Calgary Stampede

Raves for Graves

2010-07-19T05:03:40Z

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.

Sutherland wins record 11th dash for cash

2010-07-19T02:17:12Z

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.

]]> A ten-time world champion known as 'The King', Sutherland drew barrel No. 1 and took advantage of a quick start to blaze past the finish line in 1 minute, 14.55 seconds.

He takes home the grand $100,000 prize, the richest purse in the chuckwagon world.

"I never ever thought I'd ever win No. 11," Sutherland said. "My outriders are, you know, unbelievable...the sport has been so good to me."

Watch the finishing stretch:

"I knew everybody was going for the gusto there, there was all four of [the wagons] across the track," Sutherland said of the start.

He widened his lead over the competitors after the third turn and said he knew he had it.

"I could just feel the surge of power and I knew then from the top of the lane they were going to try to run me down but they'd never catch me."

Standing by was his son Mark, who competed in the eighth heat.

"To my best friend and travelling partner and the only reason I'm still running, my son Mark," Sutherland said. "Calgary, this race track is simply the best. You should be so proud as Albertans. I just love it here man, it's unbelievable."

Sutherland did a fist pump and gave a thumbs up to the crowd before he was presented with his giant cheque and championship bronze.

The older Sutherland, who was competing in his 19th Stampede on Sunday, beat out his younger brother Kirk, who placed fourth.

Alberta's Neal Waldenbach was second, and Jason Glass of High River, Alta., placed third.

Showdown Sunday: In photos

2010-07-19T00:50:24Z

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.

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CBC's Kristina Barnes interviews Texas cowboy Will Lowe, who won the bareback title.

Meet Kin Deadly.

Alberta's Dusty LaValley rides Muffled Cries in the final.

Calgary's Lee Graves takes down his steer in 3.8 seconds to clinch the $100,000 prize.

Bareback riders prepare to draw their horses for the final four competition.

Wade Sundell, front, won the saddle bronc.

Chuckwagon driver Jason Glass of High River, Alta., won the Guy Weadick award for dedication to the sport.

Cowboys and cowgirls tip their hats to the crowd during the opening ceremony.

Bull riders Beau Hill and Scott Schiffner, of Strathmore, Alta.

Canada's Jim Berry rides Knife Money in the saddle bronc final.

Luke Creasy hangs on as Cool Pieces bucks in the bareback final.

Tie-down roping champion Matt Shiozawa of Idaho and his giant cheque.

There wasn't an empty seat in the house.

Alberta's Lindsay Sears tears out of the gate en route to a second place finish in barrel racing.

Country music recording artist Gord Bamford leaves the stage after singing the anthem.

Bull rider Scott Schiffner of Strathmore tied for 3rd in bull riding.

A Stampede queen rips by.

Tyler Thomson rides Dusk Till Dawn in the bull riding final.

Texas cowboy Will Lowe is escorted on stage.

Lowe's $100,000 ride aboard Beaver Fever.

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Calgary's Graves thrills home crowd

2010-07-18T23:35:01Z

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.

]]> "Look at this bad boy," a grinning Graves said, checking out his championship bronze. He had that in one hand and a giant cheque for $100,000 in the other.

"This has been eluding me for a long time. I've been in the Calgary Stampede seven, eight times, but never won it," Graves said. "It feels pretty good."

His ribs, on the other hand, aren't feeling so good. Graves was battling torn cartiledge in his ribs all week but competed nonetheless.

"Right now it's got Novocain in it, so it feels as good as it's going to feel. It's all worth it," he said. "But it's going to hurt a lot later.

"I was lucky to get out of here without really getting hurt."

Graves put up the fastest time in the preliminary round of showdown Sunday to earn a place in the top 4. He then delivered, edging the next-closest competitor by just 0.2 seconds.

The final competitor to go, his 3.8s time flashed on the screen and the crowd erupted.

"It was pretty cool," Graves said, grinning. "I've been waiting a long time for that."

He was one of seven Alberta natives to crack the final four on Sunday, but the only Canadian cowboy to take home the big prize.

In the women's barrel racing, 2008 Calgary Stampede champion Lindsay Sears of Nanton placed second ($25,000), Rana Koopmans of Lethbridge was fourth ($10,000) and bull rider Scott Shiffner of Strathmore tied for third ($12,500).

Steve Lloyd of Alix placed third in tie-down roping, earning $15,000. Justin Berg of Marwayne was second in the saddle bronc, a $25,000 purse, while Jim Berry of Rocky Mountain House received $12,500.

Graves, the big money winner, didn't have many plans for the big cheque.

"It's probably already spent. You rodeo, it goes fast," he said. "But right now I'm going to get me a Bud light beer over there real quick. I'm going to go see my family and buy some guys some drinks."

Graves' $100,000 finish.

7 Canadians advance to Stampede showdown

2010-07-18T21:58:08Z

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.

]]> Get the latest updates on Twitter and check back for photos, videos and stories about the richest day in rodeo.

Super showdown Sunday

2010-07-18T15:58:16Z

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.

]]> Sunday night the chuckwagons go head to head for their $100,000 prize, with four wagon drivers -- Jason Glass, Neal Walgenbach and brothers Kirk and Kelly Sutherland -- in the hunt.

Walgenbach plans to retire after this race.

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Buckle bunnies, whiskey and Stampede rumours

2010-07-18T13:43:45Z

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.

]]> Since one of his major sponsors is Jack Daniel's, Roy seemed like a good pick to tackle these subjects.

"Buckle bunnies are girls that follow around cowboys at rodeos and bull riding events, they dress...(he didn't finish his sentence here)...they go out to the bars, they're everywhere the cowboys are," the 23-year-old said.

"They love cowboys. It's what they do."

And according to Roy (pictured above), they have more success than their puck equivalents.

"They do well, yeah. You can get a lot closer to the bull riders and cowboys than hockey players," he says. "Cowboys are a lot more accessible, and you've got rodeos going on all summer, every summer. Everyone seems to love the rodeo."

The buckle bunnies are the girls wearing the skirts that aren't really there, the tied up shirts, the shorter than short shorts, and the jeans with cut out bums. Getting pictures of these girls is difficult because nobody wants to pose and be labelled as a buckle bunny. Fancy that.

"I don't have any direct experience with the buckle bunnies," Roy warns. "I met my wife in high school."

Now for the rumour mill.

Stampede veterans here say the divorce rate spikes after the Stampede, the baby boom happens in April -- precisely nine months after the Stampede -- and a lot of cheating happens on the Calgary grounds during the 10-day event.

"You do hear, 'What happens at the Stampede, stays at the Stampede,'" Roy says. "With me, what happens at a rodeo I can go home and talk about it. But I guess that's not true for everyone."

The Calgary Stampede is in a league of its own, he says.

"There's nothing compared to this. It's different when you're competing, but it's fun when you're watching, you want to have a really good time while you're watching. And most people here really do."

The rumour that most people are heavily drinking during the 10-day event is easy to prove once you see the nightly scene. The beer tents are even packed during the day.

With JD backing him as a major sponsor, Roy gets free booze and admits he takes advantage of that sponsorship "within reason" -- but never when he's working.

"When I'm competing, I lay off it. But at home, or when I go out, I like to sip on it a little bit."

The best rumour swirling around here: a hotel offers to store people's wedding rings in a safe for the duration of the Calgary Stampede. And they spray tan over the finger, according to numerous veteran (credible?) Stampede sources.

"What? That's a new one for me," Roy said, smiling. "Really?"

Only at the Calgary Stampede.

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2nd wildcard a charm for bull rider Roy

2010-07-17T22:42:34Z

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.

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But the 23-year-old made good on his chance Saturday, becoming one of two bull riders to come out of the wildcard round to advance to Super Sunday.

"It feels really good," Roy said. "I was in this position last year and I got the third place. That's a really bad feeling to get in your truck and go home instead of competing on Sunday.

"I can't wait. This is a chance I've been waiting for a long time."

Roy completes his victory lap Saturday.

Roy rode Seven Seconds to a second-place finish to earn his finals berth, behind Brazil's Edimundo Gomes, who also advances.

"I was telling my wife I really didn't want to make that drive home again," Roy said. "I'm really happy I don't have to."

Other Canadians to make good on their wildcard attempts Saturday were tie-down roper Marty Becker of Edmonton, Alta., bareback rider Luke Creasy of Brownfield, Alta., and barrel racer Molly Powell, who was born in Alberta but now calls Texas home.

"This is awesome," Powell said shortly after registering the fastest time of the day. "It's a big surprise actually because I haven't been doing that well."

Her horse had been battling a foot injury but came out of nowhere to be the fastest of the day when it counted most.

"I have to say our confidence was really low," Powell said. "Today felt really good."

Also advancing were Americans Steven Peebles in bareback, Fed Whitfield in tie-down roping, Hunter Cure and Wade Sumpter in steer wrestling, Chet Johnson and Bradley Harter in saddle bronc, and PJ Burger in barrel racing.

Whitfield put it best when asked about the feeling of securing the wildcard win: "Excited? Well, yeah. If you can't get excited about a chance to win $100,000, what the hell are you going to get excited about?"

Molly Powell was the fastest barrel racer of the day.

Wildcard winners Whitfield and Becker watch the bull riding.

Bradley Harter rides Spring Blues.

How 'bout them cowgirls.

This tiny performer was part of the show at intermission.

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Albertans buck to novice Stampede titles

2010-07-17T20:28:29Z

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."

]]> 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.

Related Item: Young Canadian wins Stampede's 1st title

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Heart-stopping Midway food: In photos

2010-07-17T18:40:01Z

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.

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Mmmm -- bacon on a stick.

Beef: the most popular item here.

That's right -- the hot beef sundae.

Hot beef sundae: Before.

The full hot beef sundae: beef, corn, cheddar cheese, bacon and a cherry tomato on top.

Deep fried pickle -- another favourite.

Cheese on a stick: before.

Cheese on a stick: after.

Chipstix: Deep fried potato on a stick.

Corn dog batter.

The most impressive deep fried lineup here.

Fried strawberries, cheese cake, strawberry short cake, oreos, twinkies -- you name it, they've got it.

Waffle on a stick - delicious.

Pizza on a stick.

Fried strawberry shortcake.

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Get set for wildcard, semifinal Saturday

2010-07-17T17:07:41Z

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.

]]> The top eight cowboys in each of the major categories -- bareback, steer wrestling, saddle bronc, barrel racing (cowgirls) and bull riding -- have the day off, having already earned berths to the big showdown on Sunday.

Two more champions will also be crowned Saturday in the novice saddle bronc and novice bareback events. Dayton Johnston of Milk River, Alta. became the first champion of the 2010 event when he won the junior steer riding Stampede title on Friday.

Contestants moving on to showdown Sunday (Canadians in bold) are as follows:

Saddle bronc: Wade Sundell, Cody Taton, Jim Berry, Cody DeMoss, JJ Elshere, Shaun Stroh, Sam Kelts, Justin Berg.

Bareback: William Lowe, Ryan Gray, Kelly Timberman, Bobby Mote, Justin mcDaniel, Davey Shields Jr., Dusty LaValley, Tilden Hooper.

Bull riding: Scott Shiffner, Kyle German, Beau Hill, Tyler Thomson, J.W. Harris, Jason O'Hearn, Douglas Duncan, Corey Navarre.

Tie-down roping: Ryan Jarrett, Matt Shiozawa, Houston Hutto, Clint Robinson, Cody Ohl, Stran Smith, Steve Lloyd, Scott Kromos.

Steer wrestling: Cash Myers, Todd Suhn, Jake Rinehart, Blake Knowles, Lee Graves, Stockton Graves, Gabe LeDoux, Casey McMillen.

Barrel Racing: Brittany Pozzi, Jill Moody, Lindsay Sears, Lisa Lockhart, Sue Smith, Joleen Seitz, Savanah Reeves, Rana Koopmans.

Saturday night the chuckwagon drivers are at it again, with the top eight drivers -- Jason Glass, Kirk Sutherland, Brian Laboucane, Gary Gorst, Neal Walgenbach, Kelly Sutherland, Buddy Bensmiller and Mark Sutherland -- battling it out in an all-Canadian semifinal.

The top four times will earn those wagons a berth to the final on Sunday and a chance at that $100,000 prize.

There's a heavy Sutherland contingent in the semifinal. Kelly, brother of Buddy and father of Mark, is a 10-time Calgary Stampede champion.

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Wild pony race: In photos

2010-07-16T22:18:25Z

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.

]]> More often than not you see one or two kids holding on to a rope as the pony drags them through the dirt. And this usually goes on for quite a while.

Here are a few shots and video from Friday's wild pony action:

The double drag.

The start of a successful climb.

This pony won.

Watch this video of a wild pony attempt:

An almost successful attempt:

A look at the little buckaroos competing.

More dragging.

This is the other option for pony riding at the Calgary Stampede. Except it's out of order.

Another victorious pony leaves the kids in the dirt.

A couple young cowboys prepare for action.

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Young Canadian wins Stampede's 1st title

2010-07-16T20:33:12Z

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."

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Johnston walks off stage after the award presentation Friday.

The young cowboy was sitting third overall heading into Friday's final. He managed to ride into the No. 1 spot when the top two riders were bucked off.

"She kicked really hard, and the cowboys here said if I rode her, I'd win," Johnston said. "That was my goal."

Bryce West led the field heading into Friday's ride, but was bucked off and stayed on the ground for more than a minute as medical staff tended to him. West managed to get up and walk away.

West's brother Lonnie won the Stampede's junior steer riding championship, and his father, Kevin, is a former Stampede champion bull rider.

Johnston is a second generation cowboy, but the first in his family to compete at the Calgary Stampede.

Asked how much prize money he'll be taking home, and Johnston shrugged.

"I'm not too sure," he said. "I didn't really check."

The total purse: $1,334.

As for a celebration, Johnston doesn't have much time to relish in the championship title. He's off to Peace River, Alta., this evening for another rodeo.

Johnston comes out of the gate during his championship ride.

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First champion set to be crowned

2010-07-16T19:40:28Z

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.

]]> Leading the field heading into Friday's competition is Bryce West of Cadogan, Alta. West is the son of former Calgary Stampede champion bull rider, Kevin West.

The cowboy with the best cumulative score after Friday's ride will take home the top prize.

Check back for updates and for more on the Stampede's first champion of 2010.

A skyride through the grounds

2010-07-16T18:01:57Z

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?

]]> I ran into a few lawyers on the grounds Friday morning -- again, a regular work day -- and one of them, who will remain unnamed, said she put in a total of four "billable hours" this week.

There just isn't an expectation from a lot of companies here to put in much work during the 10-day event, she says.

Attendance is actually down just over 2,000 people from this time last year, but the show is gaining ground. As of Saturday -- Day 2 -- attendance was down more than 13,000 compared to last year.

To get an accurate picture of the activity here, I got on the West Jet skyride to take some overhead shots of the grounds. It was about 11am -- 2.5 hours before the rodeo starts.

The (blurry) takeoff.

The line for chuckwagon race tickets. It's a very hot ticket item here at the Stampede.

The Pengrowth Saddledome in the background hosts shows from 11 am - 9 pm daily.

Ground level shot of the rodeo standings after seven days of competition.

Check out a video from the skyride (disclaimer: it's really, really shaky):

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