September 18, 2009 news RELEASE
Stampede-style thrills kick off October in Calgary
CALGARY --The Calgary Stampede is doing it again – bringing the best in rodeo and western entertainment to Stampede Park, but this time it’s in October – and it’s all geared for fun.
The Canadian Rodeo Tour Championship presented by Wrangler, which is the finale for Canada’s rodeo tour circuit, headlines three action-packed days, October 2-4, at the Stampede Corral.
Rodeo tickets start at under $20 each and include admission to the Blackstar Saloon where Canadian country music favourites Jason Greeley, Shane Chisholm and Karen Lee Batten perform on Friday and chart-topping superstars Lonestar headline Saturday. The Sunday rodeo includes the crowning of the 2010 Calgary Stampede Queen and Princesses and the introduction of the new Indian Princess.
The championship features the top 12 athletes in each of the seven major rodeo events: bareback, steer wrestling, saddle bronc, team roping, tie-down roping, barrel racing and bull riding. In each event, 10 competitors come from the Canadian Rodeo Tour, made up of the 11 major rodeos nation-wide sanctioned by the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association. Two other competitors for each event are still to be named, qualifying as the top money-winners from the dozens of other sanctioned rodeos that are still underway across the country.
“This is a very exciting event for us as competitors,” said Tyson Durfey, the 2006 tie-down roping tour champion. “I love the fans and the energy they bring to the arena every time. The level of competition in Canada is second to none. It’s a place that I’ve grown to love.” Durfey is from Colbert, Wash., and is the reigning Canadian champion as well.
The rodeo’s competition format will have fans on the edge of their seats. Friday and Saturday night, contestants are vying for a spot in Sunday’s semi-finals, which will feature eight in each event. They start with a clean slate with the top four advancing to the finals. The rodeo features $218,500 in prize money with winners able to earn $15,000. The money is significant, but perhaps even more important to each champion is a spot in the Canadian Rodeo Finals and the 2010 Calgary Stampede.
Top bucking stock will be responsible for half the points in bareback riding, saddle bronc riding and bull riding. One lucky bareback rider will be matching his skills against the five-time world champion bucking horse Grated Coconut owned by the Calgary Stampede.
“The Canadian Rodeo Tour Championship is a highlight of the circuit,” said Keith Marrington, the Stampede’s rodeo manager. “This is a high-energy weekend of western entertainment, top-notch music and family appeal. It’s thrilling, it’s different and it’s affordable.”
There will be other western events throughout the weekend. All in all, the Canadian Rodeo Tour Championship is just a little taste of Stampede --- but in October.
For a complete schedule of activities and to order tickets visit www.calgarystampede.com.
WHAT: Canadian Rodeo Tour Championship
WHEN: Friday, Oct. 2 at 7 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 3 at 7 p.m.; Sunday, Oct. 4 at 1 p.m.
WHERE: The Corral, Stampede Park
Note to media: Daily video highlights will be available through TOC approximately 30 minutes after the completion all of the rodeo events.
For more information, please contact:
Pam Taylor
Media Marketing Manager
T 403.261.0277
C 403.463.6834
E ptaylor@calgarystampede.com
The Calgary Stampede is a volunteer-supported, not-for-profit community organization that preserves and promotes western heritage and values. The Stampede contributes to the quality of life in Calgary and southern Alberta through its world-renowned 10-day Stampede, year-round facilities, western events and several youth and agriculture programs. All revenue is reinvested into Calgary Stampede programs and facilities. For more about the Stampede, visit www.calgarystampede.com.
September 18, 2009 Competitor list
SADDLE BRONC
Sam Kelts Millarville, Alta.
Luke Butterfield Ponoka, Alta.
Dustin Flundra Pincher Creek, N.D.
Chet Johnson Gillette, Wyo.
Ben Morrow Turner Valley, Alta.
Rod Hay Wildwood, Alta.
Justin Berg Marwayne, Alta.
Cody Taton Newell, S.D.
Kyle Daines Innisfail, Alta.
Kyle Thomson Black Diamond, Alta.
TIE-DOWN ROPING
Tyson Durfey Colbert, Wash.
Mike Johnson Henryetta, Okla.
Marty Becker Edmonton, Alta.
Matt Shiozawa Chubbuck, Idaho
Logan Hofer Magrath, Alta.
Alwin Bouchard Scandia, Alta.
Nathan Baldwin Blackfoot, Idaho
Douglas Pharr Victoria, Tex.
Chad Johnson Del Bonita, Alta.
Clint Robinson Spanish Fork, Utah
BAREBACK
Dusty LaValley Crooked Creek, Alta.
Bobby Mote Culver, Ore.
Kyle Bowers Brooks, Alta.
Kelly Timberman Mills, Wyo.
Russ Hallaby Airdrie, Alta.
Steven Dent Mullen, Neb.
Cimmaron Gerke Brighton, CO
Jake Marshall Wardlow, Alta.
Reid Rowan Seven Persons, Alta.
Ryan Gray Petersburg, Tex.
STEER WRESTLING
Tanner Milan Cochrane, Alta.
Hunter Cure Holliday, Tex.
Cody Cassidy Donalda, Alta.
Lee Graves Calgary, Alta.
Chad Bouchard Rolling Hills, Alta.
Zane Hankel Redcliff, Alta. Todd Woodward Lethbridge, Alta.
Trevor Knowles Mt. Vernon, Ore.
Curtis Cassidy Donalda, Alta.
Baillie Milan Cochrane, Alta.
BULL RIDING
Ty Elliott Vernon, B.C.
Kyle German Crossfield, Alta.
Scott Schiffner Strathmore, Alta.
Steve Turner Cochrane, Alta.
Karson Legault Val Marie, Sask.
Tyler Pankewitz Ponoka, Alta.
Tyler Thomson Black Diamond, Alta.
Wade Marchand Vernon, B.C.
Tanner Girletz Cereal, Alta.
Kyle Lozier 150 Mile House, B.C.
TEAM ROPING - Headers
Murray Linthicum Glentworth, Sask.
Brian Larson Medicine Hat, Alta.
Marty Lillico Spirit River, Alta.
Shane Schwenke Zortman, Mont.
Douglas Pharr Victoria, Tex.
Troy Fischer Mayerthorpe, Alta.
Roland McFadden Vulcan, Alta.
Steele DePaoli Longview, Alta.
Blair Stroh Elkwater, Alta.
Clint Maddox Eckville, Alta.
LADIES BARREL RACING
Brittany Pharr Victoria, Tex.
Rayel Robinson Alix, Alta.
Lisa Lockhart Oelrichs, S.D.
Cathy Grant Granton, Ont.
Molly Powell Stephenville, Tex.
Gaylene Buff Westwold, B.C.
Lindsay Sears Nanton, Alta.
Katie Garthwaite Merritt, B.C.
Rylee McKenzie St. Paul, Alta.
Joleen Seitz Savona, B.C.
Healers
Dwight Wigemyr Brooks, Alta.
Riley Wilson Cardston, Alta.
Mike Beers Post, Ore.
Shank Edwards Levelland, Tex.
Stacy Cornet Brant, Alta.
Cody McCarroll Camrose, Alta.
Clark McCarroll Daysland, Alta.
Don DePaoli Longview, Alta.
Kevin Schreiner Medicine Hat, Alta.
Todd Gallais Olds, Alta.
Copyright 1996 - 2008 Rodeo Attitude, LLC., All rights reserved.