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Jerri Duce

{{short description|Canadian barrel racer}}

{{Infobox person

| name = Jerri Duce

| image =

| alt =

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| birth_name =

| birth_date = {{Birth year and age|1951}}

| birth_place = Claresholm, Alberta, Canada

| death_date =

| death_place =

| nationality = Canadian

| other_names = Jerri Duce Phillips

| occupation = Rodeo contestant, trick rider, horse trainer

| years_active = 1960-present

| known_for =

| notable_works =

}}

Jerri Duce, also known as Jerri Duce Phillips, (born 1951) is a nine-time Canadian barrel racing champion. She was the first Canadian woman to qualify for the National Finals Rodeo (1975) in the United States and was the first woman inducted into the Canadian Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame (1997). She also performed as a trick rider and stunt rider. She was inducted into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame in 2010 and runs a horseback riding school.

Early life

Jerri Duce was born in 1951 in Claresholm, Alberta, Canada, to Rose M. (née Cisar) and Frank M. Duce.{{sfn|Canadian Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame|1997}}{{sfn|The Calgary Herald|2011|p=20}} Her father was a rodeo champion, holding the Canadian title for saddle bronc riding in 1951 and 1952.{{sfn|The Calgary Herald|2011|p=20}}{{sfn|Canadian Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame|1987}} Her mother was a hairdresser and seamstress, who made all of the costumes for the rest of the family in their rodeo competitions.{{sfn|The Calgary Herald|2011|p=20}}

Along with her older brother Jack and younger sister Joy, Duce began riding at a young age. All three children participated in rodeo.{{sfn|Smith|1971|p=13}} When Duce was nine, her father bought a trick saddle for his daughters at their insistence.{{sfn|Smith|1971|p=13}} The girls began trying tricks on the saddle and then bought the book The Complete Book of Trick and Fancy Riding, which advertised "144 ways to break your neck" and gave diagrams and descriptions of various tricks.{{sfn|Caney|1986|p=D18}}{{sfn|The Westerners Brandbook|1970|p=77}}{{sfn|Walters|1983|p=D8}} Because of his involvement in rodeo, their father knew people who could coach the girls and hired trainers for them.{{sfn|Smith|1971|p=13}}

Career

Duce began a trick riding career with her sister, Joy, in 1960,{{sfn|Canadian Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame|1997}} when they were hired by a stock contractor who booked them for 50 shows.{{sfn|Caney|1986|p=D18}} Though they lived in Granum, Alberta, eight months out of the year, the sisters traveled with their parents, performing at shows.{{sfn|Smith|1971|p=13}} Initially, they were called "Sister Act", but soon changed their name to "The Flying Duces".{{sfn|Canadian Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame|1997}} Among the tricks in their act the sisters performed the back bend, the one foot stand, the layout, the suicide drag, and the under the neck tricks.{{sfn|The Edmonton Journal|1981|p=D11}} In 1972, they teamed up with J. W. Stoker, a champion trick rider and roper from Weatherford, Texas and toured throughout the U.S. as the "Ace and Two Duces" and booked shows with him through 1974.{{sfn|Cooper|1973|p=32}}

Around 1980, Duce married Lee Phillips, a steer wrestler, who had been president of the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association (CPRA).{{sfn|Caney|1986|p=D18}} For a time, the sisters performed with Leo Gooch before having Kelly King join their act in the mid-1980s, performing as JLK Troupe.{{sfn|Caney|1986|p=D18}}{{sfn|Walters|1983|p=D8}} They rode all over North America and performed abroad "in England and Scotland in 1981, Bermuda in 1988 and Japan in 1991".{{sfn|Canadian Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame|1997}} Their performance venues included Expo 67 and the 1988 Winter Olympics,{{sfn|Swan|Swan|2010|p=3}} as well as many annual shows at the Calgary Stampede.{{sfn|Caney|1986|p=D18}} They also performed as stunt riders in films, such as Robert Altman's 1975 production, Buffalo Bill and the Indians, or Sitting Bull's History Lesson.{{sfn|Altman|2000|p=xxvi}}

Duce won her first Canadian barrel racing championship in 1964,{{sfn|Canadian Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame|1997}}{{sfn|The Edmonton Journal|2003|p=F11}} when she was 12 years old. It was the first time the championship had been won by a member of the junior division.{{sfn|The Calgary Herald|1964|p=32}} She repeated the feat eight times, winning in 1965, 1966, 1968, 1970, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977.{{sfn|The Edmonton Journal|2003|p=F11}}{{sfn|Canadian Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame|1997}} Her sister finished second in the standings on five of Duce's winning years.{{sfn|Hall|1978|p=B10}} She also holds the Canadian record for the most points won over six events, 230 points, as well as the most first place rankings over six events, with five firsts.{{sfn|The Edmonton Journal|2003|p=F11}} She was the first Canadian woman to qualify for the National Finals Rodeo (NFR) and competed at the Oklahoma State Fair Grounds Arena in 1975 and 1976.{{sfn|Swan|Swan|2010|p=3}}{{sfn|''The Daily Oklahoman|1975|p=14}} Though she qualified for the National Finals Rodeo in 1977, a training accident took her out of the competition.{{sfn|Combs|1977|p=A14}}

When Duce became too old to compete in the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association, she joined the Canadian Senior Pro Rodeo Association. In 2012 and 2016, she and her partners won the Ribbon Roping Over 60 championship. In 2014, she won the Ladies Barrel Racing Over 60 championship. Also during this time, in 2012, she awarded the Pattie McPeak Award.{{sfn|Canadian Senior Pro Rodeo Association|2012}}

In 1997, Duce was inducted into the Canadian Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame,{{sfn|Canadian Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame|1997}} the first woman to be inducted.{{sfn|Swan|Swan|2010|p=3}} She began operating a trick riding school in 2003 near Carseland.{{sfn|Swan|Swan|2010|p=3}}{{sfn|Farrar|2005|p=C1}} She was inducted into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame in 2010.{{sfn|Swan|Swan|2010|p=3}}

References

=Citations=

{{Reflist|30em}}

=Bibliography=

{{refbegin|30em}}

  • {{cite book |last=Altman |first=Robert |editor-last1=Sterritt |editor-first1=David|title=Robert Altman: Interviews |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Sxud8G_2dNwC&pg=PR26 |series=Conversations with Filmmakers |date=2000 |publisher=University Press of Mississippi |location=Jackson, Mississippi |isbn=978-1-57806-187-7}}
  • {{cite news |last1=Caney |first1=Carol |title=Trick Riding Trio Popular Act |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/49968935/trick-riding-trio-popular-act-22-june/ |access-date=1 May 2020 |date=22 June 1986 |newspaper=The Calgary Herald |location=Calgary, Alberta |page=D18 |via=Newspapers.com}}
  • {{cite news |last1=Combs |first1=Connie |title=Top 15 Barrel Racers Includes Names often Seen at Greeley |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/49969266/greeley-daily-tribune/ |access-date=1 May 2020 |date=28 June 1977 |newspaper=The Greeley Daily Tribune |location=Greeley, Colorado |page=A14 |via=Newspapers.com}}
  • {{cite news |last1=Cooper |first1=Gary |title=The Ace and Two Duces—Top Act |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/49969758/edmonton-journal/ |newspaper=The Edmonton Journal |access-date=1 May 2020 |location=Edmonton, Alberta |date=28 March 1973 |page=32 |via=Newspapers.com}}
  • {{cite news |last1=Farrar |first1=Gaeil |title=Thurston Gang Rides Up, Down, Sideways |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/49969644/the-tribune/ |access-date=1 May 2020 |date=30 June 2005 |newspaper=The Tribune |location=Williams Lake, British Columbia |page=C1 |via=Newspapers.com}}
  • {{cite news |last1=Hall |first1=Ken |title=Jerri Is Rose among Rodeo's Thorns and Nine National Titles Make Bouquet |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/49969928/calgary-herald/ |access-date=1 May 2020 |date=25 March 1978 |newspaper=The Calgary Herald |location=Calgary, Alberta |page=B10 |via=Newspapers.com}}
  • {{cite news |last1=Smith |first1=Gail |title=Trick Saddle Results in Sisters' Riding Act |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/49948645/the-leader-post/ |access-date=1 May 2020 |date=23 March 1971 |newspaper=The Leader-Post |location=Regina, Saskatchewan |page=13 |via=Newspapers.com}}
  • {{cite journal |last1=Swan |first1=Tracy |last2=Swan |first2=Dusti |title=Alberta Sports Hall of Fame to Induct Jerri Duce Phillips |journal=Barrel Racing Report |date=9 March 2010 |volume=4 |issue=10 |page=3 |url=http://www.barrelracingreport.com/issues/3_9_10_BarrelRacingReport_HighRes.pdf |access-date=1 May 2020 |location=Dublin, Texas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200501193002/http://www.barrelracingreport.com/issues/3_9_10_BarrelRacingReport_HighRes.pdf |archive-date=1 May 2020 |url-status=live}}
  • {{cite news |last1=Walters |first1=Judy |title=Chilling Stunts Thrill Audiences |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/49969028/calgary-herald/ |access-date=1 May 2020 |date=14 July 1983 |newspaper=The Calgary Herald |location=Calgary, Alberta |page=D8 |via=Newspapers.com}}
  • {{cite news |ref={{harvid|The Edmonton Journal|2003}} |author= |title=Barrel Racing |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/50002142/barrel-racing-3-november-2003/ |newspaper=The Edmonton Journal |access-date=1 May 2020 |location=Edmonton, Alberta |date=3 November 2003 |page=F11 |via=Newspapers.com}}
  • {{cite news |ref={{harvid|The Calgary Herald|1964}} |author= |title=Canadian Cowgirl Champions Named |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46243577/calgary-herald/ |newspaper=The Calgary Herald |access-date=1 May 2020 |location=Calgary, Alberta |date=7 November 1964 |page=32 |via=Newspapers.com}}
  • {{cite news |ref={{harvid|The Calgary Herald|2011}} |author= |title=Duce, Rose |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/49998283/obituary-for-rose-m-duce-1927-2011/ |newspaper=The Calgary Herald |access-date=1 May 2020 |location=Calgary, Alberta |date=4 October 2011 |page=20 |via=Newspapers.com}}
  • {{cite news |ref={{harvid|The Edmonton Journal|1981}} |author= |title=Duce Sisters Are up to Old Tricks |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/50011574/duce-sisters-are-up-to-old-tricks-23/ |newspaper=The Edmonton Journal |access-date=1 May 2020 |location=Edmonton, Alberta |date=23 March 1981 |page=D11 |via=Newspapers.com}}
  • {{cite news | ref={{harvid|Canadian Senior Pro Rodeo Association|2012}} | title=CSPRA Championship History | url=http://www.canadaseniorrodeo.com/Standings_118_1577293720.pdf | publisher=Canadian Senior Pro Rodeo Association | access-date=May 15, 2020 | location=Carseland, Alberta | archive-date=May 15, 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200515194926/http://www.canadaseniorrodeo.com/Standings_118_1577293720.pdf | url-status=dead }}
  • {{cite web |ref={{harvid|Canadian Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame|1987}} |author= |title=Frank Duce |url=https://www.canadianprorodeohalloffame.org/1987/ |website=Canadian Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame |publisher=Canadian Rodeo Historical Association |access-date=1 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416223304/https://www.canadianprorodeohalloffame.org/1987/ |archive-date=16 April 2019 |location=Calgary, Alberta |date=14 November 1987 |url-status=live}}
  • {{cite web |ref={{harvid|Canadian Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame|1997}} |author= |title=Jerri Duce |url=https://www.canadianprorodeohalloffame.org/1997 |website=Canadian Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame |publisher=Canadian Rodeo Historical Association |access-date=1 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190417182354/https://www.canadianprorodeohalloffame.org/1997/ |archive-date=17 April 2019 |location=Calgary, Alberta |date=8 November 1997 |url-status=live}}
  • {{cite news |ref={{harvid|The Daily Oklahoman|1975}} |author= |title=State Fair Rodeo |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/50006175/state-fair-rodeo-30-september-1975/ |newspaper=The Daily Oklahoman |access-date=1 May 2020 |location=Oklahoma City, Oklahoma |date=30 September 1975 |page=14 |via=Newspapers.com}}
  • {{cite book |ref={{harvid|The Westerners Brandbook|1970}} |author= |title=The Westerners Brandbook |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AHAvAQAAMAAJ |volume=27-33 |year=1970 |publisher=Chicago Corral of the Westerners |location=Chicago, Illinois |oclc=4296590 |quote=The binder's title makes it 'The Complete Book of Trick and Fancy Riding', and that would seem no exaggeration. The book describes '144 ways to break your neck' and each trick is also diagrammed...}}

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{{Use American English|date=May 2020}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2020}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Duce, Jerri}}

Category:1951 births

Category:Living people

Category:Sportspeople from Alberta

Category:Canadian barrel racers

Category:Canadian female equestrians

Category:Trick riders

Category:Canadian Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame inductees

Category:Alberta Sports Hall of Fame inductees

Category:People from the Municipal District of Willow Creek No. 26

Category:20th-century Canadian sportswomen