1946 is filled with significant history for Elgin, Oregon. The Elgin Stampede Riding Club had its inaugural celebration, and Jack Shaffer was born. In 1966, Jack married Georgia Frazier, and they began their legacy at the Elgin Stampede grounds.
Jack recalls when the grandstands were held together with bailing wire, bubble gum, and spit. In the early 1970s, Jack became a charter member of the Elgin Team Roping Club and Georgia rode in the Drill Team and Family Play Days. The two shared their horse Ribbon for all events. Jack and Georgia enjoyed several weekends of club team roping, followed by potlucks and entertainment from the kids riding the worn-out roping steers. When Jack was not team roping, he was bucking out some of his dad’s amateur bronc horses in this arena and he won the bareback riding in a Stampede Club Jackpot. Other Stampede arena victories for Jack included the Wild Cow Milking on three separate occasions. The most memorable Wild Cow Milking victory was sponsored by Derv’s Drug that Jack and Les Case won. Jack instilled the thrill of Wild Cow Milking to Derek, Justin, and grandson Klint.
Jack and Georgia cherish the days of competition between the Stampeders, the La Grande Mavericks, the Union Stock Show, and the Chief Joseph Days clubs. Many Chariot Races, Pony Races, and Relay Races were held on the historic Elgin Stampede track. Outside of the rodeo events, Jack and Georgia participated in the Elgin Timber Carnival and Jack helped build the track for the stock car races once held at the north end of the property.
Aside from competing in the arena, Jack and Georgia dedicated many years of volunteer service to the Elgin Stampede. In the late 1970s, Georgia sold program advertising along with her friends, Nancy Case, Joy Heighes, Phyllis Bechtel, Kathy Weatherspoon, and Carrie Braughton. At rodeo time, Georgia ushered rodeo fans to their seats in the wooden grandstands. Many years went by before Georgia was able to see an entire Stampede parade, as she had been busy for years, lining the parade entries along the city streets. For several decades, Georgia organized the servers for the famous Elgin Crab Feed. Jack has been a constant figure in the stripping chutes over the years. In 1997, while son Derek was the Stampede President, Jack built two bucking chutes in his shop and then helped rebuild the catch pens and roping chutes. The lumber you see on Chute 9 came from Jack and son, Justin’s sawmill. Jack and Georgia have been big supporters of the Elgin Stampede Family Night, volunteering countless hours, even after their kids and grandkids moved on.
Jack and Georgia share many cherished memories of the Elgin Stampede. Jack reports his favorite memory of all, is of his dad, the late Larry Shaffer. During Larry’s reign of grand marshal, he entered the arena, and his horse let loose and started bucking. Even in poor health, Larry’s bronc skills were still intact, and he rode ‘er out, finishing his lap at full speed, with a smile on his face. Georgia’s favorite arena memories are of ALL the grandkids and their friends too. A few highlights of the grandkids, including watching Jacie Jane at age four, running wide-open on her little pony, carrying the original Elgin Riding Club flag. Other highlights included watching Calvin ride saddle bronc in the PRCA performances.
Jack and Georgia raised two boys, Derek and Justin. Derek is joined by wife Selina, son Klint and wife Kylie and daughters, Kodi and Kosli. Daughter, Jacie and husband Kasen Skinner and son Beau. Justin is joined by wife Sharra, son Calvin, the late Emma, Treynae and daughter Oreanna, and stepson Tayler Lane and wife Sarah. Jack and Georgia have instilled the family values of working hard and playing hard, both in and out of this arena.