Ken and Deb Pigeon's path to managing the Calgary Stampede’s historic OH Ranch is rooted in shared passions, deep connection, and an unwavering dedication to Western heritage. Born and raised in the same small town, they are high school sweethearts who bonded over their mutual love for horses and being in the backcountry.
The OH Ranch, 8,000 acres of ranchland along the Highwood River, became part of the Calgary Stampede in 2012 through a generous donation from Philanthropist, Bill Siebens. As a working cattle ranch, it not only raises beef but also serves as a hub for education and connection. Alongside the Stampede Foundation's Youth Education team, Ken and Deb support the OH Ranch Education Program, which introduces children to ranch life at a young age.
Ken, the Manager of the OH Ranch, discovered his love for horses at 16 when he worked as an outfitter in Alberta’s Wilmore wilderness area, leading multi-day backcountry trips. Deb, the Ranch’s Administrator, is a natural equestrian who grew up guiding visitors through Jasper National Park, where her family ran a riding stable. After high school, the couple spent a decade working in Banff National Park as outfitters before joining the Ya Ha Tinda Ranch, raising and training patrol horses for Parks Canada. In December 2012, their expertise in livestock management, tourism and public relations led them to the Calgary Stampede’s OH Ranch.
“It was a fit for them, and it was a fit for us,” Ken recalls. Life on the OH Ranch is anything but predictable. “A typical day never happens at the Ranch. It’s always forever changing,” Ken explains. Mornings begin early, feeding the animals before the couple grabs coffee and discusses the day’s plans. Each day offers new tasks and the unexpected challenges of managing life on a working ranch. In the winter months, the work doesn’t slow down, with the care and maintenance of the herd a round-the-clock job.
When the warmer months arrive, so do the young visitors from the city, as part of the Stampede's Youth Education programming. “Today, most kids are two generations removed from a farm or ranch. They don’t always know where their food comes from,” Ken says. “The program gives them that tie – that connection to the land.”
The OH Branded Beef Youth Ambassador program also extends this mission, teaching youth in the agricultural space about raising and caring for cattle, sustainable ranching and Western values. This unique new Stampede program provides the opportunity to raise a steer produced from the OH Ranch herd, ultimately showing and selling it the following Stampede.
For Ken and Deb, the Stampede is a vital force in preserving Western traditions. “Western heritage and the history of the West is what built this country,” Ken affirms. The Stampede’s dedication to preserving Western culture through events, education and the OH Ranch ensures these traditions and values endure.
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