Albertans buck to novice Stampede titles

Bruisedhead is congratulated by a Stampede princess.

"I just thought, don't stop -- keep going, keep going, keep going," he added, smiling. 

Bruisedhead, who was second overall heading into Saturday's final, comes from a long line of cowboys who have competed at the Stampede. His great grandfather rode broncs, his grandfather was a chuckwagon driver, and both his uncles rode here in the 1980s.

"My family's been coming here for years. I'm just happy to be here and follow in their footsteps," he said.

Wyatt Thurston of Big Valley, Alta., won the novice saddle bronc title. Thurston, 19, was the leader heading into Saturday and solidified his position with an impressive final ride aboard Nother Whiskey.

Thurston poses with his championship bronze.

"This is just amazing," he said. "It's such an awesome deal to get to come here. You get the best cowboys in the world, yet they let us come here and compete in front of 25,000 people. It's unbelievable." 

Thurston, who won a total $1,131 in prize money, is the son of Rick Thurston, who also competed at the Stampede.

Thurston is off to Teepee Creek for another rodeo on Saturday. He has another year of novice riding ahead of him, while Bruisedhead plans to join the pro circuit.

All three Stampede champions crowned so far at the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth live in Alberta.

The grand rodeo finale takes place on Sunday when the major events -- tie-down roping, bareback, steer wrestling, saddle bronc, barrel racing and bull riding -- will be contested, with $100,000 purses on the line.

Bruisedhead hangs on.  

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