Brian Claypool

From Bink's to the crash site.

Today, May 22, 2026, marks 47 years since Brian's plane did not land at their planned destination. The rodeo world lost four great cowboys...Lee Coleman, Calvin Bunney, Gary Logan and Brian. Mick Whitely was tragically killed in a separate incident that same weekend.

It started the largest air search in Oregon history, with family and many rodeo friends taking part in the search. They found many downed wreckages from the past, but could not find Brian's plane. Finally, on September 22, some outfitters spotted what they thought was the wreckage....deep in a canyon in northern California. They went in, and when they spotted a riggin bag, they knew it was so. September 22 was also Brian's birthday.

My thoughts and prayers go out to the families and all the friends of all the guys. The stories go really deep on this page, and most are documented in some videos I did on a trip to the crash site with the family a few years back.

God bless.🙏

Happy Birthday to Brian's brother Dale Claypool today!

Good morning everyone! I've had a bit of a secret shaping up over the last while, and it's time to reveal what's up. As you saw awhile back, Bob "Spoonbill" Clark's daughter Lori reached out with some pics of some chaps Brian gave them way back. It was a thankyou for letting him stay there, whenever he was rodeoing in that area.

Fast forward, and "Spoonbill" had the idea of doing a handoff sometime, so the chaps could go to their rightful place. I have reached out, first and foremost, to Arlee Claypool for permission to go forward with this. Am trusting he will let the family know. 😉

The Clark's have a cabin up by Smoky Lake, and they'll be attending the Smoky Lake Stampede August long...as will I. Bob would like to wear them in the parade, once last time, then do the handoff. When Lori asked if he was maybe too old to ride a horse in the parade, he said "I'm 87 NOT 97!" That's the best answer ever!

Last but not least, I have to mention a very special person that took this project on.....Karlie Althouse of KT Horse Training & Saddle Sales. She took what were old, dirty, crispy chaps that Brian's mum Ellen Claypool made way back, and brought them back to life....with some character remaining. Oh, if those chaps could talk....... Thanks so much for taking that on, Karlie....you crushed it!

Am hoping they might end up in the Canadian Cowboy Hall of Fame in Ponoka, so all rodeo fans can get a look at them. *In progress.

Lew Harrison has come thru again. Here's some pics of the Avenue B store supplied by Terry Hoknes. It's where I bought my first pair of boots from Charlene.

Might have heard there was a coffee pot in there somewhere too.....

Wow, this is from my buddy and friend of the Claypools, Lew Harrison! 1960, it says....

It's been three years, but there's a lot of folks that have great memories of Lee Bellows. Rest in peace, Lee. 🙏

Happy Birthday to Brian’s nephew and namesake, Brian Symington today!