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Above: Rick Fraser races alongside Leo Tournier at the 2010 Stampede Rangeland Derby.

Its about time I posted some photos from this year’s Calgary Stampede, so here is the first.

Leo Tournier, who is the younger brother of reigning Stampede chuckwagon champion Luke Tournier, comes around the corner slightly ahead of fellow racer Rick Fraser. Leo’s tarp sponsor was the Friends of the Mavericks and his wagon is dedicated in memory of his son, Ty, who passed away in 2004 at the age of 3 1/2. Fraser’s tarp sponsors were Heninger Toyota and the Chickwagon Foundation.

The image above is one of my favourites. I grew up in the country riding horses, driving tractors, bailing hay, and even playing pond hockey with frozen horse poop, so I always get really excited when the Stampede kicks off. I love horses, so its easy for me to say that I love photographing horses too. I’m hoping that some of my best images will help me receive access to photograph the entire Rangeland Derby event next year.

Working closely with the Calgary Inter-Faith Food Bank this year, I was able to secure some pretty awesome seating for the Rangeland Derby on various race days (we all cheered loudly for Barry Hodgson who was racing for the Food Bank). I also had the opportunity to hang out behind the scenes at the race barns where I was able to meet and hang out with a lot of the athletes.

I plan to post more Stampede images in the next few days, so stay tuned.

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