PONOKA STAMPEDE
by Dianne Finstad
C owboy Christmas will be richer than ever this summer, thanks to the cowboy commitment of the Ponoka Stampede. The Ponoka Stampede Association made the bold move of bumping the purse for each of the major events up to $60,000, including both headers and heelers in team roping. Already the top paying individual rodeo in Canada outside the Canadian Finals Rodeo, Ponoka’s directors decided it was time to do more. “We’ve been at $55,000 for a while,” explains Ponoka Stampede Association President Rick Wierzba. “With inflation and everything, we just want to help the cowboys out as much as we can. They’re the foundation of our sport. We always just feel if we can give back, we should. That’s a big thing for us.” It’s a big thing for rodeo in Canada as well, and has many competitors making Cowboy Christmas travel plans to include the town of 7500 for the June 25-July first event. “It’s really exciting to have one of the top 25 paying rodeos in the world drawing all the wolves of the world up to compete,” says CPRA General Manager Denny Phipps. “It’s an exciting format and speaks to the level of the rodeo to have so many willing to come back for a short go (the Showdown Round) at a busy rodeo time of the year. That kind of money can be a game changer for the CFR for sure, and for the NFR as well.” The prize money increase comes on the heels of back-to-back record years for the Ponoka Stampede, with weekly attendance topping 100,000.
“It’s been quite amazing, honestly,” marvels Weirzba. He credits a combination of factors for the success and growth, including the addition of the Wild West suites building, which has boosted corporate sponsorship and involve- ment. Last year the Showdown Dance Hall debuted to become a hot spot for fans at the grounds. This year’s Honorary Ponoka Stampede Presi - dent is Barrie Carter, who’s been on the board since 1974, and was a leader in bringing more sponsorship to the event. “I think one of the biggest reasons Ponoka has been a success is because the main goal always is to put on the best show that you could – best stock, best cowboys, best facil - ities, best everything, and treat the fans like they were kings” says Carter. Contestants do appreciate having a shot at the big bucks, which can bring them a lot closer to their year-end goals. For example, capturing his third Ponoka Stampede Saddle Bronc Championship last year helped Zeke Thurston on his way to a fourth World Gold Buckle. The Big Valley cowboy (who was fea - tured on the 2023 Ponoka Stampede poster) set a season-earnings record of $456,356, with $18,000 of that from Ponoka. “This is top five rodeos of the year in the entire world, it doesn’t matter where you go,” said Thurston, after collecting the spoils of his Ponoka victory. “This is one of the best rodeos you’ll ever go to. It’s a cowboy’s rodeo. It’s western, and great bucking horses. It’s darn sure my favorite rodeo.”
Canadian Rodeo News – May, 2024 – 14
Made with FlippingBook interactive PDF creator