Lucrative Calgary Stampede Begins Friday
The World’s Largest Outdoor Rodeo is backing up its claim by continuing to grow.
The 2023 edition of the world-famous Calgary Stampede has made some changes.
They include modifying the format to now include 30 contestants in each of the six featured events. The previous ‘Wild Card Saturday’ is gone, enabling the addition of another pool of competitors.
“The Calgary Stampede traditionally attracts the best-of-the-best when it comes to competitors, and this year we’re thrilled to showcase even more of the biggest and best names in the sport,” said Kristina Barnes, Manager of Agriculture and Western Events for the Calgary Stampede.
Cowboys often talk about the thrill of receiving the phone call confirming they will be a player at the Stampede, in front of nearly 30,000 fans around the infield. Not only are they part of a tradition that goes back more than 110 years, but doing well at Calgary is an important business opportunity.
Winning a championship nets a $50,000 check, with half of that counting towards the PRCA | RAM World Standings. Add to that the rich go-round pots, which pay $7,000 for first each day, and it’s a recipe for big gains in the PRCA world standings race.
“Since it counts for PRCA, I’m glad they allow more ropers to come, to get the chance to rope for that type of money, to go towards their yearly earnings,” said Ty Harris, a four-time NFR qualifier in the tie-down roping. “I’m thankful for Calgary, that they put the money up they do, and they try to do the best they can to have the best possible rodeo.”
Veteran Canadian bareback rider Orin Larsen is excited the for the 2023 version of the Calgary Stampede.
“I think I’m going to like this new format,” said Larsen, who started a winning streak over Cowboy Christmas with a Ponoka Stampede victory. “It gives the contestants a better chance to go back and forth a lot more and win a lot more money outside of Calgary.”
With more scheduling freedom, Larsen sees the revised format as a ‘win-win’ situation.
“There’s still a lot of money in Calgary,” he said. “I think you can win more money in Calgary the way they have their format now, so we’ll see how it works this year.”
After the successful debut at the Calgary Stampede of the Rocky Mountain Cup last year, team ropers have been invited back, and the program has been expanded to include breakaway ropers this year as well. Officials call the Cup Canada’s richest single day of roping, with $100,000 in prize money on the line. Thirty of the best headers and heelers go head-to-head to be part of the four-team Showdown round.
“Last year was amazing,” said Jeremy Buhler, a PRCA World Champion Team Roping Heeler and two-time Canadian Champion Team Roper, who placed third in the 2022 competition. “Growing up as a team roper, I never thought I’d be part of the Calgary Stampede, so I’m grateful to return this year and have the chance to compete so close to home.”
The Rocky Mountain Cup takes place on July 12. The Calgary Stampede starts July 7 runs through July 16.
Courtesy of PRCA