Tall in the saddle: Alberta saddle bronc phenom chases Stampede three-peat
CALGARY — To say rodeo is in Zeke Thurston’s blood doesn’t quite go far enough. It seems to be drilled into his DNA.
Skeeter Thurston was riding saddle broncs and wife Lynda was filing radio reports at the 1994 Calgary Stampede when they headed to the hospital for Zeke’s birth on the rodeo’s final weekend.
Almost 23 years later, Zeke is a young man in a hurry to win a lot of belt buckles and money.
The reigning world saddle bronc champion from Big Valley, Alta., is chasing a third straight win at the Calgary Stampede, and yet another $100,000 winner’s check.