UK family marks first Calgary Stampede after son given all-clear to travel

An 11-year-old boy from Wokingham, England, realized a lifelong dream when his family brought him to the Calgary Stampede after his cardiologist cleared him for the trip.

Oscar O'Grady has hypoplastic left heart syndrome with atrial ventricular defect, a rare condition that had restricted his travel. His family had often talked about visiting the Stampede but could not make the journey until recently. "His cardiologist said he'd be OK to fly here, and while Oscar's doing really well, it was probably a good time to come over here," his mother Daniela said.

The UK charity Promised Dreams made the trip possible. The family arrived July 9 and spent three days at the Stampede, with Oscar and his younger brother Samuel saying their favourite parts were the horse racing and bull riding at the rodeo. Both brothers were deeply impressed by the kindness they received throughout their stay.

While touring the rodeo, the family met Tyrell Mcgilvery, a Crazy Cree Relay Team rider. Mcgilvery had recently lost merchandise in a house fire but gave the boys two of his own racing jerseys, goggles, horse whips, and shoe covers. He also showed them his horses and let them ride. Oscar said he planned to wear the jacket Mcgilvery gave him and put hand prints on his horse for an evening race as a show of support.

Oscar's love of horseback riding began when he was three years old, during a period when he couldn't do much because he was waiting for operations. "It was a great activity that he loved doing and connecting with nature," his father Sean said. After the Stampede, the family will travel to Banff to visit friends and family before returning home. Oscar expressed gratitude to everyone who supported the family: "Thank you for being so kind to us and letting us have this amazing experience."