Heart of a Champion - Williams Lake, British Columbia
Posted by: 
T0SHEA
N 52° 07.620 W 122° 07.623
10U E 559757 N 5775523
Heart Of A Champion Bull Rider is at the intersection of the Cariboo Hwy. and the Chilcotin-Bella Coola Hwy. near the A&W.
Waymark Code: WM10XV1
Location: British Columbia, Canada
Date Posted: 07/08/2019
Views: 3
Heart of a Champion
by Ken Sheen
Depicts a bucking “Brahma Bull and Rider” and is dedicated to long-time local bull rider Gerald Palmantier.
This chainsaw sculpture Heart of a Champion is 4 meter (13 feet) in height. This is a fine example of Ken Sheen's attention to detail and extraordinary talent. This carving is so realistic at first one many not realize it was done with a chainsaw and carving tools.
"Heart of a Champion"
Gerald “Gerry" James Palmantier
January 8, 1959 - August 27, 1996
Gerry was born and raised in the Cariboo. The grandson of Leonard Palmantier, who co-founded the Williams Lake Stampede, he grew up in the most beautiful ranch lands of the Province. Having lived and cowboyed from Riske Creek, Alkali Lake, Dog Creek, to finally, Sugar Cane where Gerry settled down with his wife Kristy and their children.
Gerry put his heart and soul into everything he did from working in the bush as a faller, buncherman, loader owner/operator, to going on the road as a bull rider and All Around Rodeo Cowboy in both amateur and pro ranks, then finally as a rancher owner/operator of the Bearclaw Ranch.
Gerry was a proud man of Chilcotin, Shuswap and American descent. Gerry lost his battle with bone cancer on August 27, 1996. His uncle, Jack Palmantier, 1976 World Saddle Bronc Champion and world class bucking horse stock contractor, said of his nephew, he had the "Heart of a Champion".
Bear Claw Ranch
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