Cowboy Christmas

The Ponoka Stampede is among the five largest rodeos in the world

Did you know the Ponoka Stampede lands right smack in the middle of Cowboy Christmas every year?

During the first week of July there is over 35 rodeos taking place and there is a tremendous amount of money to be won. This is an extremely important time for the cowboys and cowgirls in the quest to make it to the NFR because a good run during Cowboy Christmas can potentially make or break their chances to enter the Top 15 in the years end!

The Ponoka Stampede is among the five largest rodeos in the world for payouts and the PBR event is the largest single day bull-riding event in the world, attracting competitors from across Canada, the United States and Australia. In 2013, the Ponoka Stampede and the Jace Harty Memorial PBR Event won the PBR Canada Event of the Year! Ponoka Stampede was awarded the 2012 PRCA Remuda Award, which is given to the Rodeo with the best and most consistent pen of horses, creating the best opportunities for contestants to score well. The Ponoka Stampede is the first Canadian Rodeo to be recognized by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association with their REMUDA Award. The Remuda Award was established in 2004 to recognize committees that provide the best horses for competitors. Over 700 rodeos are considered each year.

Did you know

In 2023 the prize money for the cowboys and Chuckwagons surpassed $885,250 making it the second largest award-winning stampede in Alberta with only Calgarys Stampede being larger. The Ponoka Stampede truly reflects the original spirit of rodeos; when small groups of cowboys came together on a ranch to test their skills.

In 2022, The Ponoka Stampede Association Board was named the Committee of the Year by the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association for their hard work and dedication to the sport of rodeo. This is the 14th year in a row; the Ponoka Stampede Association Board has received this honorable award.

80k
Fans

88
years

955k
PRIZE MONEY

800
VOLUNTEERS