Rodeo Daily Wrap-up

July 15, 2012

When Guy Weadick organized the first Calgary Stampede one hundred years ago, his invitation to the world’s best cowboys was ‘the money is here, come and get it’. Champions at the 1912 received a one thousand dollar cheque, which was a lot of money back then. One hundred years later, champions receive a hundred times that much, and it’s still the kind of money that makes a difference to the best competitors in the world.

For the first time since the Stampede went to the big bonus cheques, it rained during the Showdown rodeo. And the mud wasn’t the only unusual factor, with drama abounding all afternoon long.

Take, for instance, the bull riding, where only three of the ten qualifiers made it to the whistle in the opening round. Then in the Showdown, all three bucked off. So Stampede officials reloaded the chutes, and the cowboys went back to work. This time, all three rode. Defending Stampede champion Shane Proctor was still hanging on to his bull rope, but clinging off the side of his bull at eight seconds, reflected in a 66.5 point score. Saskatchewan’s Aaron Roy was 86 points on Riskey Remedy. But in a rematch from last Saturday, Canadian champion Chad Besplug bettered that score by one, taking his first Stampede title with an 87 point ride on the Big Stone bull Kish This.

“I had one moment there during the ride when I thought, ‘I may be winning a hundred thousand’ and just about fell off,” Besplug told the cheering grandstand, as he accepted his Stampede champions bronze trophy.

“It was a split second, then I said ‘I ain’t letting this go’, and went back to riding, and I was spurring him by the end,” he said later, to the media.

Besplug’s sister, Jill, is a two-time Stampede champion in the barrel racing, and he also told the grandstand it was nice for him to be able to have that Calgary winning sensation for himself.

“I remember I couldn’t have been happier in that moment for her, and I just imagined how happy she was, and it’s pretty cool to feel it myself now.”

But, in true sibling fashion, he added a note.

“Back when she won it, it only paid $50,000. So I told her before this, if I win one, I’m equal. So it’s a tie,” he joked.

Growing up in southern Alberta, in a rodeo family, being the Centennial winner of the Stampede has extra significance for the 26-year-old.

“I remember driving in, thinking this 100th year is pretty special. I was thinking about all the cowboys that have been here before, and I got goosebumps. Now just to be part of that history is pretty amazing. That, to me, is worth more than a hundred thousand.”

But Besplug won’t deny the money will spend well too, and he plans to live up to a pledge he and his travelling partners had made before the rodeo to do something special if one of them won. They’d decided on a trip to Disneyland, and Besplug confirms that’s what they’ll be doing.

There’s nothing like a tie or two to enhance the script of a Showdown Sunday at the Stampede.

In the bareback riding, both Dusty LaValley and Kaycee Field emerged with outstanding 89 point rides at the top of the final four. Field rode Growney’s Witch Doctor, while LaValley got his mark on Calgary’s Muffled Cries. That was his third horse of the day, after a frightening fall with Big Stone’s Tar Baby first time around.

In the ride-off, LaValley was still spurring hard, and chalked up 88 points on Growney’s Raggety Ann, but World Champion Field was two points more, marking 90 on Vold’s Nelly Kelly, to win his first Stampede bareback championship. He was so happy he took a bellyflop into a mud puddle in front of the chutes.

“It was so awesome today,” bubbled the 25-year-old, who lives in Elk Ridge, Utah. “The crowd was awesome. It was raining and muddy and really western, but that’s kind of what cowboys are made of – grit and toughness. To come out and do it today, especially on the 100th, and then on top of it to win the $100,000, I’m tickled to death and couldn’t be any happier.”

To have to get the win on an extra horse only meant a little more entertainment for the second generation pro.

“The ride-off is so much fun. I love getting on bucking horses, and to ride another one in a tie-breaker, and show that I can ride three in a day and still ride at the top of my ability (is great). Dusty’s the same way. He can ride all day, every day. To have him to compete against in a tie-breaker is just awesome.”

The tie-down roping Showdown final had to go an extra frame as well, when both Stampede rookie Cory Solomon and three-time Stampede winner Fred Whitfield tied up their muddy calves in 8.1 seconds. In the rope-off, the veteran Whitfield went first and wrapped up his black and white longhorn calf in 8.4 seconds. But then the speedy youngster came out and in the blink of an eye, sizzled through his run in 7.7 seconds. That was enough to give the younger Texan his very first Stampede honor, and the $100,000 cheque.

“Making the top four is just like a dream come true,” stated Solomon, who turns 22 on July 27th. “Just to come in here, and get all the way to the top is an unbelievable feeling, and I just thank God for the moment.”

There was a touching moment for the crowd, when Whitfield rode out, and the two cowboys had a brief hug in the middle of the arena. Solomon credited the 44-year-old seven-time World Champion with being a mentor for his own success.

“My Dad taught me everything I know, but I only live 8-10 minutes from Fred. I used to leave school and go to his house, or he’d come to mine, and we’d get together to practice. He told me out there he was proud of me.”

Oregon’s Trevor Knowles collected his second Calgary steer wrestling bronze after he, as the first bulldogger to go, set the pace with a 3.4 second run, that none of the others could match.

“I’m a mudder,” laughed Knowles, who was covered in mud from head to toe from his wrestling match. “I’ll take it all day. I can scrub this mud off pretty easy. You’re hoping to get dirty, really.”

It marks the third time the Calgary steer wrestling $100,000 bonus has been won on board Lee Graves’ horse Jesse.

There was another repeat winner in the saddle bronc riding, when Iowa’s Wade Sundell came out the high man in a stellar section. Sundell inked his name on the oversized $100,000 cheque for riding Northcott’s horse Get Smart to 88.5 points.

Idaho’s Sue Smith calls her gifted sorrel horse Claimer, short for Real Claim Ta Fame, and the horse really did claim some fame for his owner Sunday afternoon in the Showdown round of barrel racing at Calgary. Smith managed to speed things up in the Final Four, despite the muddy arena, and her time of 17.53 second run was easily the fastest. Smith acknowledged the $100,000 may end up going to a new truck for her rodeo trails, since their current one is acting up.

The Bucking Stock awards were presented Sunday afternoon as well. The Northcott family of Caroline won for the saddle bronc horse Get Smart; the bareback horse of the Stampede was Growney’s Witch Doctor, while the Stampede’s own bull Beaver was named bull of the 2012 Calgary Stampede.

WHAT THE STAMPEDE CHAMPIONS ARE SAYING…

Saddle Bronc Champion Wade Sundell on his winning ride on Get Smart…

“That was actually the third time I’ve gotten on that horse. The last time I got on him was here, and I was 88.5 on him then too. So it worked out pretty good. I went a little bit of a different attack on him this time, with a little shorter rein, and it seemed to work keeping my butt down in the saddle this time. But man, that horse of Ace (Northcott’s), he’s a bucker, and he was all there, and it was all I could handle right there.”

Bareback Champion Kaycee Feild on where some of his $100,000 could be spent…

“I gotta buy my wife a new car. I kind of owe her a car. She lived in Montana, and I would never go see her. She was always driving to come and see me, a couple times a month. So I kind of owe it to her. Then after that, I’d like a boat, but we’ll see what happens.”

Steer Wrestling two-time Stampede Champion Trevor Knowles…

“I had a good chance last year to win it, and I missed one in the Final Four round, and I dang sure didn’t want to repeat that. So I needed to come with some heat today. I finally got a great start, and it sure makes things a lot easier when you don’t have to run them down there.”

Tie-Down Champion Cory Solomon on his final calf in challenging conditions…

“I just got a good start and I wanted to really make sure I roper her first. Once I got to her, I just wanted to slow down and make no mistakes because of the conditions, hands wet, your piggin string wet. I knew if I could just be smooth right there, I was going to be seven something. Like I say, we all can plan how our run is going to go, I just thank God it worked out.”

Barrel Racing Champion Sue Smith on her Stampede victory…

“It’s probably the biggest win I’ve ever had, single win, for sure. It’s pretty exciting. It means everything to me, doing it on this horse, because I trained him. He was a futurity colt, I bought him as a yearling, I love the horse. He’s done so much for me, more for me than I’ll ever do for him. So I’m pretty proud of him.”

Bull Riding Champion Chad Besplug on being on the only Stampede champion from Canada…

“It feels good. I’m always rooting for Canadians, everybody knows that. I’m friends with all these American guys too, but I like it when we get one up on them, because they usually beat us.”

July 14, 2012

They call it Wildcard Saturday at the Calgary Stampede for good reason. The stakes are high and anything can happen. The twelve contestants in each event who haven’t qualified through their pools have one last shot at making it to the Showdown Sunday where another million dollars is up for grabs. But the key is they have to be the two fastest or have the two highest marks. And that’s not easy to do.

A pair of last year’s Stampede Champions will have a shot at defending their titles after Saturday’s go-round.

It took an eight second dance with Gypsy Soul for saddle bronc rider Chad Ferley to earn his way back to Sunday. The 84.5 point mark was best of the round, giving him an additional $6000, but the best prize of all is an another appointment for Sunday.

“Luckily enough, it worked out that I get to come back tomorrow, and hopefully get another good horse and go on to the $100,000 round,” grinned Ferley.

Last year’s bonus cheque made a big difference for Chad and his wife, Jessica, who live in Oelrichs, South Dakota.

“It worked out great,” he commented. “I paid off a lot of bills, I paid my house off, so at least now I’m a rodeo cowboy who owns his own home!”

Also advancing to Sunday from Wildcard Saturday in the saddle bronc riding is Idaho’s Wade Sundell, who was 83.5 on Calgary’s Navajo Warrior.

Shane Proctor went all the way to the big cheque last year, becoming the bull riding champion in his first year at the Stampede. He’ll be in the hunt for back-to-back titles, but the North Carolina cowboy admits it came down to the wire.

“I did cut it a little close this year, but that’s why they give us this last chance in the Wildcard, and hopefully it pays off in the end,” he stated.

Proctor split first Saturday afternoon by dressing up a big, barrel chested bull by the name of Blue Moon, worth 85 points and $5500, making the cut for Showdown Sunday along with Tanner Girletz of Cereal, who was also 85 on a Franklin bull called Krackin.

Proctor can draw on last year’s triumph for some valuable lessons to apply again this year.

“It was a really neat rookie experience for me at the Calgary Stampede. Riding in front of that many people, the electricity in the air, gets you really pumped up to ride for that hundred thousand. The hardest part about it is staying calm and sticking to business. A lot of times you can get overwhelmed by the atmosphere, but our job is to stay on bulls, and we just want to have a good show for the crowd, and hopefully we’ll do that again tomorrow.”

Trevor Brazile is the world’s most decorated pro cowboy, with an astounding sixteen world titles to his credit. But he’s never been able to win a Calgary Stampede yet. The Texan is a step closer after advancing Saturday by splitting first in the round with Washington’s Tyson Durfey. Both wrapped up their calves in seven seconds flat, and picked up $5500 more apiece.

“It felt good,” commented Brazile, on his winning run. “I felt like we were close all week, with just little things getting in the way. Having it all come together is a big help.”

“There’s definitely some urgency in a day like today, but all in all, I’m trying my guts out every time.”

Asked how badly he’d like to win the Calgary Stampede, Brazile hesitates.

“Just as bad as I’d like to win the lotto, I guess,” grinned the man who was the first pro cowboy to earn three million dollars in the sport. “It’s a really prestigious event, as well as a super payday, so I mean it goes without saying.”

In the bareback riding, Oregon’s Jason Havens advanced, after winning go-round nine with an 83.5 point ride on Big Stone’s Gold Dust, worth $6000. Close behind him was Ponoka’s Jake Vold and Casey Colletti, both with 82 marks. Because Vold won a round earlier in the week, he gets the nod to go through to Sunday.

Two of the steer wrestlers who had the roughest weeks in the pools managed to turn things around and get through Wildcard Saturday. California’s Billy Bugenig was 3.7 seconds, to get the $6000 cheque, while Jake Rinehart of South Dakota was 4.1 seconds, securing second spot and $5000.

Utah’s Jody Sheffield lost out on advancing to Sunday through a tie-breaker in Pool B, but she made her way back in on Saturday, by being fastest barrel racer of the round with a 17.35 second run. Also going through was Idaho’s Sue Smith with her time of 17.52 seconds.

The future of rodeo looked exciting with the depth of talent in the novice events, and the top notch rides in Saturday’s final round for them. Taking the Novice Saddle bronc bronze was Clay Elliott of Nanton with 159 points on two rides, while Cole Jamieson of Innisfail won Calgary novice bareback bronze after he earned 157 points on his pair of rides.

WHAT THE QUALIFERS ARE SAYING…

Bareback qualifier Jake Vold on being part of a legendary rodeo family and now riding in Showdown Sunday at the Centennial Stampede…

“I think it was like 1949, or ’48, there were six Volds here; my Grandpa and his cousins and brother and stuff in the bucking horse riding events. I’m pretty excited to have the name back in Calgary again riding. The Centennial is pretty cool. Everyone is excited.”

Tie-down roping qualifier Tyson Durfey on getting a little help from a friend…

“I rode Fred Whitfield’s mare today and she worked great. He called me when he saw the draw and said ‘man, you’ve got a good chance. You’ve got one that was tied in six before and you got a good chance, so just go make it happen’. He offered his mare to me, and I couldn’t say no. Fred is a guy I’ve watched rope since I was four or five years old. To come out here and get to know him was just a dream.”

Bareback qualifier Jason Havens on being part of Showdown Sunday again at the Stampede…

“If you make it into Sunday, it’s pretty laid back in there because all the horses are good. The hard part is getting there, and now you’re there, so it’s just time to go out and have fun.”

Steer wrestler Billy Bugenig on making it through Wildcard Saturday to Showdown Sunday…

“I just feel fortunate to have another chance at this great rodeo. I was the worst guy the first four days, but I got better today, so we’ll give ‘er another shot tomorrow.”

Barrel racer qualifier Sue Smith on the ground at Calgary Stampede…

“I’ve been really happy with the way the ground has been here this year for me. I think they’ve made a big effort to make it better for us and I appreciate it. I skip a lot of rodeos that I can’t really afford to miss for NFR qualifications to come here, but I still come here, because the money’s so good and they treat us so well.”

Barrel racer Jody Sheffield on winning Wildcard Saturday after missing qualifying from pool B in a tiebreaker…

“I was kind of bummed yesterday that I had to run today, but it definitely worked out. This little six thousand dollars kind of helps make up for yesterday.”

Bull riding qualifier Tanner Girletz on how he’s spending the evening before his first appearance in Showdown Sunday…

“We’ve got a camper at the river. A guy I just met this week, Jordan Eberle, he’s down to watch me today. He’s going to come over and hang out. My cousin’s from Cereal actually came up today and brought their little boy, and he’s the biggest Jordan Eberle fan in the world, so we’re going to sit around and play with him a bit. He’ll be here tomorrow to hopefully help me on again tomorrow, because it seems to be working pretty good!”

July 13, 2012

Sometimes life can take a big turn on only a phone call. That was certainly the case for two of Friday’s go-round winners at the Calgary Stampede. Both Jerome Schneeberger and Kody Lostroh have earned their way through to Showdown Sunday out of the Pool B contestants.

Schneeberger, who’s a tie-down roper, sealed his deal in 6.8 seconds, fastest of the final day for ropers. The $5500 pushed his earnings to $13,000, second best overall, behind the $15,500 piled up by Fred Whitfield, who split second in the round.

It’s not every day a roper will snap out a run that fast, and it’s been even rarer for Schneeberger lately.

“The last time I was six, was here in 2006, the year I won the $100,000,” recalled the roper from Ponca City, Oklahoma. “I think I was 6.8 that year in the semi-finals on Sunday. Really, those are the only two six second runs I’ve ever been in performances. It’s a great feeling.”

The 35-year-old echoed what so many of the competitors have said this week at the Stampede, but his sentiment was tinged with a little extra emotion.

“It’s great to come to Calgary. I got an invitation this year, and…” he pauses, to keep his voice from shaking.

“You know, it’s hard, because I just about quit.”

“I’d decided to stay home this year. I’ve got a job, and I’ve just been staying close to home, and not roping.”

“But then they called me, and asked me if I wanted to come. You never turn down an invitation to come to Calgary. When they called, shoot, it just built a fire in me to go to roping, and practicing. I couldn’t wait to get here.”

Like the retiring Mickey Gee, Schneeberger plans to send more time with his growing family, and work in construction, oilfield and farming at home. Even with the Calgary invitation, Schneeberger took a pass on rodeoing, choosing and enjoying a July fourth at the lake instead of going up and down the rodeo road, for the first time in his 16-year pro career.

“It’s a great feeling to know you’ve still got it, and you can still do it.”

The other two tie-down ropers advancing directly to Sunday from Pool B were Adam Gray, with $12,500 and Adam Gray, at $9500.

Bullrider Kody Lostroh got a late call with his Calgary invite. He’s replacing his buddy and fellow PBR rider Ryan McConnel, who broke his arm recently.

“I’m going to send Ryan maybe a box of chocolates or something for letting me come to Calgary for him,” he chuckled.

Lostroh has made the most of his opportunity, and Friday sat a solid seat on Vold’s Torn Apart, for 86.5 points, and his second go-round bronze trophy of the Stampede. The win pushed his Pool B winnings to $15,500, the top of the heap.

“I couldn’t be more blessed this week,” said the 2009 World PBR Champion, who lives in LaSalle, Colorado. “I got three out of four rode, and won two rounds. For being a late addition, it couldn’t have gone any better. I’m real happy with way it’s gone. I get a day off tomorrow and then Sunday it’s a new day. I’ll just try my guts out and hope it all works out.”

Also advancing out of Pool B bull riders will be Luke Snyder, who earned $11,000; Robson Palermo with $9,000; and L.J. Jenkins, with $7500.

Tanner Milan was breathing a big sigh of relief Friday afternoon, because his 3.9 second run held up to win top money in the steer wrestling, and the $5500 boosted his winnings to $8000, enough to round out the top four qualifiers in his event from Pool B.

“I was kind of doing some figuring last night myself,” the Cochrane, AB cowboy admitted. “I figured I need to win first. The guys ahead of me, I needed them not to have any luck. Everything worked out exactly the way I needed it to.”

Donalda’s Cody Cassidy continued his steady placing record at Calgary, and finished at the top of the Pool B steer wrestlers, with $13,500. Casey Martin was just behind him, at $12,250, followed by Rowdy Hays, at $10,500, with Milan rounding out the top four.

In the bareback riding, Canadian champion Dusty LaValley had the high mark of the day with an 83.5 of Flying Five’s Spotted Mountain, and it was the payday he needed to assure a day off on Wildcard Saturday. Will Lowe finished first for Pool B, with $15,500, followed by LaValley, then Steven Peebles came in with $10,500, with Brian Bain close behind at $10,000.

Louisiana cowboy Cody DeMoss is no stranger to Showdown Sunday at the Calgary Stampede, and he’ll be back again. He won the final day of Pool B saddle bronc action by marking a flashy 88.5 on the Calgary Stampede horse Sergeant Whitney. That pushed his Stampede bank account to $12,000, putting him safely among the four qualifers. The group also included the Wright brothers, with Cody on top at $13,000, followed by Jesse with $12,500. Jesse Bail is the other one advancing to Sunday, with his $10,000 total.

In the barrel racing, Sydni Blanchard and Clancy blazed through the pattern and set a new fast time for the week at 17.28 seconds, and the win put her in first for the Pool B race, at an impressive $18,000 won. Hometown favorite Lindsay Sears of Nanton and her legendary horse Martha will be running for the big money Sunday as well, after finishing close behind Friday with a 17.48, for a total of $11,500. Another Stampede past champion, Tammy Fischer, will be there Sunday, after earning $12,000; along with Carlee Pierce. Both she and Jody Sheffield earned $9500, but Pierce advances through the tie-breaker, which went back to the fastest run of the two.

The 2012 Junior Steer Riding championship was determined Friday, and it was claimed by 12-year-old Briggs Madson of Honeyville, Utah, who chalked up 148.5 points on two rides. The other novice winners will be decided Saturday, but Kody Lamb of Sherwood Park moved into the lead for the novice bareback riding with a 76.5 point ride Friday. Utah’s Rusty Wright, son of Cody Wright, is sitting second in novice bronc riding with a 79.5, behind leader Clay Elliott of Nanton with his 82.5.

WHAT THE WINNERS ARE SAYING…

Junior Steer Riding champion Briggs Madson on the animal he drew to ride… and riding one-handed…

“I thought that everybody else’s was quite a bit ranker. I could’ve got a better one, but it still worked out. Down where we live, in the junior high, we’re getting on big (young) bulls out of the PBR breeding programs, so I’ve been on some pretty rank stuff. I’ve never thought about riding with two hands. I don’t know why you’d do that.”

Bareback rider Dusty LaValley on winning the go-round and advancing straight to Showdown Sunday…

“It was a little bit of a pressure situation going into today. I knew I was right there with a chance to go to the Finals. I knew I had a good horse, and I was hoping for the best. It felt really good. After yesterday’s ride, I was just disgusted. I got yanked on and jerked around there terribly, so I had to come back today and redeem myself. Everybody’s at home watching, so I’ve got to show them I can still ride!”

Saddle bronc rider Cody DeMoss on his winning 88.5 point ride on Sergeant Whitney…

“I thought it was a good ride. I really did. I mean, it felt outstanding. That’s why we do it, is to get on one and to feel like that. To feel like you just own him, and get your feet set, and then beating him to the ground, and styling it up and making it look nice. I mean, that’s why we do it. All this money and stuff, it’s great too. But at the end of the everybody’s career, that’s what they remember, is the ones that they rode really, really good, and the ones that they won on. The feeling of the win is the big deal.”

Barrel racer Sydni Blanchard on her 17.28 second run with Clancy, a different horse that she won on last year…

“I’m really excited. My fastest time here was a 21 on Shotgun, so I mean that’s just a few one-hundredths off, so I’m really excited. I’m really proud of him. Today before I ran, it was the calmest he’s been, most relaxed. He’s getting a lot more comfortable, and I think he’s just really starting to enjoy his job.”

Tie-down roper Jerome Schneeberger on making a six second run…

“Fred Whitfield and I were talking earlier. Everybody says they can be six, and you can say you can be six, but until you do it, it’s tough. Things have gotta go your way to be six. Shoot, it went my way.”

July 12, 2012

It was Martha’s day at the Calgary Stampede. The 12-year-old sorrel mare, owned by Lindsay Sears, is one of the most famous rodeo horses in North America. She’s been the main gunner for the Nanton cowgirl’s two world barrel racing championships, and has a world barrel horse of the year honor herself.

For Sears’ first two days at the Calgary Stampede, her other horse Moe got the call. But on Thursday, it was Martha’s turn and she made a good case for coming back, when they beat the tough field of barrel racers with a 17.62 second time.

“I just thought I’d ride Moe the first two days and save Martha for the top of the ground and the important runs when we need her,” explained Sears. “Martha’s been at home and feeling good, and staring at me as we drive out of the yard every day, giving me a dirty look.”

“We loaded her in the trailer today and she was a lot happier,” laughed Sears.

The set of barrel racers in Pool B includes world, Canadian and Calgary champions. Thursday’s go-round saw only eleven one hundredths of a second separating first and fifth place times.

“She worked good,” praised Sears. “She loves to run barrels, and that’s the great thing, but it’s also the thing that’s detrimental to her. She hurts herself because she tries so hard, so that’s why we have to save her for when we really need her. She has no ability to back off and to go slow. It’s great being back on her. You don’t ride her for a few days, and you really appreciate her.”

Moe has done his part, running hard for Sears over the last two weeks during the busy fourth of July run, when she won the most of any pro rodeo competitor, collecting $28,000 in those few key days.

Which horse will get the nod for the final day of Pool B? Sears says that will be a game-time decision. Sydni Blanchard placed third on Thursday, and she stays on top in the overall standings with earnings of $12,500. The $7000 Sears has earned puts her in a tie for fourth place. The top four money earnings after Friday advance directly to Sunday’s Stampede Showdown round.

Steer wrestler Mickey Gee took care of some business Thursday, by splitting the go-round with a run that only took four seconds flat to wrap up. Rowdy Hays was the other cowboy to accomplish the same feat. For Hays, it’s his first Stampede; for Gee, it will be his last.

“This is probably the last rodeo I’ll ever go to competing in the steer wrestling,” revealed the 1999 World Champion. “I’m retiring, and it’s an honor to be at this kind of rodeo for your last one, and ride that good horse.”

The horse he’s referring to is Jesse, the pride and joy of Calgary’s Lee Graves. Gee called him to book a seat aboard the speedy black gelding just a few days ago, when his previously booked mount came up sore. Gee credits Jesse for getting a piece of first this time around.

“I think I nailed the start pretty good today. The black horse can run so much. Man, when you get the start like that, he just licks ‘em up so fast. It was over then.”

“I was so excited, and so was my whole family, when I got to ride that horse. We’ve watched him lots, and he’s such a great horse.”

Gee admits he was feeling a little out of touch with everyone in rodeo when he and his family rolled into Cowtown this week, but it hasn’t taken long to get caught up.

“I haven’t been to but two rodeos this year. I hadn’t run a steer in three months. My father asked if I was going to practice, and I said ‘no way’. It would just sore me up, and practicing steer wrestling is sometimes like practicing for a knife fight – you just don’t do it!”

Gee contends there’s no second guessing his decision to leave the game, winning or not. He’s looking forward to family time and has been having the time of his life packing his eight-year-old daughter around to barrel races. But the Texan admits it would be awfully nice to go out on top at Calgary.

“The first time I came here was in 1999, and I won the $50,000 then. It would be neat to win it the first time you came, and the last time.”

Hays, meantime, picked up his second daily bronze of his first Stampede, and this time his father, Gerald, who’s better known as Hoover, was there to watch, along with his steer wrestling brother J.D. The cowboy from Rocky Mountain House is definitely ‘in the zone’ at Calgary.

“You got to have confidence every time you go in there, and I’ve got it right now, and it’s just ‘keep going’”, he grinned.

Hays’ success is causing quite a buzz in his home community and among his pals.

“The hockey player, Kris Russell, he texts me every day to see how I’m doing. He’s from my hometown, and we played hockey together when we were young. He’s coming down tomorrow to watch.”

The steer wrestling standings are tight, with the consistency of Cody Cassidy paying off and putting him on top with $11,000, which is $500 more than Hays has. Gee is sitting fourth with $7500.

There was also a tie at the top in the tie-down roping, when both Jake Hannum of Utah and Adam Gray of Texas wrapped things up in 7.9 seconds, netting them $5000 each. They’re now sitting second and third respectively in the total money race, behind leader Fred Whitfield, who has $11,500.

It was déjà vu for Will Lowe in the bareback riding, as his Midas touch in Calgary continues. He won the seventh round with an 84.5 point ride on Big Bend’s Cajun Queen, and doesn’t have to worry about Wildcard Saturday with his $15,500, which is a comfortable lead in his Pool.

There was a new name on top in the saddle bronc riding, when Jesse Bail of South Dakota laid claim to the $5500 first place cheque. He earned it by spurring to an 85 on Flying Five’s horse Blue Feather. The $10,000 he’s earned so far at the Stampede has him edging closer to the Wright brothers; Cody with $11,500 and Jesse, who also has $10,000.

This time it was L.J. Jenkins turn at first in the bull riding, when he made the whistle and 85.5 points on the Sawyer bull Rumble Seat. The $5500 was his first Calgary cash, and definitely what he needed to collect in a very tight money race for Pool B, led by Kody Lostroh, who has $10,000.

WHAT THE WINNERS ARE SAYING…

Bareback rider Will Lowe on whether he’s ‘bullet-proof’ at Calgary…

“No, but you can get on those hot rolls. When you’re hot, you’re hot, and when you’re not you’re not, I guess. That old song goes pretty good. You know, just ride it as long as you can, and give it everything you’ve got. Every time you nod your head, leave it out in the arena. But I’m dang sure not bullet-proof. Anything can happen. That’s what makes this sport so exciting, is so many unknowns.”

Tie-down roper Adam Gray, surprised his early time of 7.9 seconds held up to split first…

“Since it fell apart, I was glad I went first. Being first can be the greatest thing ever, or it can be the worst thing ever, just like being last. Guys backing in there knowing all they’ve got to be is 7.8, which is not a relatively fast time here to win first, and one little glitch here and there, and the next thing you know they’re 8, and they were too long.”

Tie-down roper Jake Hannum on his chances of being among the Pool B qualifiers with $9500 won…

“Last year I won exactly what I’ve got right now, and I didn’t get through. I was $500 short of making it through the Pool. I need to win something tomorrow and take care of business, to hopefully get through.”

Steer wrestler Cody Cassidy on leading the standings despite not winning a first place cheque yet…

“My game plan wasn’t to come in here and try and win first every day. It was to be consistent and make sure I place on the steers that they’ve given me. There’s one day that you need to win first, and that’s Sunday.”

Saddle bronc rider Jesse Bail on his 85 point ride on Blue Feather…

“Rod Hay and Dustin Flundra both told me he’d test you, and he really bucks. So I was tickled to have him. He was dropping out of there, and I just kept gassin’ it, and ended up staying in my saddle. It felt like he was really bucking.”

Bull rider L.J. Jenkins on winning first in go-round 7 and getting his first paycheque at Calgary…

“Right now in the bull riding, almost everybody’s got a cheque, so it’s pretty wide open, so to win today’s round and hopefully get a good one tomorrow, and get another cheque, it should advance us to Sunday. I’ve been here twice before. First year I came, I ended up second. I rode every bull I got on, and the second year I came, I bucked off every bull I got on. I love this rodeo. It’s the greatest rodeo that you can go to all year. So to come here and do good makes it even better.”

July 11, 2012

If there's one cowboy who knows how to win at the Calgary Stampede, it's Fred Whitfield.

Well actually, the Texan knows how to win pretty much anywhere. Last year, he became only the third cowboy in the world to have surpassed three million dollars in rodeo career earnings.

But Calgary is one of his favorite places to come play with a rope and a pen of fast calves. He's won the big bronze trophy and the bonus cheque twice when it was $50,000, and once when it was $100,000. And the 44-year-old kept his winning program on track again Wednesday, during the second performance for Pool B contestants at the Stampede. He took first in the go-round with a smooth, sizzling 6.7 second run.

"I really didn't want to gamble, but that calf was right there in front of me," said the eight-time World Champion. "I got a great start and that calf was right there, and I roped him, and turned him around, and tried not to make any mistakes."

Whitfield thrives on momentum, and his is building at Calgary. The $5500 from this performance, plus his second place cheque on his opening day means he's got $10,000 won already, which puts him on top in the standings.

"It's a long deal and we got a couple more head to run here. My biggest deal is to get into the Sunday and not have to go in the Wildcard Round, because there's a lot of pressure there. They only take two guys, so your chances of getting out of that deal are slim to none with all the guys that are already seeded there."

Whitfield has had some injury challenges, and is seriously contemplating wrapping up a stellar career. But not today.

"I'm thinking about slowing down. I'm going to be 45 years old in less than a month, and there's a lot of kids coming up that still rope. But as long as they invite me to this rodeo, I'm gonna come. With the short set-up and as good as the calves are, heck, who can't tie one in seven?"

The high-flying Wright brothers are making waves in the saddle bronc riding. Eldest of the seven brothers in a family of thirteen, Cody Wright claimed first Wednesday with an 86. That was just a point more than his younger brother Jesse, who came in second, with an 85 on Vold's Seven Thirty Seven. And it comes just a day after Jesse won the round, and Cody was third.

"I'm just tickled that he won yesterday, and I'm even more tickled that I could win today," smiled the 35-year-old, denying anything much in the way of sibling rivalry.

"It doesn't matter who you're really riding against, you want to win first. Somebody's got to beat you, so I'd just as soon it was him. We travel together, so it makes travel a lot nicer. We can drive a nicer outfit and eat better if we're both winning!"

But that's not the only Wright invasion. Cody's sons Stetson and Ryder were in the steer riding Tuesday, and Ryder is sitting in fourth spot with a 75. His oldest son, Rusty, rides in novice bronc riding Friday.

"They've been excited since we entered them," he chuckled. "Hats off to Calgary for it's support of the novice riders, because that's the future of the sport, the kids coming up, and they do a great job supporting them."

Cody Wright was relieved to get by the Kesler horse Breakaway this time around.

"You know, I was a little nervous about that horse. I had that horse at the NFR in Las Vegas last December, and he bucked me off. I told my oldest boy I had him, and that I owed (the horse) one. Now we're even," he laughed.

The Wrights are one and two in the saddle bronc standings, with Cody at $10,000 and Jesse's earnings at $9000.

Wednesday proved to be a good day for past Calgary champions. Cody Wright has taken the bronc riding honors twice, and in the bareback riding, three-time Calgary bareback winner, Will Lowe was on the money Wednesday, marking 87.5 on Kesler's Country Trail, for $5500. He's also the overall leader with $10,000 collected already.

And last year's barrel racing champion, Sydni Blanchard of New Mexico won the day in barrel racing with a time of 17.41 seconds, the fastest turned in so far at the Stampede. Blanchard set a Stampede record last year by winning all her go-rounds, plus the title. But she's riding a different horse this time, and she's only been on Clancy since the spring.

Steer wrestling was shared between Louisiana's Casey Martin, a first time Stampede participant, and Stockton Graves of Oklahoma. Both had 3.8 second runs, but after placing both days, Donalda's Cody Cassidy has the overall top spot with $8000.

Texan Caleb Sanderson is enjoying his first Stampede in the bull riding, especially after he won the go-round with an 88.5 on Vold's Big Valley Black, for a $5500 deposit in his rodeo account.

The two re-rides in the bull riding did change the money distribution to finish up round five, but Kody Lostroh was still the round winner. That's put him in front of the Pool B standings with $10,000.

INJURY UPDATE...

Canadian Pro Rodeo Sports Medicine says defending Calgary Stampede bareback champion Clint Cannon has a torn groin and is unlikely to ride again.

Bull rider Tyler Thomson has badly bruised soft tissue, but no broken ribs

WHAT THE WINNERS ARE SAYING...

Bull Rider Caleb Sanderson, who's a PBR rider, on his first Calgary Stampede...

"I like it. I like being outdoors, I like having a bunch of fans ,and getting on great bulls. That's the thing about these outdoor rodeos, you get to feel like you're a kid again. You get out of the lights, and get to have fun out here in the outdoors and sweat a little bit. Ever since I've been in the PBR's, you don't ride in outdoor arenas. I miss it, and I like it. I don't mind sweating. I'm from Florida. Y'all think it's hot up here. I think it's just right!"

Barrel racer Sydni Blanchard, 2011 champion, and now leading Pool B after winning Wednesday's go-round...

"You know it's the best feeling in the world to ever win at Calgary and be up on that stage, especially in this set. In my set, everybody is either a World champion, a Canadian champion or a previous Calgary champion. So it's super tough out there, and to have the horse that comes out on top is such a great feeling, and really exciting."

Bareback rider Will Lowe, who obviously enjoyed his victory lap, fanning his horse and out-running the flag girls...

"Yea, I always like making those victory laps. Heck, you know they can be few and far between sometimes, so I let that fun carry from the bucking horse ride into the rest of the arena. You know the energy from the crowd really pushes a guy to smile and have a good time."

Steer wrestler Stockton Graves, who split first in go-round 6 with a 3.8 second run, on not having to travel for a few days during the Stampede...

"It's great. We've been running all over down in the States. It's so nice to get up here and take a week. It's like a vacation. You get to come up here and run at big money, and you don't have to ever really get off the grounds if you don't want to, and Calgary treats us so well, it's always a blessing to get to come up here."

Tie-down roper Fred Whitfield on how fast the roping times could get this year...

"It's going to get considerably faster, I'm sure. You know Cory (Solomon), Shane Hanchey and that Hunter Herrin are as fast as there is. But you know, in the right situation, I still feel like I've got a chance to beat any of them."

July 10, 2012

Jake Vold made the most of his very first appearance in the open bareback riding at the Calgary Stampede. The Ponoka cowboy took advantage of a sunny day, a good horse, and his abundant talent to spur to an 86, and claim the first bronze available to Pool B contestants at this year's Calgary Stampede.

"I was an alternate last year, but then I broke my leg and it didn't really matter," explained the 25-year-old, who has battled some injury issues in his two year pro career. "So I was pretty excited to finally get here."

The horse he got to play with in the Stampede arena was a black one owned by Growney Brothers Rodeo Company from California, named Witch Doctor.

"She's been to the NFR (National Finals Rodeo) in the eliminator pen a couple of times, and I'd seen her on TV. You look at her and say 'man, is that a handful' and you're kind of excited to have her, but not really. There's other ones you'd like to get on, but I'm sure glad it worked out. I didn't really know what to expect because she has a different trip every time. At the end, I just closed my eyes and got after it," he chuckled.

Vold describes the horse's action as 'pretty bucky', pulling on his arm with plenty of power.

"The guys told me if you can stay with her, then the harder you spur the better she is, so that's all I tried to do. About six seconds in, my hand slipped in my rigging, and when that happens, you don't know when (the end) is coming. I was just happy to make the whistle. You can sit up and save yourself, but I was trying to go for first."

Vold was tearing up the world standings last winter, looking in good shape for an NFR qualification, when he suffered a bad break to his leg and ankle during a dismount at a rodeo in California, which required surgery.

"It's frustrating every time you get hurt. I was having a really good year when that happened. But I went home, and healed up and learned from it, and have just tried to come back stronger and stronger."

His comeback was marred by some broken ribs earlier this season, which forced a few weeks at home on the couch.

"They're good, but they acted up a little today," he admitted, after the medicine dosed out by Witch Doctor.

Vold did ride at Calgary as a novice competitor in the past, and finished second then. But he's pleased to have a $5,500 start to his Stampede drive for first as a pro.

"It's awesome. It's kind of what everybody wants to do, that's for sure. It's definitely a great feeling."

Another first time competitor, and Vold's Alberta neighbor, captured the steer wrestling top dollars for the opening round of Pool B. Rowdy Hays of Rocky Mountain House got his steer tipped over in 4.4 seconds, and he claimed the $5,500 first place payoff, getting his Stampede debut off to a great start.

Hays is from a rodeo family, with his father Gerald (Hoover) a Guy Weadick award winner, and his brother J.D., a Stampede qualifier last year.

"My brother ran that steer at Wainwright and did all right on him there, so I thought I had a pretty good one," noted Hays, also 25 years old.

"I made a call to him right away when I saw what steer I had, and he said to get a good start on him, and that's what I did," smiled Hays.

In tie-down roping, the new crew of loopers managed to keep the times in the low seven second range. Matt Shiozawa, from Idaho, was fast man at 6.9 seconds, to win the $5500. But Scandia, Alberta roper Al Bouchard managed to catch fourth spot, and $2500, despite only finding out at 11 pm the night before he was a last minute replacement in Pool B.

The biggest payday in saddle bronc riding went to Jesse Wright of Utah, for an 85.5 point ride on Calgary's Navajo Warrior. Barrel racing was tied at the top, when Idaho's Sue Smith and Tammy Fischer of Texas both got around the pattern in 17.59 seconds, which gave them $5,000 apiece. Bull riding results are unofficial yet, since there are two re-rides to be taken early in Wednesday's performance. But the mark they'll be shooting for is a high one. Colorado's Kody Lostroh made it to the whistle on the Vold bull Slash, which is a rare occurrence, and he was rewarded with an 88.5.

Utah's Briggs Madson has a half point edge in the lead of the steer riding standings, with a 77.5. Cole Jamieson of Innisfail is still the novice bareback leader with his 74.5, while Nanton's Clay Elliott remains on top in novice saddle bronc riding with his big score of 82.5.

WHAT THE WINNERS ARE SAYING...

Tie-down roper Matt Shiozawa, on winning the first round...

"For me, it's a relief to get started off on the right foot. This first one seems like it's the most important one for me - sets the whole tone of the week. The whole thing with this place, and I'm glad I watched yesterday, is the start is so fast here. You have to be so aggressive on that. Fortunately, for me, I was not only aggressive, but my horse was on the same page, so we didn't have any hiccups there."

Saddle bronc rider Jesse Wright, on his 82.5 point ride on Calgary's Navajo Warrior...

"That horse is notorious for raring out and coming down pretty hard, right there out of the chute. Today he kind of rared out and jumped up underneath himself, and got going, and I got with him pretty good. It just panned out in my favor, so I'm happy about it. That's the kind we want when you've got a format like this. You want to win, and you need horses that buck, and those are the ones I like getting on."

Barrel racer Sue Smith on tying for first in the opening round for Pool B...

"I'm pretty excited to come, and every year I come here I think, you know, it's just an honor and a privilege to be able to come here. It's a fun rodeo, and they treat you well, and I just like the atmosphere and all the stuff that's going on. Then to do well on top of it is just very, very exciting. My horse seems to like it here, and does well."

Barrel racer Tammy Fischer on being in the money with her horse Roundpen their first day in Calgary this year...

"It was fabulous. He's been kind of medium all summer. He loves it here and he shines here, so I love to come here. Once you get rolling, the momentum goes. It's not like you say 'oh, I've got to fix this and that for tomorrow'. You say 'I just want to do it again, same thing'."

Bull rider Kody Lostroh on riding the bull Slash and marking 88.5...

"The only thing I knew about Slash was that he was a pretty tough bull that doesn't get rode very often. They said he was really strong, and he lived up to the name, but I was fortunate enough to get by him. He was a handful. He gave me everything I could handle, and I just barely got him rode. It was a good match. I love coming to this rodeo. It's my favorite rodeo in the world."

July 9, 2012

When you get on a roll in rodeo, the best place to be in the world is at the Calgary Stampede. Momentum can be a powerful force in any sport, and that was evident Monday afternoon in

Round Four action. All of the go-round bronze trophies went to previous winners this week, with the exception of steer wrestling.

Trevor Knowles had been so close all week, he could taste it. So it was satisfying that it was finally 'his turn' to get it done. On opening day, the Oregon steer wrestler was in the crying hole, while he tied for second place in both the second and third rounds. Finally, Monday, he came in first, and all on his own, with a 4.3 second run. His total earnings for the Stampede so far sit at $13,500 now, and he's punched a ticket directly back for Showdown Sunday.

"I couldn't let these guys hog it all," laughed the lanky, 6'4" cowboy. He was referring to Jason Miller and Luke Branquinho. The trio of cowboys snagged the lion's share of the available steer wrestling money, and they all used Jesse, the two-time world champion black horse owned by Lee Graves.

The crew Knowles has been matched with all week can pretty much make any steer they draw out of the pen work, but he called his fast, and fairly user-friendly.

"Yea, he was a good chance of a steer," said Knowles. "I thought there might be some a little better, some a little worse, but that steer, he really ran the first time. He ran hard today, but we got a good start, and it worked out for us."

Knowles will head out now for rodeos in Colorado Springs and Sheridan, Wyoming before returning for the weekend.

Branquinho finished on top in the Pool A race, with $17,500 in winnings. Shawn Greenfield of Oregon joins Miller and Knowles in earning qualifying spots. Miller won $13,000, and Greenfield $8,500.

Meantime, it's been a bonus week for Graves, thanks to his speedy steed. While not competing yet because of his recent bout with appendicitis, the two-time World Champion is well enough to haze for the cowboys riding Jesse.

"I'm so happy to be out of the hospital, and have a chance to win some money and watch these guys," beamed Graves. "It's fun."

It's also profitable, when he's in line for a share of the $44,000 already won on board his horse. And Mickey Gee has already booked Jesse's use for Pool B.

Bareback rider Bobby Mote announced his intention in the opening round to give away his first Stampede bronze trophy to Greg Kesler, the owner of the horse that helped him win it, Alley Ways. But in the scorching heat Monday afternoon, he won another bronze, and he intends to keep this one. The four-time World Champion from Culver, Oregon was 90 points on Northcott's My Mistake, to bump his Stampede bank account up to $13,500, second best overall. Kaycee Field won the most money at $18,000, but Steven Dent, with $12,250; and Jessy Davis, with $6,250, also advance to Sunday from Pool A.

In the saddle bronc riding, Chet Johnson wrapped up an amazing week by having the high marked ride for the third straight day. However, this time the Wyoming contender had to share the honors, and the payoff, with Rusty Allen of Utah. Johnson was 84.5 on Calgary's Knife Money, while Allen rode Calgary's Sergeant Whitney to the same score.

"I definitely needed to place today," commented Allen. "I was one out of being qualified for Sunday, so I needed to win a pretty good cheque today. I'm just grateful that I drew the kind of horse I did, that it worked out this way."

In the Pool A bronc riding standings, Johnson grabbed $16,000, with Allen finishing second with $11,500. Two Canadians paved their way through to Sunday. Rylan Geiger, who grew up in Saskatchewan, and Jim Berry, of Rocky Mountain House, also made the top four. Geiger had $9,500, while Berry earned $8,000.

Another Saskatchewan cowboy, Aaron Roy, made it two days in a row as the bull riding winner. This time he was 86.5 on Northern Lights to claim first, and push his Stampede payday to $13,500. But Oklahoma's Austin Meier bettered that, by placing in every single performance, and picking up $14,000, along with his Sunday qualification. Canadian champion bull rider Chad Besplug has earned his way to the Showdown with $11,250, while a world champion, Wesley Silcox of Utah, makes it back with $9,500.

Ryan Jarrett went to the stage for his second bronze from the tie-down roping event on Monday. This time he was 6.7 seconds, to win first, but Cory Solomon was only two-tenths behind that. He placed every day, and his winnings for the first part of the Stampede total $14,250, which was best of the ropers. Jarrett was second at $13,500, followed by Shane Hanchey at $12,500 and Hunter Herrin at $10,000. Those four have notched themselves the coveted spot in Showdown Sunday.

After tying for first Sunday, Molly Powell and her new horse Missy came back and won Monday's round of barrel racing outright, with a 17.82 second run. She ran away with first overall, collecting a whopping $18,500 in four days. South Dakota's Lisa Lockhart will join her on Showdown Sunday, finishing with $14,000 for her Pool A efforts, followed by Lee Ann Rust at $10,500, and Britany Fleck of North Dakota with $8500.

A whole new set of competitors get to work Tuesday in Pool B, and they'll be working to earn a spot right through to Sunday. All those who don't make the top four in either pool have one last chance to be there on the final day of the Stampede, in Wild Card Saturday.

WHAT THE WINNERS ARE SAYING...

Tie-down roper Ryan Jarrett on being among the top four qualifiers from Pool A...

"It's a relief, for sure, to not have to rope on the Saturday. There's a lot of money up for grabs on Wildcard Saturday that we don't get to compete at, but it's always a good feeling to have it already made to Sunday. Just more pressure put on you now, to be top four there."

Bareback rider Bobby Mote on his 90 point ride on My Mistake...

"When I got the draw, I thought I'd need to really make stuff happen on this horse, so that I can win some kind of a cheque and get into Sunday, and have a chance to keep going. She turned out and jumped, shoot, four or five feet in the air quite a few times in a row. It was just awesome. That's the best horse I've been on for quite a while. It was fun."

Saddle bronc rider Chet Johnson, on collecting his third Stampede go-round bronze...

"I can't complain. It's been a dream come true. Just to win one is what we're all shooting for, but to get three is pretty nuts, so I just thank God it's working out how it is."

Barrel racer Molly Powell on the outstanding performance of her horse Missy, purchased by Powell just two weeks ago...

"I think she's really good footed. She has small feet, which, if you think about for tires, you want smaller tires, rather than wide tires; and she's a really smart mare. She knows everything that's going on."

Bull rider Aaron Roy on his 86.5 point ride on Northern Lights...

"It was hard. I nodded my head, and I underestimated him. It was all power on the outside, and I was throwing every move possible just to stay in the middle of him."

July 8, 2012

It was a rodeo Sunday to remember at the Calgary Stampede, with sunshine, a packed grandstand and outstanding performances.

It's a day Texans Molly Powell and Lee Ann Rust will circle on their calendars. They turned in matching times of 17.92 seconds in the barrel racing, and split $5,000 each.

For Powell, who was born in Canada, it was an emotional victory.

"It's been a roller coaster year, I guess you could say," Powell acknowledged, moments after her run, struggling to keep her tears in check.

It's the first time the 36-year-old cowgirl has been at the Stampede without her Mom. Julie Swanson lost a long battle with cancer in January. Both she and Powell's father, Chuck Swanson, had won the Calgary Stampede in the past. Powell herself claimed the barrel racing title in 2005. So naturally, Molly was missing her mother at a special moment like this.

"She was with me the whole 25 years I've been here, but my Dad came with me this year, and I still have him here, and hopefully, Mom's here too," she confessed, glancing upwards.

The Sunday paycheque puts Powell in front of the Pool A standings with $13,000 and guarantees her spot in Showdown Sunday.

"That was my goal for the last six months, really, was just to be there at Calgary and have a chance to win. Sunday is kind of anyone's game, it's really tough, but I'm just glad to be here."

Powell's horse Missy has been one of the most consistent, placing every day so far, but they haven't had long to get to know each other.

"I bought her just a couple weeks ago. I knew she was a great horse, and I'm just really excited."

Rust was savoring every moment of her Stampede winning run, and in the victory lap that followed she played to the crowd, celebrating with her cheering fans by pretending she was six-shooting her guns. The colorful cowgirl gained fame last year by winning world rookie honors, at the tender age of 53. She's become an inspirational symbol for a generation, and for what women can do. She's second in the Canadian rodeo standings for the season.

Rust placed in the first two runs, but this was her best finish, despite a wide run home with Harley.

"Oh man, it was cool," she drawled, enthusiastically. "It got a little wild coming off that third barrel. I'm like 'dude we need to go left of the second barrel coming home, but keep running', and he did, we did, and I mean, it worked!"

"Number one, I was thrilled to have an opportunity to even come to Calgary. I am a rookie to Calgary. People running around here 20 or 30 years old, they got all the time in the world. Baby, I'm 54. This may or may not be my last time, and I'm going to enjoy every moment of it while I'm here. If you only get to jump in once, you might as well make a splash," she laughed.

Rust now has $10,500 and she's in good shape for a Sunday Showdown qualifying spot as well.

Meanwhile, the pre-Stampede predictions about the speed of the tie-down roping played out Sunday afternoon, where 7.2 seconds was the slowest time getting a sniff of the cash.

Louisiana's Shane Hanchey was pumping his hat to the crowd when he finished up in 6.5 seconds, but then his travelling partner Hunter Herrin came out and bettered that, with a smooth 6.4 second performance, just a tenth off the arena record at the Stampede.

Herrin pointed out when Clif Cooper started the round with a 7.2 second run, the ropers knew it was going to be a lightning fast day.

"We knew that this pen of calves was set up to be really fast," stated the Oklahoman. "Today we gave the fans something good to watch."

So now the question becomes... how fast can they go?

"I tell you what, I thought I went about as fast as I could possible go today. I've tied quite a few in six lately, but that's the fastest I've ever been. I think I'm about maxxed out there," he chuckled.

"You know, you could do a couple things different, but we're just going to keep going as fast as we can, because we're all going to try and keep winning $5500 a day. Hopefully, it will keep working out where we can keep getting a cheque."

Herrin now has $10,000 in earnings, which is on top in Pool A after three rounds.

Wyoming saddle bronc rider Chet Johnson is on fire, winning the go-round for the second straight day. He was 87.5 points on Calgary Stampede's Peigan Warrior, and leads the Pool A standings now with $11,000 won.

Canada's top PBR rider showed his winning style Sunday. With an 89 point ride on Big Stone's Pop Evil, Aaron Roy collected the biggest cheque of the day, and bumped his earnings to $8,000. However, a second place finish Sunday for Austin Meier means he's the overall leader with a whopping $14,000 earned.

First place in bareback riding went to Kaycee Field, for an 88 on the Calgary Stampede horse Muffled Cries. He's also the man on top in the pool, with $13,500.

Californian Luke Branquinho claimed the steer wrestling bronze for go-round number three, after wrestling his steer to the ground in 3.9 seconds. He's now up to $14,000 in the win column, which is best of all. For the second day in a row, the top three steer wrestling cheques were won on-board the horse owned by Calgary's Lee Graves, named Jesse.

The novice saddle bronc leader is still Nanton's Clay Elliott, with an 82.5, while Cole Jamieson of Innisfail is the top novice bareback rider with his 74.5.

WHAT THE WINNERS ARE SAYING...

Kaycee Field on winning the bareback round with an 88 on Muffled Cries...

"All of us bareback riders say about the second or third jump, everything isn't a blur and it slows down, and you can see what's going on. At about three seconds today, I was hearing the crowd get louder and louder and louder, and I just got more and more excited, and my legs got faster, and my upper body got better, and I'm just so happy the way it turned out. That horse is just awesome, and I'd like to thank the Calgary Stampede for bringing the calibre of horses they can bring here, and it just makes it that much more fun for us cowboys."

Chet Johnson on winning the saddle bronc riding two days in a row...

"It's been a great two days, and I drew two amazing horses, and my hat's off to them, and to the Calgary Stampede for bringing these horses. It gives us a chance, and that's why we love coming here so much."

Bull rider Aaron Roy on his 89 point ride on Pop Evil...

"It's an outstanding feeling to be able to get on a bull that bucks that hard and hangs that high in the air is like you're sitting on a cloud up there when he's bucking. As soon as I'd seen the draw, I was probably the most excited guy in Calgary."

Shane Hanchey, on finishing 2nd in the tie-down roping, with a 6.5 second run!

"I thought there was a chance I could be beaten, and I dang sure wasn't surprised when I saw Hunter was 6.4. We've been battling since January together, rodeoing together and feeding off each other. If I'm 6.5, he's gonna try and be 6.4, there ain't no doubt about it. That's just the way we work, that's how competitive we are. I wasn't surprised at all when he was 6.4. I couldn't believe it, but I wasn't surprised."

Luke Branquinho on sewing up a spot for Sunday's Showdown round early....

"Being able to get all the way through to next Sunday is a relief. I've been in the Wild Card for the last three years, and just haven't had much luck. Nobody's fault but my own, just not making good runs, or not making good starts. I came with a totally different attitude here. Just run one steer at a time, and what happens, happens and it's worked out well so far."

Chet Johnson on the big crowds watching Stampede Rodeo...

"This is about my ninth or tenth year coming here, and I've never seen a crowd like this. They've always been really good, but to have the tarmac filled this year, before Showdown Sunday, it's amazing. It's great to be here for the hundredth and it's an honor to be part of this tradition."

July 7, 2012

It took Chad Besplug a little longer than eight seconds to finish his bull ride, but it was worth the extra effort.

The Alberta bull rider nodded his head in the chute Saturday afternoon for a Big Stone bull by the name of Kish This. But the first time the bull left the gate, he smashed into the front of the chute and fouled himself, so judges awarded the Canadian Champion a re-ride. And Besplug asked for the opportunity to ride the same bull again.

"Usually a re-ride is because the bull didn't perform well," explains Besplug. "Even if you do want the same bull, it's up to the contractor if he wants to buck the animal again. I just asked right away if I could, and (owner) Bruce Sunstrum said 'yeah' right away. It worked out great."

"I had a feeling with that one I'd have a good chance," he stated.

Besplug's gut feeling was right on the money. The wiry grey brindle came out and spun in both directions, with a high-speed gear. Besplug was right in the center where he wanted to be when the whistle sounded. The judges handed out 86 points, a half point more than the marks both Tyler Pankewitz and Austin Meier had notched moments earlier. Besplug's bull chased him and the bullfighters up on the chutes as it exited the arena, and that gave the Claresholm rider a perfect perch to raise his fists in celebration, to the roaring crowd's delight.

"I'm not really known for showing off," he admitted sheepishly. "I just got pretty excited. I'm a little embarrassed now, but that's all right."

Besplug earned the first place paycheque of $5,500 and the commemorative bronze, a first for his trophy collection.

"I've finished second in a bunch of rounds here, but I've never won one, so I was pretty pumped about it."

Oklahoma's Austin Meier moves to the front in the overall bull riding standings, with $9,500.

The pace was rapid in the steer wrestling, where Jason Miller was best of the second round in just 3.3 seconds. The Wyoming cowboy was using Jesse, the fast black horse owned by two-time world champion, Lee Graves of Calgary.

"I had a good steer," confirmed Miller. "I knew that steer was going to be a good chance. The only tricky part was to not break the barrier, but a guy doesn't want to miss the barrier."

Graves was hazing for Miller and he had a few words of advice for his buddy before he made the run.

"I said "Cowboy, don't back off the barrier. You got it all day long,'" confirmed Graves, who's out of action, recovering from stem cell ankle surgery.

"You've got to instill confidence", he added. "That's my job."

Three of the Pool A steer wrestlers are using Jesse, and they swept the top three paying positions of the day.

Miller says the horse, who has twice been named world champion, has a lot to do with that.

"I can't say enough about Jesse. I know a lot of guys have been kind of down and out, and I've been one of them. Lee's had some injuries and we haven't seen Jesse since the NFR, so it's nice to have him here and be able to ride him. That horse is in a league of his own."

After getting a piece of second place two days in a row, Luke Branquinho is the steer wrestling leader, with $8,500 earned.

It was also a fast round of tie-down roping, but the spoils went to a world All-Around champion Ryan Jarrett. His 7.1 second run meant a $5,500 deposit for his rodeo account. Texan Cory Solomon leads overall with $9,000 in earnings.

Jessy Davis, who now makes his home in Power, Montana had the best bareback ride of the day, spurring to an 86.5 on Big Stone's Gold Dust, for $5,500. Kaycee Field of Utah leads the Pool A standings with $8,000.

The trademark grin worn 24-7 by Wyoming's Chet Johnson was a little wider than usual Saturday afternoon, after he won the round of saddle bronc riding with an 86 on Northcott's Charlie Horse, to pick up $5,500. It's Chad Ferley on top overall, with $7,000.

The speediest turn around the barrel racing pattern was turned in by North Dakota's Britany Fleck, at 17.57 seconds, giving her the day's top money of $5,500, but Molly Powell has the edge in the money column, having already collected $8,000.

The novice events have attracted large entries at this year's Centennial Stampede. The high mark of the novice bareback riding Saturday was a 74.5 from Innisfail's Cole Jamieson, while Lane Watt was 76.5 in the novice saddle bronc riding.

WHAT THE WINNERS ARE SAYING.

Go-Round #2 Tie-Down Roping Winner Ryan Jarrett, on his 7.1 second run...

"I caught him with my second swing. There was already a couple of fast times, and I needed to get against the barrier, and let it go fast, and see where it came out."

Go-Round #2 Bareback Winner Jessy Davis, on making the victory lap of the arena, after his 86.5 point ride on Gold Dust...

"That's pretty good. I've always wanted to win a round here. I've been here three times, back in '07 and '08, and I've always wanted to win a round, and I finally got to do it. That horse tries her heart out every time."

Go-Round #2 Saddle Bronc Winner Chet Johnson, on his 86 point ride on Charlie Horse...

"He was a ton of fun. It's what we want. I'd love to get on him again. Those are the kind you can feel yourself making a little mistake here and there, so you kind of want to get on him again, and see if you even better yourself yet. He's just that much fun. This has always been the turning point in my season, is the Calgary Stampede."

July 6, 2012

When Chad Ferley left the Calgary Stampede last July, he took the title of Champion with him. In his first day of action this year, he made a good start towards hanging on to the honor.

The South Dakota saddle bronc rider picked up the first place cheque of $5500 in Round One Friday, after making an 83 point ride on Calgary’s horse named Trail Dust.

“Not the prettiest one, but I stayed on,” acknowledged the 2006 World Champion, about his Friday afternoon ride.

In a pen of hard-to-ride horses, Ferley wasn’t sure what to expect of his draw.

“I saw him the other day at Ponoka, and I didn’t really know what to think of him. But I knew if I got him rode, I’d probably have a chance at a good cheque.”

“I was just trying to lift hard on my rein, and do my own business.”

Ferley looked after his business, surviving the test of the tricky first four jumps from the athletic horse, and settling into a solid spur ride.

The 32-year-old cowboy sees himself as being on the right track at the 2012 Stampede already.

“It helped me a lot last year. I started out last year with a win in the round, and finished out winning the whole deal. So if I can repeat the same thing over, I’ll be a happy camper,” grinned Ferley.

Second place in the saddle bronc riding was shared between South Dakota’s, Chuck Schmidt and Jim Berry of Rocky Mountain House, AB, who both had 79 makrs and won $4000 apiece.

Meanwhile Bobby Mote was tickled, and relieved, to win the opening round in his bareback riding event. He was 86 points on Kesler’s veteran superstar Alley Ways. It was exactly what the four-time World Bareback Champion needed during the busiest time in the rodeo season.

“I haven’t been on very many good horses lately,” admitted Mote. “This week has been frustrating because I got on 12 head this week, and two of them were decent.”

“This horse here was obviously really good, but I knew he was going to be good.”

At 36, Mote is one of the ‘more experienced’ of the bareback riders taking part in this year’s Stampede. At 27, Alley Ways is practically a senior citizen in the bucking horse world.

“That’s probably the tenth time I’ve had him, and that horse is a winner,” praised Mote. “Every time I’ve made a good ride on him, I’ve won. In 2002 I had him at the NFR (National Finals Rodeo), had to win the tenth round to win the world, and had him, and it was a fight, but I ended up winning. I have a lot of history with him, so it’s pretty cool.”

“The horse probably weighs 1100 pounds, and he’s in the best shape he’s ever been in his life. I’ve had him in two feet of mud, I’ve had him in all kinds of conditions. That horse has got a huge heart.”

Each day’s event winners are presented with a bronze, a smaller version of “The Bronc Twister” on Stampede Park. They’re real treasures for the cowboys, but Mote already had a plan for his.

“I’m going to give mine to (owner) Greg Kesler, for that horse. He’s one of my favorite horses ever.”

Kaycee Field of Utah finished in second spot in Friday’s bareback riding with an 81.5 on Calgary’s Loadstone Jade.

The bull riders had a pen of fun, spinners to play with and there were plenty of high marks. Best of the bunch was an 88 from top ten PBR rider Austin Meier of Oklahoma, who rode the Kesler bull Grand Slam, for a $5500 payday. North Carolina’s J.B. Mauney was only a half point behind, at 87.5 on Northcott’s Cloud Nine, to earn $4500. It’s Mauney’s first time back riding with his regular hand, broken recently and requiring surgery to repair. In the meantime, the talented and determined cowboy had been using his right hand to keep competing on the PBR circuit.

Texan Cory Solomon was one of only three tie-down ropers to catch a calf Friday, taking first place, and $5500, with a 7.7 second run. Oklahoma’s Hunter Herrin was close behind, roping in 7.9 seconds, to catch second place money of $4500.

The top steer wrestling payout went to Nebraska’s Dean Gorsuch, who got his day at the office wrapped up in just 3.8 seconds, for $5500. The two-time World Champion was happy to see his new horse working well, after losing his former great steer wrestling horse last year. California’s Luke Branquinho was just a tick behind him, at 3.9 seconds, for $4500.

Guy has won at Calgary before, and Joleen Seitz knows he loves the Stampede arena. It showed, when the two won $5500, and the first day of barrel racing, in 17.77 seconds. Texan Molly Powell came in second with a time of 17.91 seconds, for $4500, and they were the only two under the eighteen second mark.

Round two for Pool A competitors goes tomorrow at 1:30 pm.