Stampede Rodeo kicks off Thursday night

There are no local competitors competing in saddle bronc this weekend, but Zeke Thurston, who is currently ranked first in the Rodeo Canada Standings, is scheduled to compete during Saturday’s performance at 1:30 p.m. Dawson Hay of Wildwood, Alberta, who is ranked third in the standings, and Jake Finlay, who is ranked fourth, are also scheduled to compete.

Bareback Riding

Two local competitors, both from Saskatchewan, will be competing for prize money on Saturday.

Wyatt Maines of Maple Creek, and Dantan Bertsch of Eastend are both listed on the draw for the afternoon show on Saturday. Maines is currently ranked 27^th in the Rodeo Canada standings,

Caleb Bennett, currently ranked first in Rodeo Canada, rides during Thursday’s show, along with Richmond Champion, who is ranked second. Calgary’s Spur Lacasse, who sits in third place in the standings, is scheduled to ride Friday.

Bull Riding

Friday sees two people from the area competing in bull riding.

Maple Creek’s Jared Parsonage, currently sitting in seventh place in the Rodeo Canada standings, along with Medicine Hat’s Wacey Finkbeiner, who is ranked 25^th, are both riding in the Friday night show. Finkbeiner is matched with Pink Panther, while Parsonage is set to ride Nervous Switch.

Mexico’s Edgar Durazo, who is currently in first place in the standings, rides Thursday evening. Jacob Gardner, a close second-place in the standings, rides on Friday, while third place Jordan Hansen rides Saturday.

Tie Down Roping

Several local competitors competed in the slack event for Tie down roping.

Alwin Bouchard of Scandia, Alberta, who is currently ranked first in the rankings, competed in the slack event Thursday morning. Blake Williamson of Duchess and Tyler Popescul of Medicine Hat were also listed for the event.

Steer Wrestling

Curtis Cassidy is looking to add points and stay in first place when he competes during Saturday afternoon’s rodeo. Tanner Milan and Cody Cassidy, ranked second and third, respectively, are also scheduled to compete Saturday.

The lone local in the event, Duchess’ Brayden Lelek, competing in the slack performance on Thursday morning.

Barrel Racing

Medicine Hat’s Chelsey Carlier is listed to compete Thursday evening in the event. She is currently ranked 66^th in the Rodeo Canada standings this year.

Lacombe’s Justine Elliott, who sits in first place in the standings, is scheduled to ride Friday night.

Four racers from southern Alberta competed in the Thursday slack performance, including Medicine Hat’s Kareen Warren, Maple Creek’s Kerry Maynes, Lynette Brodoway of Brooks and Jordan Fitzhenry from Coaldale.

Team Roping

Multiple locals are competing in the team roping event.

Jared Pancoast of Cypress County is competing with Ty Ellis of Sonningdale, Saskatchewan Thursday evening.

On Friday, the all local duo Kevin Schreiner of Medicine Hat and Dalton Kraft of Irvine are scheduled to compete. Devin Wigemyr of Brooks will also team with Roland McFadden of Vulcan on Friday.

Saturday sees Cypress County’s Braidy Davies team with Moose Jaw’s Brady Chappell, while Trent Tunke of Medicine Hat partners with Jesse Popescul of Wood Mountain, Saskatchewan.

Medicine Hat’s Clint Schreiner and Redcliff’s Wyatt Stuber competed in the slack competition on Thursday.

by Charles Lefebvre

Stampede Rodeo kicks off Thursday night

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