Ray Knight (rodeo organizer)
Ray Knight | |
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Born | Oscar Raymond Knight 8 April 1872 |
Died | 7 February 1947 Raymond, Alberta, Canada | (aged 74)
Occupation | Rancher |
Spouse(s) | Hannah Isabelle Smith
(m. 1894; died 1906)Charlotte Maud Heninger
(m. 1907; |
Children | Uarda, Raymond, and Kenneth (first marriage); Owen, Wayne, Jesse, Charlotte, and Mary (second marriage) |
Oscar Raymond Knight (8 April 1872 – 7 February 1947) was a prominent Latter-day Saint settler of what is today Southern Alberta. Knight instituted the Raymond Stampede, the oldest and longest-running rodeo in Canada and is considered the first rodeo stock contractor. Ray Knight and Ad Day formed the Knight and Day Stampede Company.[1]
The son of mining magnate Jesse Knight and his wife Amanda, Knight was born in Payson, Utah Territory. After filling a full-time proselytizing mission in England for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Knight took an active part with his father in his various business undertakings. Notably, Knight was closely involved in the establishment and settlement of Raymond, Alberta, a town named in his honour by his father.[2]
While living in Raymond, Knight managed his father's ranch, which consisted of approximately 400,000 acres (1,600 km2) of land stocked with over 15,000 head of cattle and 40,000 head of sheep. Knight held many honours and trophies for his skill in calf[3] and steer roping. In 1902, Knight organized the first Raymond Stampede, the first organized rodeo to be held in Canada. At the inaugural event, Knight himself took first prize in the steer roping competition.
Knight was married to Isabelle Smith in 1894 and had three children from this marriage: Uarda, Raymond, and Kenneth. Knight had five other children from his second marriage to Charlotte Maud Heninger: Owen, Wayne, Jesse, Charlotte, and Mary.
Honors[]
- 1982 Canadian Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame[4]
- Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame
- Raymond Sports Hall of Fame
- Alberta Sports Hall of Fame[5]
Knight has been called the "Father of Canadian Stampedes", the "Father of Canadian Professional Rodeo" and the "Father of Canadian Calf Roping."
See also[]
- Inez Knight Allen, sister
References[]
- ^ "Early Cowmen of Southeast Range". Lethbridge Herald, Golden Jubilee Edition. 11 July 1935. p. 63.
- ^ "Davew Akers and Tom Purcell". Lethbridge Herald, Golden Jubilee Edition. 11 July 1935. p. 64.
- ^ "Dan Riley was Good Cowman". Lethbridge Herald, Golden Jubilee Edition. 11 July 1935. p. 55.
- ^ "1982". Canadian Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame. Retrieved April 30, 2019.
- ^ "Ray Knight". Alberta Sports Hall of Fame. Retrieved April 30, 2019.
- Turner, Lawrence, ed. (1993). Raymond Remembered: Settlers, Sugars and Stampedes: A History of the Town and People of Raymond. Town of Raymond. ISBN 0-9697655-0-9.
- History of Raymond, Alberta from Town of Raymond website
- Cowboys
- Settlers of Canada
- Canadian Latter Day Saints
- Latter Day Saints from Utah
- American Mormon missionaries in England
- 1872 births
- 1947 deaths
- People from Payson, Utah
- People from Raymond, Alberta
- 19th-century Mormon missionaries
- Knight family (Latter Day Saints)
- Brigham Young Academy alumni
- American emigrants to Canada
- Canadian ranchers
- Roping (rodeo)
- Non-traditional rodeo performers
- Stock contractors
- Canadian Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame inductees
- Alberta Sports Hall of Fame inductees