Brian Claypool was born in Lucky Lake and raised in Saskatoon. His interest in rodeo blossomed at an early age with Brian entering “buckin’ pony” events at rodeos where Brian’s dad was entered in the chuckwagon races. By age 13, he was competent enough to win the Calgary Stampede Boy’s Steer Riding event over 97 other young riders. He began his bull riding career in 1968 and won his first event in 1969 at age 15.
After graduating from E.D. Feehan High School in Saskatoon where he was named Athlete of the Year in 1972, and where he was the Saskatoon and Saskatchewan High School Wrestling Champion in the 130-pound class, he turned all his efforts to becoming a fulltime rodeo cowboy.
His record in Canada is outstanding. He was the Canadian Novice Champion in Saddle Bronc in 1972 and high point winner, year-end leader in Bull Riding in 1974, 1975 and 1976. Brian was the Calgary Stampede Bull Riding Champion in 1974 and 1975, and in 1975, he set a record for most money won in Bull Riding in a single season in Canada. Claypool also qualified for four consecutive Canadian Finals Rodeos from 1974 to 1977.
Internationally, Brian qualified for the National Finals Rodeo in Bull Riding in 1974 and 1976. He was the champion in Bull Riding (1972) and Saddle Bronc (1974) at the Pendleton Roundup in Oregon. He also won the “All Around Cowboy” award at Moses Lake, Washington in 1972 and Lewiston, Idaho in 1973.
Brian died tragically in May 1979 when the small plane he was flying in to a rodeo, crashed in the Northwest United States. Brian had led the way for Saskatchewan rodeo athletes to make a real impact on the rodeo world.
Installed in the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame on June 16, 2001.
