When Shane Crouch drove out to Red Deer last week to attend a Canadian Finals Rodeo function, the Sundre-area resident did not for one second expect what was about to happen next.
Being named the 2018 Committee Person of the Year by the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association and asked to offer an impromptu speech caught him completely by surprise.
“It gave me goosebumps hearing that,” said Crouch, the president of the Sundre Rodeo and Race Association.
Along with the award, he was presented with a blinged-out buckle in recognition of his dedication and contribution to helping organize the annual Sundre Pro Rodeo. He was one of seven nominees and had been kept in the dark about the whole process.
“I didn’t know anything about it.”
As far as Crouch was concerned, the excursion was simply an opportunity to go out and spend a pleasant social evening with his wife Gina and daughter Darby-Rae.
“I thought we were going just to watch,” he said.
“Then, my name was announced.”
More than anything else, he said being recognized was “unbelievably humbling.”
But he was modestly reluctant to single-handedly accept the praise.
“It’s not just one person,” he said about the massive behind-the-scenes effort that makes possible Sundre’s biggest event of the year.
“It’s the entire committee and all of the volunteers — it takes everybody,” he said.
“I don’t need any special accolades.”
Although he was proud and honoured to be recognized, he was quick to sing the praises of everyone who works together on the pro rodeo.
The event in Red Deer was hosted on Monday, Oct. 29 at the Sheraton Hotel. It also marked the beginning of the Canadian Finals Rodeo, which have for the past 44 years been held in Edmonton.
This is the first time the national professional rodeo finals were held in Red Deer and that was part of why Crouch thought he was attending.
“Gina did a great job keeping it from me,” he said with a chuckle.
Also accompanying him were his parents, Gordon and Dianne Crouch, as well as Scott Smith, a past president of the Sundre Rodeo and Race Association, and his wife Caroline.
“It was a fantastic evening,” said Crouch.
Presented in memory of Jim Brown, the award is given to the person deemed to have contributed the most dedicated efforts to his or her rodeo and/or the sport of rodeo.
“The countless hours, literal blood, sweat and tears that he has poured into this first class event for numerous years is evident with the integrity and the quality of the pro rodeo performances hosted in Sundre,” reads a social media post shared by the Sundre Pro Rodeo.
“Without a doubt he deserves this honour and recognition. We are so very lucky to have him and his wonderful family.”
Largely fuelling his passionate drive for the Sundre Pro Rodeo is the way the community comes together for that weekend and the relationships forged along the way, said Crouch, adding that planning for the event is a process that typically takes nearly the whole year.
“It’s a huge group of people that come together,” he said.
“I love being around cowboys and all the committee members and volunteers who work for us,” he said. “I love every bit of that.”
The association held its annual general meeting in October. Crouch was re-elected president for his fifth year. With the 40th annual Sundre Pro Rodeo set for next summer, efforts are already underway to get ready, he said.
Considering the major milestone anniversary, plans are to introduce some additional excitement to the rodeo. Although some changes are anticipated, organizers are keeping their cards close to their chests for now , he said.
“We have had huge support in the past and are hoping this June is going to be no different,” he said, adding he looks forward to seeing big crowds pack the grandstands.
“The fans who come are the most rodeo-minded in Central Alberta. That’s what we strive to do, is put on the best show possible that we can for them.”
