By Scott Roblin

Ridsdale edges Walters to take Medicine Hat WPCA title in stunning fashion

Jun 17, 2018 | 8:35 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – It might not have been the way Cody Ridsdale imagined his first career WPCA tour victory, but he’ll take the Medicine Hat title nonetheless.

Ridsdale was crowned the Medicine Hat WPCA races champion on Sunday, winning the ‘Dash for Cash’ finale in shocking fashion at the Stampede Grounds.

Matched up against aggregate leader John Walters and tour veteran Codey McCurrach in the finals, Ridsdale crossed the finish line second to Walters with a time of 1:02.69.

However, Walters was given a one-second penalty for a late outrider and ended up tying the 31-year-old down to one-hundredth of a second.

HERE'S WHAT TO KNOW

Summer pool hours extended and discounts applied as Big Marble Go Centre upgrades start

22h ago

Medicine Hat company drawing in clients with witty signage

Apr 16, 2024

Medicine Hat College holding event for missing and murdered Indigenous women awareness day

Apr 16, 2024

Because he ran a penalty-free final heat, Ridsdale was named the 2018 Medicine Hat champion to cap off an exciting week of action.

Marking his first career WPCA title, Ridsdale said it was a moment he’s been waiting years for.

“You know what, it was ten times better than what I expected,” said Ridsdale. “Just goosebumps, I was just ecstatic as soon as I heard we got the win here.”

Last year, Ridsdale posted eight top 10 finishes on tour but was never able to book himself a spot in a championship heat like the one in Medicine Hat.

Ridsdale said he felt an enormous sense of relief after hearing word he had won the Medicine Hat title.

“It’s kind of like the monkey off the back, saying it’s been a long time coming,” said Ridsdale. “We kept working hard and never gave up, it’s also good to have great outriders behind you that get the job done.”

Fan-favourite Kurt Bensmiller had the top time on the final day of races at the Stampede Grounds, finishing first in his heat with a time of 1:02.11.

It was also the final Medicine Hat race of Rick Fraser’s career, as he wound up with the third-best time of the day at 1:02.48.

According to Ridsdale, even booking a spot in the ‘Dash for Cash’ was an accomplishment to celebrate and everything else is extra sweet.

“It’s a long week and there’s 36 great drivers here, so it’s very hard to even get in the top 10,” he said. “Even if you’re in the top 20, you should be happy every night. But, to compete and make the top three is very hard and a great accomplishment for myself, all my horses, my team, and sponsors.”

Drivers will now pack up and head to their next stop in High River for Guy Weadick Days, which will get underway on Thursday night.

The next big event to take over the Stampede Grounds will be the 2018 Medicine Hat Rodeo, with bull riders, steer wrestlers, and tie-down ropers visiting the city between July 26 and 28.