Alberta Cowboy Tops the Field in Bull Riding on Day Six of the Calgary Stampede
You be hard pressed to find a happier cowboy than Ponoka’s Zane Lambert on Day six of the Calgary Stampede. Lambert rode his way to 88 points for first place in the bull riding and $5500. For Lambert, winning at the Stampede is all part of the plan.
“I’ve been waiting all year,” said Lambert, who makes his home in Ponoka. “Going into last year, I knew there was only one shot to get here, and that was to win Canada in the PBR. I wasn’t going to the CFR so I didn’t really have a seat other than that. It was really important to me, so I made sure I won Canada last year and got the spot here. Everything’s been for this moment, so I finally got it.”
Opening day of Pool B didn’t quite go according to Lambert’s plot, despite drawing a bull he was confident he could win the round on. But Excessive Force hip checked the chute on the way out, and Lambert was given a re-ride, which bucked him off.
“I was angry all night and taking it out on everything, trying to fight my head and figure what it’s going to take. Hopefully this is it, and I just keep rolling from now on. After placing both days, World and Stampede Champion Sage Kimzey has the edge in Pool B, with $6000, followed by the day winners Lambert and Derek Kolbaba with $5500 each.
They’re still wrapping them up in the blink of an eye in the tie-down roping. This time it was World All Around Champion Tuf Cooper’s turn to be fast man, with his 6.7 second run, using his horse Topaz.
“That was a blast. It’s a dream come true to come here and compete at the highest level in front of the best crowd and against the best guys in the world. It’s just a blessing to be able to compete, and to have the best run of the day is just really awesome,” declared the Texan who won Calgary in 2011. After two days, Cooper now leads Pool B with $9000, followed by fellow speedster Ryan Jarrett, who has $8000.
Hailey Kinsel and her palomino mare Sister came out on Day Six and found a way to shave off a little time around the barrels. Their time of 17.28 seconds was untouchable so the 23-year-old Texan adds another $5500 to her Stampede tally.
“She’s doing good with the crowd here,” Kinsel said. “I’m hoping to take Saturday off so I can let her have chill day. She’s been really gritty, and tried really hard, despite all the distractions.” Kinsel leads her Pool with $10,000 now, followed by B.C. cowgirl Carman Pozzobon, with $8000.
There was a new high mark set in the saddle bronc riding for this Stampede when World Champion Ryder Wright of Utah clicked out 92 points on Bluebuck Splash. He’s now the Pool B leader, with earnings of $9000.
There’s a reride to go yet in the bareback riding so they haven’t handed out the cash in that event yet. Leading so far is North Dakota’s Ty Breuer, who marked 87.5 points on a horse call Hay Wagon. Kaycee Field will get another horse at the start of Thursday’s round.
Jon Ragatz looked like he had the fastest steer wrestling time of the round with a 3.9 second run but he received a penalty of three-tenths of a second for his horse taking too long in the box. That bumped him to second place, and gave the bronze to Dakota Eldridge, a Nevada cowboy, for his time of 4.1 seconds. His $9000 in earnings now lead Pool B standings, followed by Brendan Laye of Consort with $8000.
About the Calgary Stampede
The Calgary Stampede celebrates the people, the animals, the land, the traditions and the values that make up the unique spirit of the west. The Calgary Stampede contributes to the quality of life in Calgary and southern Alberta through our world-renowned Stampede, year-round facilities, western events and several youth and agriculture programs. Exemplifying the theme We’re Greatest Together; we are a volunteer-supported, not-for-profit community organization that preserves and promotes western heritage and values. All revenue is reinvested into Calgary Stampede programs and facilities.
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