The Calgary Stampede kicked off last Friday with more than $1.8 million in prize money up for grabs. In order to win the biggest prize possible, $50,000, athletes will have to take the first critical step of advancing out of their pool.

And the first trio in each event did just that on Sunday when Pool A’s action concluded. They’re on to the final nine, just two rides or runs away from Calgary immortality.

Here’s who is one to Championship Sunday…

World No. 21 Garret Shadbolt had a dominant showing in the bareback riding, winning the first two rounds and $15,500 (70 percent of which goes toward the PRCA World Standings) as the top qualifier in his pool for the second consecutive year.

Shadbolt was 86.5 to win the First Round and followed that with his best ride of the season, an 88 on Calgary Stampede’s Enuff Cherry, to win the Second. He was fifth in the Third Round with an 85 and those three rides boosted him more than 10 spots in the World Standings.

Richmond Champion had the best ride out of Pool A, going 90 on Calgary Stampede’s Shadow Warrior to win the Third Round on the final out of his career. However, it was not enough to move on. Cole Franks with $11,500 and Ethan Mazurenko with $8,625 who rounded out Pool A’s qualifiers.

No. 8 steer wrestler Jesse Brown won the first two rounds as well and also qualified at the top of Pool A.

He was 4.4 to win the First Round and 4.2 to win the Second. The six-time NFR qualifier earned $13,250.

World No. 2 Holden Myers strung together three impressive runs — finishing third, second, and fourth in Pool A’s rounds. Myers earned $12,083 as the second qualifier.

Seth Peterson was the final qualifier with $9,625, making $7,000 of it on the final day with a 4.7-second run to win a muddy Round 3.

Stetson Wright started his Calgary campaign with a Round 1 winning 90-point ride in the bronc riding, however, he failed to qualify out of Pool A. I

It was Lefty Holman, Wyatt Casper, and Allen Boore who are moving on after al three of them cashed a check in all three rounds.

World No. 12 Holman made $14,750, placing fourth, third, and first, the latter of which was a season-high 90 points on Calgary’s Annual News.

Casper was second twice and fourth once in three rounds to earn $13,625 while Boore won the Second Round, which made up a majority of his $8,750.

Along with Stetson, Rusty Wright, and Zeke Thurston were among those eliminated.

In tie-down roping, Haven Meged returned in a big way after being unable to defend his 2024 title due to injury.

Meged won the first two rounds and picked up checks in all three, to qualify at the top of Pool A.

After going 7.8 in the First Round, Meged made a 7.0-second run to win the Second. He qualified with $14,250.

Bryce Derrer finished second with $11,500, making a clutch 7.4-second run to win Round 3.

Stran Dunham cashed three checks for $9,750 and took the last tie-down spot in the pool. He finished sixth, second, and fourth in the three rounds.

There was a three-way tie at the top of the breakaway roping in Pool A, Round 3 and that trio all moved on, leaving Round 1 winner Payton Scalzo and Round 2 winner Shelby Boisjoli-Meged on the outside looking in. Jenna Dallyn led the way with $15,167, Cadee Williams made $14,417, and Celie Salmond won $8,917.

The former school teacher from Minnesota Heidi Gunderson topped Pool A in the barrel racing with 2025 NFR qualifiers Julie Plourde and Emily Beisel filing in behind her. Gunderson won Round 1, Plourde won Round 2, and Beisel finished second in each of the last two rounds.

World No. 15 bull rider T Parker had an impressive three rounds in Pool A, leading the qualifiers with $20,283. Parker bookended his Round 2-winning 88.5 with two second-place finishes and all three of his rides were 86 points or better.

The other two bull riders to advance, Stetson Wright and Lane Vaughan were also 3-for-3.