OFFICIAL ANNOUNCERS
Dr. Lynn Phillips
Dr. Lynn Phillips is not only a Pro Rodeo announcer, he also wears many other hats. He is a physician, a cowboy poet, an artist and many other jobs. As a professional Rodeo Announcer he has been privileged to announce rodeos all across the United States and Canada.
Including being chosen as part of the announcing team at the National Finals Rodeo, the National Circuit Finals Rodeo, WPRA National Finals, Senior Tour National Finals, the AQHA World Show, the National Reining Horse Futurity and many of the most prestigious rodeos around the world including sharing the announcing duties here at the Ponoka Stampede with Les McIntyre.
Les McIntyre
Les McIntyre has been attending the Ponoka Stampede for 42 years. As a stable hand in the mid 70’s for the Willard and Nelson chuckwagon outfits,then as a wagon sponsor for the Ross Nelson outfit in the late 70’s.A brief stint as a wagon driver in the early 80’s prompted a career change in 1984 and has him in his 33’rd year as the official Voice of the World Professional Chuckwagon Association and for the last 9 years as the voice of The Calgary Stampede’s GMC Rangeland Derby. Also in his 24’th year as a Pro Rodeo Announcer and CPRA Gold Card member,Les has announced the Canadian Finals Rodeo 9 times and Twice has won the CPRA Announcer of the Year Award. Les is extremely proud to be a part of the Ponoka Stampede’s Rodeo announcing Team for the last 15 years and the Ponoka Stampede’s Pro Chuckwagon Announcer for over 20 years. Les describes the Ponoka Stampede as one of the best run organizations in all of Pro Rodeo in North America! Les and his wife Kelly reside near Lake McGregor, AB.
Dianne Finstad
Dianne Finstad is a familiar face and voice in Alberta's rodeo and farm communities. She spent over 30 years covering agriculture and rodeo from Red Deer through TV, radio and print, including the popular TV program called Makin' 8. Her rodeo coverage was acknowledged with the Bell Memorial Award for sports reporting from the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame in 2018. Now working as a communications specialist, she does a variety of projects; ranging from writing agriculture stories, to hosting at conferences, to interviewing rodeo champions at places like the Ponoka and Calgary Stampedes. Dianne is a Board Director for Lakeland College and Red Deer’s Westerner Park. She grew up in southern Alberta, where her family has ranched for more than a century. Dianne brings an unparalleled wealth of media and communication skills along with passion and enthusiasm to the Ponoka Stampede Media Team. We hope you enjoy her daily Stampede Stories, highlight wrap-up videos, behind the chute interviews and announcing.
Gary J Gross
Gary is excited to be back behind the microphone at the Ponoka Stampede! Being born and raised near Ponoka, he is proud to announce his hometown show. Gary has over a decade of experience as a Professional Rodeo and Chuckwagon Announcer. He has announced rodeos from Fort McMurray, Alberta to Albuquerque, New Mexico. He is one of the announcers of the World Professional Chuckwagon Association and the WPCA World Finals. When not on the road announcing, Gary and his wife own and operate Four Seasons Clothing in Lac La Biche where they call home. Visit his website at teamdoubleg.com
Brett Gardiner
Brett Gardiner is the most-awarded western sports announcer in Canadian history. As the eleven-time and reigning Canadian Pro Rodeo Announcer of the Year, Gardiner has educated and entertained audiences across North America. Brett has been behind the microphone at some of the most celebrated events, including the Canadian Finals Rodeo and the Calgary Stampede. Since 2016, he has been featured on the PBR Canada Cup Series on TSN. When not announcing, Brett works as a mental health therapist and mental performance coach and resides in Sylvan Lake, AB with his wife and their three children.
OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHERS
Shellie Scott
Shellie Scott is a professional photographer with both the World Professional Chuckwagon Association & Canadian Professional Rodeo Association, holding valid memberships with each since 2014. Shellie was the recipient of the WPCA Media Award in 2018 & 2022. Shellie works full time in the Oil & Gas industry as a Drilling Professional Licensee (Engineering) and catches up with the WPCA/CPRA as her wonderful employer (Tristar) allows her to work remotely during the season. One of Shellie's passions is the equine athletes themselves, paying special attention to the Steer Wrestling horses and the Chuckwagon Outriding horses. (Website)
Covy Moore
Covy Moore of Airdrie, AB got his start in the western events business volunteering with the Airdrie Pro Rodeo Committee. Choosing to pursue rodeo photography and marketing full time in 2016, while covering as many events prior to that as possible, he has made a living showcasing the western and rodeo community in a up-close and personal angle.
Today, Moore continues his work in the rodeo and bull riding arena, working for brands such as YETI and Cinch, managing imaging for organizations like the Calgary Stampede, PBR Canada, Canadian Finals Rodeo and numerous other events throughout western Canada including the Ponoka Stampede. (CovyMoore.com)
Carlie Borris
Carlie and her husband Ryley Borris live on a farm near Warburg, AB, with their 3 children. Running her own photographer business for over 11 years now and a CPRA photographer since 2016. When she is not at a rodeo Carlie shoots weddings throughout the summer.
Growing up in the rodeo world, she took to the timing quickly. Ponoka Stampede has always been a favorite of hers, watching at young age when her father (Terry Leeder) was a pick-up man. Website
OFFICIAL MEDIA
Jeffrey Heyden-Kaye
Ponoka Stampede Media Liaison and Media Trailer Manager
- Work with area media for accreditation and press coverage of Ponoka Stampede
- First point of contact for media-related questions including interview requests and scheduling
- Assist with press releases and delivery of information to media
- Manage media trailer for speakers, media, CPRA photographers
- Communicate Ponoka Stampede results daily online and to media as needed
- Field media questions to appropriate channel or expert
Alicia Erickson
Alicia Erickson has wore many hats inside the Ponoka Stampede arena, as a past Miss Ponoka Stampede (2018), Miss Rodeo Canada (2021/2022), and now returning for her second year as a sideline reporter.
Alicia grew up in Trochu, AB but has always called Ponoka her second home. She has a passion for sharing the “behind the scenes” events of rodeo and its athletes, and bringing detailed stories to life for those who don’t get to live it themselves. This is what led her into creating her own business called Socially Alicia, where she focuses on social media management, videography, and content creation within the western industry.