Come-Back Win Puts Rider Back on Top
Calgary – Bull rider Tanner Byrne had been battling numerous injuries most of the winter, and only recently returned to action.
Bull number one in Pool B at Calgary didn’t go so well. But Byrne, from Prince Albert, SK, bounced back Wednesday and rode like his old self on the Kesler bull All Fired Up, racking up 84 points for first on the day.
“That was very well needed,” says Byrne. “It’s been a long six months of groin rehab, shoulder rehab, trying to get my body back in riding condition, and I guess it paid off today.”
“To tell you the truth, since I came back, it hasn’t felt all that well. I’ve just been out for so long, trying to get that momentum back, and that feeling of staying on again. Today was a big relief, and now I want to keep it rolling. With my best friend Ty Pozzobon passing away at the start of this year, I’ve got his boots on in honor of him, it’s pretty cool stuff. So it’s very heartfelt, and I miss him every day,” adds Byrne.
Byrne’s $5500 for the win puts him right at the top of Pool B alongside Day 5 winner J.B. Mauney, with the same total.
Barrel racing fans were treated to four-time World Champion Sherry Cervi and her great mare Stingray rounding the pattern in 17.51 seconds, the fastest time of the day giving Cervi the win, to follow up her second place finish Tuesday.
“I’ve won more money in two days than I have probably in a month,” says Cervi.
The amazing thing about the feat is that Cervi just climbed back in the saddle on Stingray on Tuesday.
“Yesterday was the first competitive run I made on her since September. This winter I got embryos out of her, and my husband’s been roping on her. I hadn’t planned on bringing her up here. But with my horse situation, plans changed, and I thought I had her in good enough shape to come up here,” adds Cervi.
Cervi and Lisa Lockhart traded results for the two days, so they’re tied at the top of Pool B, with $10,000 apiece.
It came down to the last two contestants in the tie-down roping, to speed up the pace. For the second day in a row, Matt Shiozawa sizzled through his run, finishing up in 7.9 seconds. But then Stampede newcomer Logan Bird came out and matched that with his own shiny run in 7.9 seconds, for a tie at the top, and $5000 apiece.
Bird, who lives in Nanton, was thrilled to get his first Calgary cash.
“This is the best rodeo for me. When I was a kid, I’d pretend like I was doing all the events, all ten days when I was watching the Stampede,” says Bird. “I grew up an hour from here. It’s been just a dream to come to this rodeo. Initially when I was six years old I wanted to be in the bull riding, so I guess it’s changed a little bit, but I still wanted to come to the Calgary Stampede.”
Shiozawa shoots to the top of Pool B with his $10,500 total, followed by Caleb Smidt of Texas with $6,000, and then Bird with his $5,000.
In the bareback riding, best ride of the day was an 88 from Texan Jake Brown on Kesler’s Garden Party, for his first Calgary cash.
Steven Peebles found the pay window again, so he’s leading Pool B bareback riders with $7,000, followed by Kaycee Feild at $6,500.
The steer wrestling bronze went to Tyler Waguespack of Louisiana, for a 4.2 second run.
Waguespack sits in for a share of second place in Pool B with Bray Armes with the $5500, but by placing both days, JD Struxness of Minnesota leads with $8,000.
For the second day in a row, the saddle bronc riding results won’t be official until Zeke Thurston takes a re-ride on Thursday. Rusty Wright is leading so far with an 89 point ride on Gone Country. Jacobs Crawley did end up with first for the opening round, after it was completed Wednesday.
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 10-day 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.
See more at calgarystampede.com