Ponoka Stampede
- Megan Nicole Larson
- 22 hours ago
- 4 min read
The Ponoka Stampede kicked off June 25-July 1 at the Ponoka Stampede Grounds in Alberta. And if this year's rodeo could be summed up in one word it would be muddy. But the rain and mud did not slow down contestants or rodeo fans who embraced the less than ideal weather and conditions because as the saying goes, it's never a bad day when you're at a rodeo.
Orin Larsen took first in the first round of the bareback riding with his huge 88 point ride on Happening Fact (Calgary Stampede) for $7,047. Ethan Mazurenko took first in the finals with his big 87 points on Forgetful Nelly (Calgary Stampede) for $2,000. First in the average went to Orin Larsen for 173.75 points on two head ro earn another $7,047. Ty Taypotat took first in the showdown round with an impressive 89.75 point ride on Agent Lynx (Calgary Stampede) to pocket $7,500. Larsen had himself an incredible Ponoka and also split 2/3rd in the Showdown round.
Scott Guenthner is going strong again this season and absolutely dominated in the steer wrestling. He took first in the first round with his fast 4.1 seconds run to earn $4,67, split 4/5/6th in the second round with his 4.8 second run to pocket $2,237, first in the final round with his 5.0 seconds run for another $2,000, first in the average with 13.9 seconds on three head for an additional $7,016, and first in the showdown round with his 4.7 seconds to net him another check for $7,500. Wyatt Wilson was able to beat out Guenther in at least one round and took first in the second round with his 4.4 seconds run to earn $4,678.
In the first round of the team roping, Derek Hadland & Jeremy Buhler took first with their 5.8 seconds run to net them $4,616 each. Tyler Tryan & Nicky Northcott took first in the second round with their quick 4.9 seconds run to take home $4,616 each. First in the average went to Derek Hadland & Jeremy Buhler for their 19.1 seconds on three head to take home another $6,924. This duo also took first in the showdown round for their 7.9 seconds run to pocket an additional $7,500 each.
Zeke Thurston took first in the first round of the saddle bronc riding with his big 88.25 point ride on Perlichs Crown Jewel (Duane Kesler Championship Rodeo) for $7,639. Quinten Taylor beat out Thurston in the finals by half a point for first with his solid 88.5 point ride on Juicy News (Calgary Stampede) for $2,000. First in the average went to Thurston for 176.25 points on two head to pocket another $7639.20. The battle between Taylor and Thurston continued into the showdown round with Taylor beating out Thurston for first again with his strong 88.75 points on Dandy Delight (Calgary Stampede) for $7,500.
In the first round of the tie-down roping, Dylan Hancock took first with his quick 8.3 seconds run to earn $4,616. There was a tie for first in the second round between Shane Hanchey and Joel Harris, with both ropers stopping the clock at 8.1 seconds to net them $4,315 each. Haven Meged took first in the finals with his 7.6 seconds run to pocket $2,000. Shane Hanchey took first in the average for 25.9 seconds on three head for another $6,924, and first in the showdown round for his 8.6 second run for an additional $7,500.
Lisa Zachoda took first in the first round of the barrel racing with her 17.35 seconds run to earn $6,108. Michelle Alley just absolutely dominated taking second in the first round for 17.58 to pocket $5,191, first in the finals with her 17.27 seconds run for $2,000, first in the average with 34.85 seconds on three head for another $6,108, and first in the showdown run with her 18.08 seconds run to take home an additional $7,500.
In the first round of the breakaway roping, Keely Pugh took first with her quick 2.3 seconds run to net her $3,181. Falyn Thomson took first in the second round with her 2.5 seconds run to earn $3,181. Jennifer Schuk took first in the finals for her 3.5 second run to take home $2,000. First in the average went to Falyn Thomson for 9.8 seconds on three head to earn $4,772.
Lonnie West took first in the bull riding with his 86.75 point ride on Wild Time (Vold Rodeo) for $6,680. Grady Young took first in the finals with his impressive 87.25 points on Bail Money (LB) for $2,167, first in the average for 170.75 points on two head for another $6,681, and first in the showdown round for his flawless 90.25 point ride on All Gold Rolex (Vold Rodeo) for an additional $9,750.
Vold Rodeo Ltd provided the stock along with sub-contractors Outlaw Buckers, Calgary Stampede, Duane Kesler Rodeo, C5 Rodeo Company, Macza Pro Rodeo, Legend Rodeo Stock, Duffy Rodeo, Prime Time, and Lindsay Carlier. Jeff Resch, Tyler Kraft, Stran Schlosser, Tyler Thomson, and Jason Resch were the pickup men and Tyler Prescott and Tanner Byrne provided the cowboy protection. This year the total payout was $135,000.00.