Dick Nash: Memories of a rodeo icon

By Joan Janzen
joanjanzen@yahoo.com

Up until 2020, May and June have typically ushered in the rodeo season. Memories of rodeos past may be what caused an Eatonia resident to drop off some rodeo memorabilia commemorating a pioneer of rodeo, namely Richard Melville “Dick” Nash, who grew up near Mantario.

In 1991, Nash was honoured as one of the Pioneers of Rodeo with a certificate from the Calgary Stampede for his contribution to the growth, development and preservation of rodeo in general, and the Stampede in particular. He was also inducted into the Canadian Professional Rodeo Hall of Fame in 2001 at a ceremony on Sept. 15 in Cochrane, Alta.

Dick was born to Mr. and Mrs. Mac Nash. He was one of twelve children. Both his father and grandfather loved to ride, so it’s not surprising that in his childhood, he and his friends went as far as Fritz Peyton’s farm at Ternes Lake, north of Hoosier, in search of horses on which to practice for the summer rodeo events. As a teen, Dick worked as pasture manager for Fritz Peyton, who raised many of the country’s bucking horses. Here is where Dick developed his interest in rodeo.

At the tender age of 16 years, Dick left his home in Mantario to join the rodeo circuit, sending money home to help his family. He started his rodeo career in 1946 as a bareback rider. Dick had a rough beginning, sustaining many bruises. He rode bareback in all the major events until he broke his tailbone, forcing him to give up bareback riding. He persevered and became professional in the early 1950s.

He competed in four major events: saddle bronc, bull riding, steer wrestling and sometimes calf roping. He was consistently winning at rodeos in Fort Mac Leod, Cranbrook, Medicine Hat, Montana and other locations.

In 1956 he married Joanne Powell and moved to Turner Valley, Alberta. They had five children - four boys and a girl. Three of his children continued with rodeo and western lifestyle riding.

He was the first Saskatchewan cowboy to claim the All-Around Championship and Canadian Bull Riding Championship titles in 1956. He also finished second in Saddle Bronc. Dick was considered “the one to beat” by his competitors and was considered one of the best in the world.

He moved on to the World’s Championship Rodeo and claimed the world’s saddle bronc title in Boston in 1956. He was also the top bull rider at the Calgary Stampede Rodeo that same year. Overall, 1956 turned out to be an outstanding year for Dick Nash!

Dick sustained another injury In 1960 when he broke his back and was sidelined from competition for the rest of the year. At that time, he decided to judge rodeos to be able to stay close to the sport.

In 1961, he and his family moved back to Mantario and started to farm north of Mantario on his father’s land. Dick planned to win at Hardisty Rodeo and use those winnings to help him get started on the farm. However, the Hardisty rodeo turned out to be a tragic event.

On June 10, 1961, at Hardisty, Alberta, 31-year-old Dick was kicked and stepped on by a bronc named Wagon Wheel. He sustained broken ribs, which in turn severed an artery, which caused his death.

In July of 1961, the Twilight Rodeo in Alsask donated all prize money and proceeds from the concession booth and dance to a fund for Dick’s widow and children. Thirty cowboys competed, and patrons turned out in large numbers.

Now Dick Nash’s legacy lives on through the lives of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.