On Sunday, thousands of people dressed in plaid descended on Falkland B.C., for the province’s largest rodeo.
The three-day Stampede is a staple in the small community and the event on May 21, saw a full spectator attendance, as local artisan shops and food trucks dotted the rodeo grounds.
The day started with a breakfast from 8-11 a.m, before Cowboy Church at 10:30 a.m. Then the parade took place at 12:30 p.m, before the main event rodeo got going around 2 p.m. Spectators were treated to bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, bull riding, saddle bronc and tie-down roping from the best cowboys and cowgirls in the world.
Falkland is a stop on the Canadian Pro Rodeo Association schedule, and whereLogan Bird established himself as one of the most consistent tie-down ropers in the game. His winning effort at the Falkland Stampede was more of what fans have come to expect from the Nanton, Alberta roper.
Bird was a rapid 8.1 seconds for the win – which netted him $1,908 and moved the 2017 Canadian Champion into third place overall in the early season Canadian standings and into second spot in the Maple Leaf Circuit standings.
“This is the most money I’ve ever won at this point in the season,” said the 29-year-old. “I’ve placed at every rodeo but one so far and I’d like to keep that going. The year I won Canada was the only year I didn’t really have a cold spell. I’m hoping for another year like that one.”
It was the first time Bird has won Falkland.
“I’ve had my ups and downs there. I’ve been second twice but the one I remember was my first time there. I was in high school and I was 7.6 at the high school rodeo in Strathmore. I drove all night to get to Falkland and I was thinking I’m ready to really do something. I got the whistle there—didn’t even get my calf tied. I learned real quick the difference between high school rodeo and pro.”
Bird was quick to give a bunch of credit to his amazing horse—Peso.
“The calf I had at Falkland wants to jump by you to the left when you go to flank him but Peso is so quick with that first step back after he stops that a calf like that isn’t a problem. A good horse you can win on 50 per cent of the calves. An elite-good horse, like Peso, you can win on 80 per cent of the calves. That’s the difference.”
Another remarkable 2023 rodeo season story continued in British Columbia as Tate and Kagen Schmidt found themselves in familiar territory—at the top of the leaderboard. This time around, the unstoppable Barrhead, Alberta duo posted a 4.4 second run for the win, their fourth in the last six runs dating back to their record-setting 3.3 second blur in the final round of the Agribition Maple Leaf Circuit Finals (which count in this year’s standings). The lights-out tandem extended their lead atop the Canadian standings with earnings just shy of $9,000 and a comfortable cushion over Tristin Woolsey and Trey Gallais who were second at Falkland and are now second in the season standings as well.
A couple of first-time winners in CPRA competition also highlighted the weekend’s action as Grande Prairie bull rider Jett Lambert mastered the Macza bull, Ugly This, to the tune of 87 points for a $1,333 payday. And second-generation barrel racer, Jayden Wilson also hit the winner’s circle for the first time as her 16.34 second run netted the Gleichen cowgirl $1,732.
For complete unofficial results go to rodeocanada.com
Next CPRA action will be the first SMS Equipment Pro Tour Rodeo of the season—the Buffalo Lake Metis Settlement Rodeo at Caslan, Alberta May 27 and 28.
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@B0B0Assman
bowen.assman@vernonmorningstar.com
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