and the Fraser Valley of British Columbia. It could be also be said that his infatuation with the wonderful four legged critters we call horses led him to another passion, rodeo.
Senger was born during the depression and grew up around horses, earning a stable hands wages as a youngster and growing in prowess as he rode jumping and show horses acquiring many ribbons and accolades. While still a young man the thrill of rodeo called to Senger and he began competing in the bareback riding event and eventually took up steer wrestling.
As rodeo grew in popularity Will became involved in organizing many events in the Fraser Valley. He did everything from Little Britches rodeos and becoming a founding member of the B.C. Quarter Horse Association, to serving as a director of the Pacific National Exhibition.
In 1961 Will became a director with the Cloverdale Rodeo and there was no looking back. For more than four decades Will volunteered his time to bring professional rodeo to thousands of fans each year.
Commitment to running a world class event and establishing one of rodeo's richest purses have always been Senger's top priority. Not only in charge of all the rodeo contracts, personnel and stock, Will also has worked with over 2000 volunteers.
Several times in his career Will attempted to retire from his duties but admirers of his work have begged him to return to the helm. Will Senger was honored by the Fraser Valley Exhibition Association with a life membership in 1983.
In 1986 his peers in professional rodeo voted Senger the Committee Man of the Year.
The Governor Generals Medal was presented to Will in 1992 for Dedication to Rodeo in Canada.
Cowboys and cowgirls throughout Canada recognized Will's booming voice and warm handshake wherever he went. Will passed away October 27, 2017.