For many cowboys traveling the rodeo circuit, qualifying to compete at the Calgary Stampede means they have arrived at the top.
A chance to win a paycheque of $50,000 doesn’t hurt either.
Chuckwagon driver veteran Kelly Sutherland of Grande Prairie, Alta., won his eighth rangeland derby to take home the big cheque. It was his third consecutive win.
Bull riding went to a 19-year-old rookie named Jason McDonald of New Mexico. He has just graduated into the professional rodeo circuit from the high school system.
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Cliff Williamson of Madden, Alta., was the best calf roper. He is the first Canadian cowboy to post $1 million in career earnings.
Rod Hay of Wildwood, Alta., was the best saddle bronc rider.
Barrel racing went to Rachel Myllymaki, of Aflee, Montana.
Two Texans were also big winners. The best steer wrestler was Mickey Gee of Witchita Falls and Chris Harris was the top bareback rider.
A Canadian won the international auctioneer when Rimbey, Alta., auctioneer Dan Skeels out talked 31 competitors from Canada, the United States and Australia. He wins $5,000 and a silver belt buckle.
The supreme beef champions were Angus cattle from Alberta. The supreme champion bull came from Cudlobe Farms, Stavely, Alta., and the female was shown by Lee and Dawn Wilson of Bashaw, Alta.
These champions are entitled to go on to the Canadian Western Agribition in Regina at the end of November where they compete for up to $50,000 in prize money.
Champion cattle
The best carcass from the steer classic show was also from an Angus steer, entered by William Bygrove of Strathmore, Alta., who took home $4,000.
The champions for charity auction raised $93,500 for Calgary charities. The auction offers the show winners from the steer classic and market lamb events.
The grand champion steer sold for $40,000 to Calgarian Fred Mannix, who donated the money to the Calgary Highlanders. Schneider Show Cattle and Henry and Judy Fenton of Irma, Alta., entered the champion.
The reserve grand champion steer sold for $11,000 to Bar N Ranch and Canadian 88 Energy Corp of Calgary. It was the entry of Debbie McKay of Kathyrn, Alta. The money was donated to the STARS air ambulance.
The champion market lamb sold for $6,500 to the Alberta Association of Agriculture Societies.
The reserve lamb went for $1,300 to Don and Joan Wilson of Calgary with the money going to the Calgary Stampede Foundation. The champion lamb was the entry of Dan Buryn of Radway, Alta., and the reserve came from Forth Lam Feeders of Wetaskiwin, Alta.
