The “greatest outdoor show on earth” wrapped up Sunday and a woman from Hudson Bay, Saskatchewan took top honours in barrel racing at the Calgary Stampede. Bertina Olafson and her horse Duke walked away with the bronze statue and $50,000.
Meanwhile in bull riding, all four finalists were bucked off and the judges were contemplating how to come up with a winner in case it happened in the re-ride but Jordan Hansen of Okotoks, Alberta hung on for an 87.5 on a bull named Diamond Back while his competitors were again bucked off. The 27 year old will also take home $50,000.
There were a host of high scores in Bareback but it was Iowa’s Tim O’Connell, also a three time world champion, who took home the Stampede bronze and the big payday with a 93.5 on Zulu Warrior.
Idaho’s Stetson Jorgenson had a 4.7 second run in the steer wrestling final which was enough for the $50,000 and beat out Alberta’s Curtis Cassidy.
In Saddle Bronc Wyoming’s Brody Cress, with a 94.5 on Special Delivery, not only took home the bronze statue and the pay-day but his score tied an all-time Stampede record set in 1995 by Glen O’Neill.
There was only one repeat Stampede winner and it went to Cory Solomon of Texas in Tie-Down Roping. He also won in 2012 and 2017 at the Stampede.
The annual Calgary Stampede Guy Weadick Award was given Sunday to bull rider Jared Parsonage, of Maple Creek. The award commemorates the Stampede’s founder and is given to a rodeo competitor based upon ability, appearance, showmanship, character, sportsmanship and cooperation with other cowboys, the arena crew, the media and the public.