Brian Claypool

Athlete (1995)

Rodeo

Brian Claypool was born in Lucky Lake, the second oldest of seven children raised by Ralph and Ellen Claypool, and did most of his growing up in Saskatoon.

While attending E.D. Feehan High School, Brian won Saskatoon and Saskatchewan wrestling titles in the 130-pound division in 1971 and he was a member of Team Saskatchewan at the Canadian championships.

In 1966, he and brother Howard went to the Calgary Stampede and Brian rode in the boys' steer riding competition at the age of 14. He was also riding in Saskatoon at the same time. By 1973, Brian was working the rodeo full time and in 1974, he won the bull riding title for the first time at the Calgary Stampede.

He was also starting to make a mark on the American circuit, including this stop at Cheyenne, Wyoming. He was Canadian bull riding champion in 1975 and 1976, runner-up in 1977, and set a record for most money won in a single season of bull riding in 1975. He qualified for the American rodeo finals in 1974 and 1976, tied for third and fourth in 1976, and won all-round cowboy awards in Oregon, Washington and Idaho.

Brian was competing on the American circuit when he lost his life in a plane crash on May 22, 1979.

** Deceased