Haven Meged Stars in Pool B at Calgary Stampede
By: Dianne Finstad
Sometimes two out of three… is just enough.
That’s what Haven Meged is saying about his Pool B appearance at the Calgary Stampede. The 2019 PRCA Tie-Down Roping World Champion set the fastest time of the Stampede so far Tuesday when he tied a calf in 7.0 seconds, a day after placing in his first run.
While it looked like he would be the fast man Wednesday with a 7.1-second run, officials ruled he’d knocked the calf down, so there was no money to add. But it turned out $9,000 was enough for him to rope his way to championship Sunday.
“I’m actually riding my wife (breakaway roper Shelby Boisjoli’s) horse Little Punch,” explained Meged. “She let me borrow him up here. He’s just young, a 6-year-old who’s never been anywhere.
“I don’t know why I’m riding him at the Calgary Stampede because it’s a very loud place, but it’s working out,” he smiled, of the rodeo gamble. “He let me win money and make it back to the short round, so that’s what we’re looking forward to.”
Meged has had good success at the Stampede in years past and was runner-up to Caleb Smidt for last year’s tie-down championship.
“Second is always tough, especially when this rodeo pays so well,” he said. “We’re just gonna put our head down and grind it out.
“Doing well here could help you win a gold buckle and definitely gets you to the NFR. This could bump you up there, to catch up to (PRCA | RAM World Standings leader) Riley Webb.”
Meged finished his day by heading over to cheer on his wife of two months, Boisjoli, in the evening Rocky Mountain Cup event.
“The Calgary Stampede added breakaway roping, so it was pretty cool to get to rope with my wife here,” Meged.
Wednesday’s go-round fast tie-down time was a 7.4 turned in by another 2020 PRCA Tie-Down Roping World Champion Shad Mayfield, his first catch of the week.
“It felt great to finally get one down. I probably could’ve won all three rounds, but I messed up. This is the fastest set up in the world. I love roping like this,” said Mayfield, who still gets out of town with $7,000. “I had nothing to lose today. But this fuels me a lot. I haven’t ever won the Stampede, but it’s on my bucket list. I’ve got a chip on my shoulder to get it done now.”
Along with Meged, Cash Enderli heads to Sunday from Pool B ($15,500), as well as Brushton Minton ($13,250) and Westyn Hughes ($7,000).
Cole Franks made good on his promise to claim another bronze, as he took first with 84.5 on Calgary Stampede’s Weary Joke, leading the bareback qualifiers with $19,500, followed by Tanner Aus ($18,000), Cooper Cooke ($8,083) and Jacob Lees ($6,500). Saddle bronc qualifiers are Layton Green ($16,000), Ross Griffin ($11,750), Stetson Wright ($10,125) and Q Taylor ($8,500).
High marks Wednesday were 87-point rides from Stetson Wright on Outlaw Buckers’ Little Muffin and Ross Griffin on Northcott Yule Rodeo’s Smokin’ Happy.
Making it to Sunday from Pool B steer wrestlers are Scott Guenthner ($16,000), Ty Erickson, who was fastest Wednesday with a 3.7-second run ($10,875), Will Lummus ($10,500) and Tristan Martin ($8,375).
Jared Parsonage was Wednesday’s bull riding winner with an 85-point trip on Duane Kesler Rodeo’s Devils Advocate, to also be high man in Pool B with $18,233. Joining him are Sage Kimzey ($14,783), Ky Hamilton ($9,150), and Jordan Hansen ($8,783). Hailey Kinsel had the fast barrel time Wednesday 17.15 seconds, making it to Sunday with $12,500. Joining her are Taycie Matthews ($15,750), Jackie Ganter ($12,500) and Brittney Sporer ($8,750).
Pool C Contestants start their Sunday quest on Thursday.
Courtesy of PRCA