The richest Ponoka Stampede ever was a game changer for the champions who rode away July first with the lion’s share of the rodeo cash. One cowboy who’s been scooping up a whole lot of loonies over the Cowboy Christmas run is Rocker Steiner. The flashy bareback rider came back to the Ponoka Stampede Finals …
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Bull riding is always a high stakes gamble, especially at the Ponoka Stampede. While the rodeo takes the top twelve rides from the six performances to the Finals, some years there haven’t been twelve riders make the whistle. But in 2025, there were 15 rides, and it took a mark of 82 to crack the …
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Zeke Thurston has a long history with the Ponoka Stampede. It goes back to the days when he was part of the family act The Thurston Gang doing trick roping and riding. Then there was steer riding, and novice saddle bronc. And since turning pro a decade ago, he’s earned three Ponoka Stampede saddle bronc …
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There’s no question about who the happiest cowboy in Ponoka is after the fourth performance of the Ponoka Stampede. Hands down, it was Craig Weisgerber. The genial steer wrestler had the kind of day dreams are made of. After catching his morning steer in an impressive 4.4 seconds, he came flying down the long score …
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Ty Taypotat knows what it’s like to be close to a Ponoka Stampede championship. But the talented bareback rider from Saskatchewan, who now calls Nanton home, has never quite been able to strap on the cherished buckle. His 2025 quest to get the job done took an important step forward Friday, as Taypotat made an …
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They picked up the speed in the timed events during the second performance of the 89th annual Ponoka Stampede. It was a particularly good day for Taylor Cherry. She now finds herself at or near the top in both her events. The Claresholm cowgirl is making her first trip to Ponoka, and with a pair …
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More than ever, the Ponoka Stampede can be a game changer for pro rodeo athletes. Added prize money in the riding events this year make the stakes even higher. Whether you’re from Brazil, Oklahoma, or even central Alberta, the desire to excel at this rodeo is high. For Nicholas Patterson, the pressure amped up a …
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