DEADLINE APRIL 15TH, 2025.

HARVEY NORTHCOTT MEMORIAL FUND SCHOLARSHIP

Scholarship Application WORD Form.

Reminder!

Deadline for receipt of applications for the Harvey Northcott Memorial Scholarship Fund is April 15. Complete typed applications for the Harvey Northcott Memorial Scholarship Fund must be postmarked by April 15 to be eligible for the current year. Please send applications to Leduc Black Gold Pro Rodeo & Exhibition Association, Box 3235, Leduc, AB T9E 6L9

A. Rationale and Philosophy:

Scholarships funded by the Leduc Black Gold Rodeo & Exhibition Association in memory of Harvey Northcott are based on the following rationale and philosophy:
It is the mission of the Leduc Black Gold Rodeo & Exhibition Association to promote, support and encourage agricultural opportunities in our urban and rural community.

We believe:

Youth are the future of our community, country and industry.
The education of students is a shared responsibility among the home, school and community. It is our responsibility to be a community leader that promotes agriculture.
All students have a right to a sound education that will enable them to apply their learned skills to daily life.
By supporting those who wish to pursue Agricultural related studies, we are assisting in the continuation of Agriculture in our community, our province and our country.

B. Scholarship Program Details

Two $1,000.00 scholarships will be awarded per year.
The criteria for eligibility for the scholarships will be set by the Board of the Leduc Black Gold Rodeo & Exhibition Association.
A selection committee made up of three representatives - one from the Harvey Northcott Family and two from the Leduc Black Gold Rodeo & Exhibition Association (at least one board member and one other member) will review the applications and choose two scholarship recipients.
Recipients will be notified after the selection date.

C. Eligibility for a Leduc Black Gold Rodeo & Exhibition Association Scholarship

1. These scholarships are open to students who reside in the County of Leduc or who are resident Albertans and are members of either an amateur or professional Rodeo Association.

2. Applicants must have a Grade 12 Diploma and be entering one of the following programs:

An Apprenticeship program
A Trades program
A post- secondary institution, college or university program.

Preference will be given to applicants entering programs which support and benefit agriculture. Successful applicants must attend a post secondary institution as a full-time student.

3. Those interested in applying should note their application must:

Be completed using this application form
Be typed
Be complete (ensure that all the information is accurate and correct, as only complete applications will be considered)
Include an original photo
Include a copy of your official transcript request (and date requested)
Be submitted (please send the original copy) by mail to the Leduc Black Gold Rodeo & Exhibition Association at the address shown above. Applications must be postmarked by April 15 to be eligible for the current year.

Scholarship Winners

The MAN behind the Harvey Northcott Scholarship

One of the Founding Fathers of the Black Gold Rodeo

The name Harvey Northcott had been virtually synonymous with the Leduc Black Gold Rodeo since he helped start the event in 1969 along with Bill "Stoney Burke" Pollock and Bob Robinson. An aspiring rodeo competitor himself, Harvey was well-known in area rodeo circles for keeping a number of practise animals on his ranch in southern Alberta. Therefore, when the nearby community of Carseland wanted to start an annual rodeo, the organizers asked Harvey to provide the stock for the competitors to ride.

A Bucking Business is Born

This opportunity provided Harvey with the impetus to start a business in supplying bulls, broncs and heifers to rodeos all over North America in 1967. Just two years later, Harvey used the knowledge he learned about rodeos to help create Leduc's first rodeo under the auspices of the Foothills Rodeo Association, a rodeo body still operating today. It wasn't until 1970, however, that the rodeo was paired with Leduc's popular Black Gold Days to produce the Black Gold Rodeo which we know and love.

Saved By the Lions

Although the initial years were pretty lean for the group, they managed to grow and prosper with the asistance and resources of the Leduc Lions Club. Other groups also joined the fun with the Elks Club of Leduc playing a major role in the Rodeo of Smiles.

Just Desserts for a Founding Father

Harvey worked as hard at his business as he did at promoting the sport of rodeo throughout the province. As a result of his efforts, in 2012 the revered stockman was posthumously inducted into the Canadian Professional Rodeo Hall of Fame In Calgary.

Northcott Left a Lasting Legacy

The name Harvey Northcott will remain alive in the hearts of Black Gold Rodeo fans far into the future thanks to the annual scholarships that were created in his name by the BGR organizing committee. Harvey’s positive influence on the sport is reflected in the fact that he continues to encourage rodeo in our province, even after his passing. The Black Gold Rodeo Association salutes Harvey Northcott and his belief that rodeo horsemanship is an integral part of Alberta's past and must be preserved into the future.