Recently posted by Kristina Rutherford

Chuckwagon driver Kelly Sutherland has done it again.

The veteran driver of Grande Prairie, Alta., won a record-setting 11th career Calgary Stampede Rangeland Derby title on Sunday, the most titles won by a driver in the event's history.

The richest hour in rodeo saw five cowboys and one cowgirl take home $100,000 prizes and the title of Calgary Stampede champion.

Here are some highlights of a thrilling showdown Sunday.

The rodeo crowd has been loud all 10 days of the Calgary Stampede, but never did it explode like it did Sunday afternoon for Lee Graves.

The Calgary-born steer wrestler brought the capacity crowd to its feet when he took down his steer in a blazing 3.8 seconds to win the $100,000 prize at the world's richest rodeo.

Five Canadian cowboys and two Canadian cowgirls -- all from Alberta -- have a shot at $100,000 and a Calgary Stampede title.

Advancing to the final four in their events at the rodeo showdown are Steve Lloyd of Alix in tie-down roping, Calgary's Lee Graves in steer wrestling, Jim Berry of Rocky Mountain House in saddle bronc, Scott Schiffner of Strathmore in bull riding, and Rana Koopmans of Lethbridge and Lindsay Sears of Nanton in ladies barrel racing.  

The world's richest rodeo is ready to give out the big bucks.

Cowboys and cowgirls compete Sunday for $100,000 prizes in the grand finale of the Calgary Stampede.

Check back for results and stories as we get set for the final in tie-down roping, steer wrestling, saddle bronc, barrel racing and bull riding.

You hear a lot of rumours and see a lot of questionable outfits at the Calgary Stampede.

Canadian bull rider Aaron Roy agreed to sit down and talk about the many rumours floating around, the buckle bunnies -- yes, the cowboy equivalent to hockey's puck bunnies -- and more.  

Right around this time last year, bull rider Aaron Roy was making one of the most difficult drives home ever.

The Yellowgrass, Sask., native had finished within a hair of earning a shot at competing for the grand $100,000 prize at his first Calgary Stampede. Instead of riding bulls on Sunday, he was driving home disappointed.  

There was no wiping the smile off Cam Bruisedhead's face Saturday.

The 21-year-old of Stand Off, Alta., became the third cowboy crowned a champion at the Calgary Stampede, winning the novice bareback title.

"It's unspeakable -- but it's way better than graduating," Bruisedhead said, laughing. "I was going to try to win, I just didn't think I was going to be so good."

Where will you find the most deep fried food on a stick? My bet's on the Calgary Stampede.

This photo gallery might make you hungry, or sick. 

It's wildcard Saturday at the Calgary Stampede. And in the evening, it's semifinal Saturday for the chuckwagons. 

Day 9 of the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth will see cowboys and cowgirls battling it out in the rodeo for the final two spots up for grabs in Sunday's final and a shot at the grand $100,000 prize.

What do you get when you combine three young cowboys and one wild pony? A fan favourite.

At the end of each rodeo day at the Calgary Stampede, the always entertaining wild pony race sees a team of kids between the ages of 8-12 try to tame a pony long enough for one of them to jump aboard. And the pony almost always wins.

The 2010 Calgary Stampede has crowned its first champion. 

Dayton Johnston of Milk River, Alta., won junior steer riding, the event open to 10-14 year olds that serves as training for future bull riders. 

"This means quite a bit," a smiling Johnston, 14, said after the award presentation Friday. "Lots of good cowboys have come through the Stampede, and hopefully I can come through it too."

It's Day 7 of the Calgary Stampede, and we're less than an hour away from crowning the first rodeo champion.

Junior Steer Riding wraps up today, with the top six riders going head-to-head at the Grandstand in the event that serves as training for future bull riders.

On Thursday, 112,177 people were admitted to the Calgary Stampede grounds. That brings the number of people who have attended the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth to a whopping 766,670 over the course of seven days.

This, of course, raises the question: does anybody actually work during the Calgary Stampede?

About 15 years ago, Flint Rasmussen made what has to be one of the most unheard of career changes in history.

A high school math and history teacher, the Montana native and father of two left his job to dress up like a clown, put on a variety show and jump into a barrel to escape charging bulls.

A horn blares and then it's off to the races for the chuckwagons.

There's a loud rumble as hoofs pound the ground and the wagons rip around the barrels before setting off around the track for the finish. 

It's a sunny day in Calgary -- how unusual. 

After solid rain all day Tuesday that forced the cancellation of the chuckwagon races for the first time in more than eight decades, the grounds crew was up all night working on the track and preparing it for Day 6 action.

The track will be good to go this evening for the chuckwagon races, according to the crew.

Hours away from competing in the saddle bronc competition, Sam Kelts walks over and takes a seat. "I hear you want to talk about injuries," the 26-year-old says, smiling.  

"I've broken my leg, my wrist, my tailbone, my upper arm, had three shoulder surgeries, dislocated my shoulder four times -- oh yeah, pretty much everything," Kelts says.

"I've probably had a few more injuries than quite a few guys, but everybody's had something. It comes with the territory."

For the first time in 85 years, the Calgary Stampede cancelled a Rangeland Derby chuckwagon race.

Organizers were forced to scrub the event Tuesday night due to incessant pouring rain and high winds, raising concerns with the safety of the horses and competitors.

It is a quiet scene around the chuckwagon barnyards at the Calgary Stampede.

There is no talk of it between barns, but the loss of a horse put down after suffering an injury during Monday night's race is hanging in the air.

"It's sad, and everybody's pretty quiet around here today," said driver Troy Dorchester, of Westerose, Alta. "It should just be left alone. It's difficult, and everybody's been talking about it -- it's all over the news.

It was a beautiful morning, but by the time the rodeo started just after 1 pm, it was hail storms, heavy rain and lightning. Welcome to Calgary.

The bad weather didn't stop the rodeo, though.

After a 15 minute delay, the cowboys and cowgirls were out there competing. And, typical of the weather here, the sun was out again just in time for the bull riders. 

Every year, Mark Sutherland is sold at the equivalent of a cow auction. In April, tourism website VisitCalgary.com bought him for a whopping $75,000.
 
"You stand up there, and a guy who actually sells cows goes, 'Who will pay $50,000 for Mark Sutherland? He's got personality,'" says the De Winton, Alta., resident, smiling. "You stand there like a piece of meat, wearing your fanciest blazer and smile. It's demeaning."

And it's all part of chuckwagon racing.

Jump though a giant horseshoe, run through a puddle while carrying a basket of eggs, walk backwards through a small laneway, drag a stuffed cow on a sled, walk on a moving ramp -- and do it all on a horse moving at top speed.

This is all part of the Cowboy Up Challenge, an equestrian mixed with cowboy event that made its Canadian debut at the Calgary Stampede.

"Look at this shirt - what is this? You need some work."

That was Brian, manager at Lemmle's Western Wear, tearing apart my outfit earlier today.

I arrived in Lemmle's -- wearing, I might add, what I thought was a pretty Western outfit -- at the urging of Nashville North stage manager, Dwight Kawalik.

"She's from Toronto, and this is her first Stampede," Dwight told his long-time friend, Brian. "She needs help."

Even the manager was shaking her head at the lineup to get into Nashville North on Saturday night.

Starting at around 6 pm the wait was longer than four hours -- in the pouring rain.

"They were standing out there, having a great time, and I'm like, 'Are you crazy?'" Tracy Sullivan said. "But they all say the line's half the fun, it's a party. And they really want to get in here."

It's Day 2 of the rodeo, and Jesse Byrne emerges from a room called the 'Clown change room.' He's sporting purple cowboy boots, a cowboy hat, and a giant smile.

An hour later, Byrne goes toe-to-toe with 10 bucking bulls at the Calgary Stampede. 

The 24-year-old is no clown. He's a bull fighter. 

The rain is falling, but it's not dampening the full house at the Rodeo on Day 2 of the Calgary Stampede.

The day opened with fireworks, a loud sing along to Oh Canada and an opening ceremony to introduce the cowboys and cowgirls competing today.

There's a standard reaction when Tyler Thomson explains his profession.

"First reaction is 'Are you crazy?'" the Black Diamond, Alta., resident says, grinning.

About an hour earlier he'd been bucked off a bull appropriately named Town Tough, who weighs in at a solid 1,800 pounds.

Some people chain their chairs to posts on the streets to ensure front-row seats at the Calgary Stampede parade. Others show up at the crack of dawn and hope they beat out the other die-hards.

And then there are the overnight campers.  

If you weren't among the thousands gathered on Calgary's streets today for the Stampede Parade and you missed CBC's live coverage of the event, don't despair. We've got you covered.  

The Calgary Stampede is a day away. Here's a look at the grounds, the people and the action on the eve of the big show.

This, according to the Calgary Stampede veterans -- a group of carefully selected cowboys, cowgirls, midway workers and others chosen to weigh in based on their Western dress -- is a list of the Top 10 must hit activities at the Calgary Stampede.