Calgary Stampede Hall of Fame welcomes Herald journalist, champion driver, rodeo star, legendary horse
Four inductees—including journalist John Down and champion chuckwagon racer—join the prestigious institution honouring Calgary's rodeo legacy.
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The Calgary Stampede has inducted four new members into its Hall of Fame, honouring contributions to rodeo journalism, championship driving, and the sport itself.
John Down, who began writing about chuckwagon racing for the Calgary Herald in the late 1970s, anchors the 2026 class. Down's career—initially starting from a place of unfamiliarity with the sport—evolved into decades of chronicling the Stampede's most iconic events.
The inductees also include a champion driver, a rodeo star, and a legendary horse whose names and legacies have shaped the Stampede's identity over generations. The Hall of Fame recognizes those who have left indelible marks on Calgary's Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.
The inductions underscore the Stampede's commitment to preserving and celebrating the people, animals, and storytellers who have defined the institution since its founding.
