It was an intense weekend with exciting sport and fantastic music including country music darlings, Lonestar (did you know their song Amazed is the #1 first dance wedding song in the U.K.?). We hope everyone had a fantastic time. If you had to miss it (which is too bad and you should seriously consider going next year) check out this video:
For more highlights check out the amazing photos on Flickr.
By: Reginald Tiangha
The main purpose of the Calgary Stampede’s Next Generation committee (NGC) is to attract and engage the next generation of Stampede audiences as patrons, supporters, and volunteers of the Calgary Stampede so that we can help ensure that the legacy the Stampede’s founders built almost one hundred years ago continues to thrive for another 100 years or more.
One component of that mandate involves outreach. Whether that’s helping other Stampede committees with their public facing activities (for example, providing NGC volunteers to assist with the Get Your Head in a Hat program), or whether it’s reaching out to people using technology like blog posts such as those you regularly see here on the official Stampede Blog, our committee is always looking for new ways to connect with and engage new audiences regardless of their age, ethnicity, or background.
Yesterday, the NGC hosted a group of 42 people who had never been to a rodeo before for an evening at the Canadian Rodeo Tour Championship in what we hope will serve as a pilot project for future public outreach programs that our committee may offer in the future. This group of people ranged from young adults to not-so-young adults, from professionals to students, from those who have lived in Calgary all their lives to those who have immigrated from far-away places such as China. We wanted to reach out to as much of a diverse audience of Calgarians that we could in order to help foster an understanding and appreciation of what the sport of Rodeo is all about to those who may have been unaware of it.
A good time was had by all last night for opener of this year’s Canadian Rodeo Tour Championship presented by Wrangler.
The results:
Saddle Bronc: (SB) Sam Kelts – 83.5
Bareback Riding: (BR) Kevin Taylor – 83.5
Tie Down Roping: (TDR) Al Bouchard – 7.5
Team Roping: (TR) Levi Simpson/Matt Fawcett – 5.5
Steer Wrestling: (SW) Todd Woodward – 4.0
Ladies Barrel Racing: (LBR) Brittany Pozzi – 13.63
Bull Riding: (BR) Ty Elliott – 86.5
For those who couldn’t make it – here are some of the highlights from yesterday:
For up-to-date information follow along with us on Twitter and Facebook and check out the photo gallery on our Flickr page.
By: Killa Burkinshaw
With the Canadian Rodeo Tour Championship starting tonight (still time to get your tickets if you haven’t already!), there might be some of you out there who have never seen a rodeo before, or don’t watch it frequently enough to know what it’s all about.
So, I figured it might be useful to do a brief overview of the the events that you’ll be seeing at this year’s Canadian Rodeo Tour Championship beforehand so that you’ll all be ready to fully enjoy the experience when you arrive. With that in mind, I present to you, the loyal Stampede Blog reader, Rodeo 101 – The Crash Course Version!
Now, will everyone please take their seats? Good. Then let’s get started! These are the events that you’ll be seeing this year. For more details (including video!), click on the links that are included in the descriptions. There may be a test at the end, so pay attention!
Both four-legged and two-legged rodeo stars are set to thrill at the finale of the Canadian rodeo tour this weekend in the Stampede Corral. Five-time world and Canadian bareback champ Grated Coconut and Speed Dial, Stampede’s rock star bull, will challenge contestants to hang on for their piece of the $218,500 purse.
Two-legged stars vying for prize money and a spot in the 2010 Stampede include World Champion Barrel Racer Lindsay Sears and eight-time Saddle Bronc Canadian Champion Rod Hay.
And that’s not all; the Blackstar Saloon is back with live entertainment starting on Friday afternoon at 4:30 and headlined by Lonestar at 9 p.m. on Saturday.
Prices start at $19.86*. To buy tickets click here or call 403.269.9822 or 1.800.661.1767.
Tickets office hours this week:
Monday to Friday: Grandstand Ticket Office – 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: Corral Ticket Office – 4:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Sunday: Corral Ticket Office – 11:00 a.m. to the end of the rodeo
*plus applicable fees and taxes
The Canadian Rodeo Tour Championship is presenting the Doc Walker CD release party on September 25th at Flames Central. It’s the release of their highly anticipated CD “Go”.
This is an exclusive event and there are only 80 tickets left! If you are a Stampede Insider then hopefully you have your tickets already. For those of you who haven’t signed up yet (first of all: why not? Look at all the great opportunities you are missing out on!) you can reserve your four FREE tickets by calling 403.269.9822 or 1.800.661.1767.
That’s right – FREE!
When you pick up your tickets you will be automatically entered to win a “GO PASS” that includes: a meet and greet with Doc Walker, an autographed “Go” CD and prime seats to the Canadian Rodeo Tour Championship on Sunday, October 4.
For full contest rules, click here or call the Stampede Ticket Office at 403.269.9822 or 1.800.661.1767.
And really, sign up for the Stampede Insider’s List – you are crazy not to.
For those of you who hate getting your boots dusty waiting for the next Stampede – and really, isn’t that all of us? – you are in luck! October 2-4th we give you the Canadian Rodeo Tour Championship presented by Wrangler.
The Canadian Rodeo Tour Championship is the culmination of the Canadian Rodeo Tour. Mark your calendar for October 2-4, 2009 and come down to the Corral at Stampede Park to see all the action. This event will give fans new and old the chance to see the best cowboys and cowgirls in Canada of the 2009 rodeo season go up against the toughest animals in the world.
With a $218,500 purse up for grabs, including the final Sunday Showdown the competition will be fierce. And through grit, strength, and sheer force of will, the top two cowboys in their events during the Tour Championship will earn spots in the Canadian Finals Rodeo (CFR) held in Edmonton November 11-15, 2009. Additionally, the top two contestants in Saddle Bronc, Bareback, Bull Riding, Steer Wrestling, Tie-Down Roping and Barrel Racing will qualify for the world famous Calgary Stampede in 2010.
There is also a phenomenal music event tied in with the rodeo – so great in fact it deserves it’s own post so stay tuned and dust off those boots!
