The Virden Indoor Rodeo and Wild West Daze has established a horseman’s Hall of Fame to recognize those who have made an outstanding contribution to the horse industry as breeders, promoters, organizers, by achievements in competition, or in countless other ways.
This year’s inductees are Rick and Paddy White of Oak Lake.
This couple, both individually and collectively have made significant contributions in all of these criteria. When rodeo first came to Manitoba, Rick was one of the founding members of what is now the Manitoba Rodeo Cowboys Association. Both he and Paddy were founding members of the Manitoba Barrel Racing Association. When the Manitoba High School Rodeo association was formed, Rick was it’s first National Director.
As competitors, they have both achieved notoriety..Paddy’s first MRCA Championship came in 1979 in Goat Tying. In 1981 and ’83 she was MRCA Barrel Racing Champion as well as winning numerous runner up and all round awards in that era. She qualified three times for the CCA Finals on three different horses. She also qualified for the Calgary Stampede. She twice set arena barrel racing records at the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair.
Rick has won numerous Saddle Bronc, Bareback, Steer Wrestling and All Round Championships in the MRCA and Canadian Cowboy Association, including All Round and Saddle Bronc Awards here in Virden. He also competed in Saddle Bronc and Steer Wrestling on the Pro circuit.
Both have spent countless hours hosting barrel racing instructional clinics and coaching other riders, especially youth competitors. Rick has conducted horsemanship and barrel racing clinics as far away as Alaska, and was instrumental in starting the Alaska High School Rodeo Association.
For many years breeding, selecting and training Barrel Racing prospects has been their passion. As well as the horses they have competed on successfully, they have played a role in developing horses that have gone in win championships for other competitors across Canada and into the U.S, including three that have qualified for the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association Finals.
Congratulations Rick and Paddy on being inducted into the Virden Indoor Rodeo and Wild West Daze Hall of Fame.