Lonny Olson has been rodeoing for nearly 50 years.
The former Canadian professional trick rider still competes in calf roping, ribbon roping and breakaway roping.
Olson was born and raised in Belle Fourche, S.D.
He moved to Alberta after he met his wife of 32 years, Sharon, years ago in El Paso, Texas. She was raised in Ponoka.
Rodeo is in his blood.
"I was born and raised on the road," Olson says. "My dad bulldogged, fought bulls and had a specialty act all of his life. So the day I was born, I was on the road."
Olson says his biggest, most exciting challenge he faced in rodeo was steer wrestling which he did until two or three years ago.
"As you can see, I'm not a very big guy, but I held my own with them and it was an adrenalin (rush) for me," he says. "But I tore my knees up and my shoulders, so I quit steer wrestling and went to ropin' (calves) and I'm havin' fun."
Olson is now 60 years old.
He's hoping he can still rodeo for another couple of decades.
"There's guys here that are 80 years old. So hopefully I can go that long," he says.
Olson has two kids. His son followed him into rodeo, but not anymore.
"They're raising a family and that and it just don't fit into their lifestyle."
Olson conceded that the rodeo circuit can be a pretty nomadic life.
"It is, but it isn't," he says. "It's a lifestyle you've got to grow and love. And my boy would love to go back to bulldoggin' and ropin' calves, but he's not financially able to."
