CTCPA Hall of Fame
Established in 2023, the CTCPA Hall of Fame recognizes the exceptional contributions and lasting impact of individuals who have played a pivotal role in the development and promotion of Team Cattle Penning in Canada.
Each year, the CTCPA Hall of Fame Committee selects and inducts individuals who have demonstrated outstanding dedication, commitment, and leadership in supporting and advancing the sport.
2023 Nominees
Rick Dalton
Had began penning in 1989, with his wife, Lillian, joining him the following year. This incredible duo competed for many years, forming lifelong friendships and creating unforgettable memories along the way.
Rick, alongside Pat and Donnie, played a key role in coordinating and developing the separation of CTPA from the Canadian association, helping to establish a unified national organization for the sport. A longtime competitor, sponsor, and volunteer, Rick was instrumental in organizing the National Finals for many years, helping the event grow and evolve.
Through Rick’s influence and dedication, the Nationals expanded significantly over the years—starting in a tent, later moving to the Big 4 Building, and now taking place in this incredible venue, with nearly 1,400 teams competing. His passion and commitment to Team Penning have helped shape the thriving community we have today.
Rick has dedicated countless hours to the sport, volunteering in sponsorship, event organization, and promotion, always putting the success of penning ahead of himself. His selflessness and enthusiasm have left a lasting impact on the sport and its competitors.
In his early years of competing, Rick went several years without winning a buckle. To celebrate his perseverance, a group from Deb and Bryan Thompson’s Wednesday night practices chipped in to create a special custom buckle for him—listing every class he entered, including the “Smooth Mouth Class,” more commonly known as the 150 Class.
Rick’s unwavering dedication, hard work, and love for the sport have helped shape Team Penning into what it is today. His contributions, both on and off the arena, are deeply appreciated, and his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of riders.
Pat Clarke
One of the original Canadian 6 Board Members, has been a dedicated contributor to the sport of Team Penning for many years. His influence not only helped expand national exposure, but he was also a longstanding volunteer, playing a vital role in organizing shows and supporting the sport’s growth.
Pat began penning locally in Alberta in 1989, where he built lifelong friendships and cherished countless memories. Before discovering his passion for Team Penning, he was actively involved in other equine sports, including polo. His love for horses naturally led him to penning, where he quickly became an advocate for the sport.
A fierce competitor and an equally loyal friend, Pat’s impact on the sport extends beyond competition. After about a year of penning, alongside Rick and Donnie, these three horsemen played a key role in establishing the Century and a Half Class. Their determination paid off when they qualified together as a team and won the buckle, solidifying their place in the history of the sport.
Pat’s dedication, sportsmanship, and commitment to Team Penning have made a lasting impact, and his contributions continue to be celebrated by the community he helped build.
Donnie Wilson
Alongside his wife Joanie, was a longtime sponsor of our youth classes. Donnie understood that the future of our sport lay with the younger generation, and he made it a priority to support them. Whether he was cheering on close friends in the arena or offering encouragement to young competitors, Donnie’s enthusiasm for Team Penning was infectious, and his passion will never be forgotten.
It is with deep regret that we were unable to recognize and honor him before his passing. However, we want to take this opportunity to express our heartfelt gratitude for the many years of support and service he dedicated to our beloved sport. His contributions have left an enduring legacy, and we are all better for having known him.
Wendy Wenaas
Wendy began her penning in the early 1990s. Though relatively new to the sport at the time, she volunteered to join the Canadian 6 at its inception. Since starting her penning career in 1993, Wendy has remained deeply involved in the sport. She has generously volunteered her time and served on boards at various local penning clubs.
Each year at the Nationals, Wendy is always among the first to volunteer, offering her time and energy without hesitation. As a volunteer, coach, and friend, she has made a lasting impact on many within the sport.
Many of us remember Wendy organizing practice pennings at the Bull Pen with Tom and Micaela, offering weekly cow recall sessions for the youth. It was during these sessions that she was often seen riding her gelding, Gunner. Together, they won many events, and Wendy would often joke that she could have made a run on Gunner with a rope around his neck—such was their bond and his understanding of the game.
Wendy has devoted much of her life to this sport, continually showing her love and dedication. It is our great pleasure to announce Wendy Wenaas as one of our 2023 Inductees into the Canadian Team Cattle Penning Hall of Fame.
Ellwood Sawby
Ellwood began penning with his wife, Amy, in 1987, and attended his first finals in 1988, where he won the $400 Class. Over the years, Ellwood has served as a Director and President for CTCPA, CTPA, CATPA, and ATSA. In 1994, he founded ATSA and continues to serve as its Treasurer.
In 1992, alongside Murray Papke, Ellwood helped rewrite the CTCPA rulebook. He also worked with Debbie Thompson on the first real classification system in the early ‘90s. His influence in the sport extended to convincing the Regina Agribition Board of Directors to host an annual team penning event, one of the first of its kind in Saskatchewan. Ellwood ran this show for five years, helping to grow the sport in the region.
Ellwood also became close friends with Cam Clark, and together they instigated and ran the Cam Clark 4-Show Winter Series Jackpots for many years, up until 2013, when the event became a co-sanctioned show between CATPA and Chinook. For this series, Cam Clark generously provided buckles, saddles, and hosted an annual dinner banquet. There’s no doubt that this series played a significant role in boosting CTCPA membership.
Over the years, Ellwood’s involvement in the sport has been marked by numerous highlights, including:
- 1st Place Canadian Team at the USTPA Nationals in Amarillo, Texas in 2004, alongside Cam Clark and Greg Mathessen
- Sudden Death Top 5 Finalist at the Denver PBR Finals, in front of over 8,000 fans
- The 2020 Sportsmanship Excellence Award, presented to Ellwood and Amy by the Alberta Equestrian Federation
Ellwood has been an inspiration to all of us. His character, charisma, and unwavering dedication to the sport are qualities we all cherish and admire.
Thank you, Ellwood, for your incredible journey with our amazing sport.