Why one 11-year-old travelled across the world to visit the Calgary Stampede

After years of dreaming about cowboys, horses, and the Calgary Stampede, 11-year-old Oscar O’Grady finally found himself standing in the place he had always hoped to see.

Born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a complex heart condition, Oscar has spent his life facing challenges most children his age never have.

When Oscar was born, his family was told he may not survive his first year of life. Doctors later estimated that there was only a small chance he would reach the age of five.

Now at 11 years old, Oscar continues to prove everyone wrong. In an interview with Curiocity, Danielle O’Grady, Oscar’s mother, shares that her son’s joy and determination have remained constant throughout his journey. “I’ve never known a child to be as happy as he is, even though he’s been through everything he has,” adds O’Grady.

Despite the challenges he has faced, Oscar has found ways to focus on what brings him happiness. For him, that has always included horses.

A dream inspired by horses

One of Oscar’s favourite activities throughout his life has been horseback riding. While many physical activities have been difficult for him, riding has become something he enjoys and can share with others.

“When he was waiting for a heart transplant and in a wheelchair, it was the way that we managed to get him out and doing some form of exercise,” O’Grady said.

That love for horses eventually led Oscar to dream about visiting the Calgary Stampede. And little did he know that dream would eventually bring him halfway across the world.

A journey years in the making

Through Promise Dreams, a U.K.-based charity supporting children with serious and life-limiting illnesses, Oscar was given the opportunity to experience the Stampede in person. When Oscar found out he would be travelling to Calgary, his reaction was exactly what his family hoped for.

“He was literally jumping up and down. He could not believe it,” O’Grady said.

The trip had been nearly two years in the making, but getting to Calgary wasn’t always guaranteed. Along the way, Oscar’s family faced moments when they weren’t sure the journey would happen.

“A couple of months ago, we weren’t sure we were going to make it because his heart wasn’t looking so good,” O’Grady said. “Every step of the way has been, ‘ Will we, won’t we?”

But Oscar never once lost his excitement.

“He was just like, ‘Yeah, we’re going.’ He was very determined,” O’Grady said.

Finally experience the Calgary Stampede

The family’s visit was made possible through a collaboration between Promise Dreams, Delta Hotel by Marriott Calgary Downtown, Rocky Mountaineer, Tourism Calgary, and the Calgary Stampede.

“We wanted to be part of creating that experience for him,” said Kelly Mytz, marketing director at Delta Hotel by Marriott Calgary Downtown. “It feels good when we can do something that is so heartfelt.”

Now in Calgary, Oscar is getting the chance to experience the parts of Stampede that he has been looking forward to for years, including seeing the horses, meeting cowboys, and taking in the fireworks.

For Oscar’s family, the most meaningful part of the trip isn’t one big moment. It’s seeing him experience the little things he only once imagined.

“For me, it’s just seeing the joy of actually being here and seeing the fact he gets to go to the Stampede, and he’s actually made it,” O’Grady said.

“But for him, I think it’s all the little parts of it, seeing a cowboy or seeing the horses.”

For Oscar, horses have always been a bright spot throughout his journey. Now, after years of looking forward to this moment, he finally gets to experience the magic of the Calgary Stampede that he once only imagined.

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