Four Americans were invited up to Canada this summer for several weeks in July. Three of which are part of the starting USA World Cup Squad.
Pete Balogh, Evan Vallee & Jessie Reed, along with Gracie Gill heading West to Calgary to Stampede it up this July.
“To be invited to join Calgary Polocrosse in the Stampede Parade and open up the Largest Outdoor Event in the World is something that every polocrosse player should put in their Bucketlist, several times! Alberta Canada and the Calgary people are one of my most favorite places in the world to travel!– Jessie Reed”
The players arrived the first week of July to start their adventure. Jessie Reed was returning for the third time to Calgary and the others enjoyed their first time. They had a couple days of settling in and then they participated in one of life’s greatest experiences- Being in the Calgary Stampede Opening Parade! Over 500,000 spectators line the streets of Calgary cheering on horses, floats, and people!
The Calgary Stampede is a volunteer-supported, not-for-profit organization that preserves and promotes western heritage and values. Best known for the world-renowned 10-day event, the Calgary Stampede is active year-round.
All the players commented how remarkable the city looked after massive devastating floods only a couple weeks prior to the great 101 Year old Rodeo! After the Parade opening, Pete, Evan & Grace participated in games over the weekend while Jessie umpired. Jessie, during the week, put on a great umpire clinic which helped Polocrosse Calgary get well under way in developing an umpire program for all Canadian Polocrosse players. During the week, Jessie took the others to one of her favorite places: Banff! Tucked in the beautiful mountains is a magical place called Banff- She showed them around the town as well as taking them to jaw dropping hikes for two days. ” We started out early one morning and we stopped at Johnston Cayon’s amazing waterfalls and then hiked to the top of Lake Louise, Mirror Lake, and Lake Agnes for a pot of tea at the famous Tea House! It’s one of my favorite hikes. I think I can safely say, it’s Evan’s, Gracie’s and Pete’s favorite hike now too!” – JessieAll the players commented how remarkable the city looked after massive devastating floods only a couple weeks prior to the great 101 Year old Rodeo!
After the Parade opening, Pete, Evan & Grace participated in games over the weekend while Jessie umpired. Jessie, during the week, put on a great umpire clinic which helped Polocrosse Calgary get well under way in developing an umpire program for all Canadian Polocrosse players.
During the week, everyone visited former Canadian World Cup players Jacquie & Sean McArthur on their beautiful farm to meet some adorable ASH progeny of Jacquie’s breeding program.
Then, Jessie took the others to one of her favorite places: Banff! Tucked in the beautiful mountains is a magical place called Banff- She showed them around the town as well as taking them to jaw dropping hikes for two days.
” We started out early one morning and we stopped at Johnston Cayon’s amazing waterfalls and then hiked to the top of Lake Louise, Mirror Lake, and Lake Agnes for a pot of tea at the famous Tea House! It’s one of my favorite hikes. I think I can safely say, it’s Evan’s, Gracie’s and Pete’s favorite hike now too!” – Jessie
Once back to the City of Calgary, everyone enjoyed spending a couple of days at the Stampede. Watching the exciting parts of the Rodeo as well as the thrilling Chuck Wagon Races!!! Woot Woot- a site that everyone should experience!
The final weekend was spent playing polocrosse in a USA vs CAN Test Match that Lesley Plant organized as part of as education for the growing sport of polocrosse within Calgary. The team that represented America was Evan Vallee, Gracie Gill and Pete Balogh, Jessie Reed along with Lesley Plant & Samantha Cave umpired the games. Once the games were over, the rest of the club and other polocrosse players participated in a fun “Prom Dress Playday” in full dresses found at the local thrift store!
Some players got carried away!
What a wonderful time spent in Canada- a must go-to location for all players around the World to vacation, have a great time, meeting wonderful people, play polocrosse and see an amazing part of the World!