Bareback horse of the year retires

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO – Calgary Stampede’s Grated Coconut, the six-time and reigning PRCA Bareback Riding Horse of the Year, has been retired from competition effective immediately, it was announced this week in Calgary, Alberta.

“Grated Coconut hasn’t competed since the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo last December in Las Vegas,” said Dr. David Chalack, president and chairman of the board for the Calgary Stampede. “In watching him closely this spring out at Stampede Ranch, it is clear he is now primarily interested in spending time with the mares.

“We’re happy to let him spend the rest of his days having fun at the Ranch – he’s certainly earned it. We are very proud that Grated Coconut retires as the current Canadian and world champion. He will continue to be the foundation for our Born to Buck breeding program. And during the Stampede, we will have a special tribute to Grated Coconut on the final Sunday (July 18).”

Grated Coconut was honored as the PRCA’s top bareback riding horse in 2003-04 and in each of the past four seasons (2006-09), equaling the record six such awards won by ProRodeo Hall of Fame saddle bronc horse Descent from the Beutler Brothers & Cervi string (1966-69, 1971-72). Grated Coconut is also a six-time Canadian bareback horse of the year.

In eight appearances at the Wrangler NFR (2002-09), Grated Coconut was ridden successfully 13 of 15 times, providing paychecks for cowboys on seven of those rides. Royce Ford had the highest score on the horse at the NFR, finishing third with 88.5 points in the fifth round of the 2007 rodeo.

Steven Dent set an arena record at the Caldwell (Idaho) Nite Rodeo with a 91-point ride on Grated Coconut in 2008, and Dusty LaValley was 91 points on him that year at the National Western Stock Show & Rodeo in Denver.

“He is probably the most exciting and scariest horse I’ve ever been on,” said Cimarron Gerke, who successfully rode Grated Coconut five times in six tries, including twice for paychecks at the NFR. “The first time I had him was at the Calgary Stampede in 2006, competing for the $100,000 on the final day. I was 87 on him for third place, and he was so good that day he scared the bull riders who were watching.

“The thing about Grated Coconut was that even if you rode him, it was a battle all the way. He loved his job, always tried hard, and he’s one of the smartest animals I’ve been on. He always seemed to figure people out. He had a game plan before you did. He won six horse of the year awards and should have won it in 2005 too. He’s just a great horse.”

The 13-year-old stallion is the son of dam Coconut Roll and sire Wyatt Earp.