Big crowds, big shows and big bucks made this year’s Stampede another success.
More than $700,000 was paid out in rodeo purses and in the barns big money went to winners in the 41 livestock shows as well.
A Charolais cow with twin heifer calves and a Limousin bull were the supreme beef breed champions selected from 17 purebred beef champions. The supreme champions receive $5,000 each. The Charolais cow was entered by Clinton and Val Phillips of Waskatenau, Alta. and the supreme champion bull award went to the partnership of Rob and Tim Matthews, Calgary and Bob Funk of Yukon, Oklahoma.
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Stewart Cattle Co., of Russell, Man., won $7,000 in the steer show with a 1,184 pound Angus. The steer was later sold in a charity auction for $20,000 with the entire proceeds donated to the air ambulance service, Shock Trauma Air Rescue Society.
Lonnie McKague, Ogema, Sask., had the reserve champion in a Limousin cross steer. It went for $12,500 in the charity auction and the proceeds were also donated to STARS.
The fed beef expo champions for pens of five steers and five heifers went to Terry Giles of Airdrie, Alta.
The Stampede also offers a $5,000 award to livestock auctioneers. This year’s champion was Californian Darin Clagg. There were 29 competitors from Canada, the United States and Australia. Darin Rebalkin, of Cluny, Alta., was the top rookie auctioneer.
The Calgary Stampede rodeo is the world’s richest purse.
This year, women barrel racers were included in the big prize money. Kristie Peterson, of Elbert, Colo., on a horse named Bozo was the winner.
Kelly Sutherland, of Grande Prairie, Alta., won his sixth chuckwagon Rangeland Derby. It was his sixth Stampede championship but the first time he won the $50,000 pot since the big purses were introduced.
David Roy, of Carseland, Alta., grabbed the brass ring in steer wrestling. He also won in 1993.
Steve Dollarhide, of Arizona, got a mark of 81 to win the saddle bronc and Shawn Vant, of Millet, Alta., won bareback riding.The best bull rider was J.W. Hart of Marietta, Okla.
