BAREBACK
HORSE OF THE YEAR
GRATED COCONUT
Owned by Calgary Stampede
By Dianne Finstad
Grated Coconut is making the spectacular seem ordinary.
Just as he makes an amazing eight seconds of power-packed action in the arena look easy.
Just as he makes sweeping award categories a breeze.
Just as he makes creating rodeo history an everyday occurrence.
It’s how the proud stud rolls. And, as such, 2009 was a normal year for G-65.
The Calgary Stampede kingpin was named the best bareback horse at the Ponoka Stampede, best of the Calgary Stampede, the U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company/PRCA Bareback Riding Horse of the Year, and Bareback Horse of the Year in Canada.
The only reason that’s not astounding is because it’s the kind of domination he’s done before.
This marks the sixth time the athlete has been selected by Canada’s and the world’s best bareback riders for the annual recognition, and that, in itself, is a new milestone. On the world scene, the six titles ties the legendary bucking horse Descent of Beutler Brothers and Cervi; in Canada, only Franklin’s great Kingsway Skoal won more awards, and that was through a combination of bareback and saddle bronc honours.
Naturally, the Calgary Stampede stock team never gets tired of celebrating the horse’s ‘normal’ feats.
“It’s Grated Coconut,” acknowledged Keith Marrington, head of the Rodeo and Ranch program at the Calgary Stampede. “He’s expected to do that, and he does it.”
The 12-year-old horse continues to be one of those the cowboys have great admiration for, and yet have mixed feelings about when they see their name beside his on a rodeo program.
Two-time Canadian champion Dusty LaValley seems to have a Grated Coconut magnet for his career. He’s drawn the stallion seven times. Recently, in 2008, his season got off to a great start with a spectacular 91-point ride on him at Denver. Then he was 88 points on him to win the Wrangler Canadian Professional Rodeo Tour Championship in Calgary. In 2009, the two met up again to win the Daines Ranch Rodeo at Innisfail, Alta. with a 90, and they collaborated, or perhaps collided, at this year’s Tour Finals in Calgary as well.
“I know I can have a good chance to win on him,” confirmed LaValley, “but geez, it’s a lot of hard work, and it’s dangerous!”
It’s not that the horse is mean. In fact, he’s halter broke and eager for a friendly pet from any visitors near his pen. He’s well behaved in the chute. He’s just so fast and powerful that he’s hard to contain.
“The worst thing about that horse is he hits you in the back so hard, and he really slams you, and wants to throw you over the front end pretty bad,” LaValley explained. “He’s hit me so hard before that he knocked the wind out of me, so it gives you a pretty good idea.”
The cowboy from Crooked Creek, Alta. has even taken to adding some extra padding in his hat whenever he gets on the horse now.
Marrington points out that Grated Coconut lives a pretty good life.
“Again, we managed the horse to work on a very minimal schedule. He bucked 12 times this year, including Calgary and the two trips he had at last year’s NFR.
“We did not take him south for the winter, because we used him in our breeding program. All spring he was at the stud farm, and doing what he does second best,” Marrington chuckled.
“We had him on the Equisizer every day, so he was in good physical condition. He was amazing every time out. He had some tough competitors getting on him. When the gate cracked, he just did his thing,” Marrington smiled.
But the Stampede was equally delighted to see the entire bareback horse ballot results. Second on the list was Grated Coconut’s son M-32 Majestic Rocket, and third was the mare, C-10 Coconut Roll.
“It’s a neat story: mama, son and grandson,” exclaimed Marrington. “It’s a family affair, I guess. I’m pleased the bareback riders recognized Coconut Roll, because she is an outstanding mare. Over $800,000 has been won on that horse. I don’t think there’s ever been related horses sweep the awards 1-2-3 like that.
“Grated Coconut has certainly elevated the level of our (breeding) program, and we’ve got a lot of offspring coming up. It certainly makes our job a little easier when you go down the road.”
Stampede officials have long said their superstar has nothing left to prove, and yet, he keeps building on his own Hall of Fame legacy. So how long can the so-called “Grate One” keep going?
“He’s proving to himself he’s still having fun,” said Marrington. “I guess that’s the major thing we look at. He enjoys what he’s doing. As long as he’s still doing that, and remains healthy, you’ll see him down the road.” |
