Trailblazer
Clem Gardner
In 1886 a six month old boy arrived in Alberta by covered wagon with his family and 100 head of cattle. They’d come from Manitoba to settle on the banks of the Elbow River west of Calgary.
Young Clem grew up to become a top hand, always picking the toughest horses to ride and the biggest steers to rope.
He met and soon married Helen Taylor in 1911, and the couple built their ranch and their family consisting of 3 children.
Clem won the All ‘round cowboy award at the first Calgary Stampede in 1912.
In spite of untold bad winters during the 20’s the depression of the 30’s , the family ranch survived and grew to over 2000 head.
By the early 30’s Clem’s lifetime connection to the Calgary Stampede grew to include the champion chuck wagon outfit of 1931.
1n 1943 during the 2nd world war his cattle brand flew over Europe on the nose of a Halifax bomber at the request of his friend Flight Sergeant Hawkes of the 419 Moose Squadron.
Clem continued to rodeo until he was 50. He was a respected horse show judge and competitor and was a top notch polo player. He served as president of the Alberta Thoroughbred Association and the Alberta Hors Breeders Association.
Clem Gardner died in 1963 and was inducted into the Canadian Professional Rodeo Hall of Fame posthumously in 1985.
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