The Calgary Stampede is one of rodeo’s ultimate prizes. The mix of CFR and NFR champions, provides an annual spectacle that brings well over 1 million people through the gates of GMC Stadium each year.

It’s a 10-day show in Alberta’s largest city, where each day offers a new opportunity. Every one of the nine Pool Rounds awards $7,000 to that day’s event winner, all leading up to the $50,000 grand prize on Championship Sunday.

BAREBACK RIDING

Stat to Know: Each of the last two years, the winner of The Calgary Stampede has been 92 points or better on C5’s Virgil.

What Happened Last Year: RC Landingham won the Semifinals with 89.5 points and then followed it up with 94 points on Virgil to win the whole thing.

Athletes to Watch: Richmond Champion is the only bareback rider in the field with multiple Calgary Stampede titles and Pool C includes him as well as fellow past champions Tanner Aus and RC Landingham. Red-hot Rocker Steiner is up in Pool B.

STEER WRESTLING

Stat to Know: There has only been one Canadian winner since 2011.

What Happened Last Year: Ty Erickson was second in Pool B and then second in the Semifinals before a 4 flat in the Finals won him his first career Calgary Stampede.

Athletes to Watch: Will Lummus and Stetson Jorgensen are both past Calgary champions and recently battled it out for the Reno title, Jorgensen also made the Finals in 2024. Scott Guenthner, the 2023 champion, finished fifth in the Semifinals a year ago.

SADDLE BRONC RIDING

Stat to Know: Since 2021, Zeke Thurston has made 17 straight rides of 83 points or better in Calgary. He is also a three-time champion.

What Happened Last Year: After some confusion, it was determined Kade Bruno and Zeke Thurston were both 92 points and Bruno went on to best Thurston 92.5-90.5 in a head-to-head Showdown Round.

Athletes to Watch: Brothers Logan and Dawson Hay won in 2022 and 2023 with Dawson riding more than half of his horses for 85 or more points this year. Brody Cress, the 2021 champion, enters on a streak of seven straight rides of 83.5 points or better, five of them 86.5 or more.

TIE-DOWN ROPING

Stat to Know: In 2024, every round-winning time except one was 7.5 seconds or faster. There were 22 runs total that were 7.5 or faster across 11 Go-Rounds of competition.

What Happened Last Year: Haven Meged was 6.7 in the Finals to best Macon Murphy, John Douch and Kincade Henry. Also, Shad Mayfield made a 6.4-second run in Pool A, which was one-tenth off Tuf Cooper’s arena record.

Athletes to Watch: With Haven Meged out due to injury, Shad Mayfield is undoubtedly the fastest in the world in this setup. Also look out for the Pool B trio of Ty Harris, Shane Hanchey and Riley Webb.

BARREL RACING

Stat to Know: An Alberta native has not won the barrel racing since Lindsay Sears in 2008, the longest drought of any event. The next closest is in the bareback riding, which last had an Albertan champion in 2015.

What Happened Last Year: As part of her career year, Leslie Smalygo was 16.94 in the Finals to win. Hailey Kinsel took second.

Athletes to Watch: The two best hopes for the host province are two-time and reigning Canadian Champion Taylor Manning and Jennifer Neudorf, who just won Ponoka with the fastest run of the rodeo in the Finals. Also, Kassie Mowry and Hailey Kinsel will both be competing in Pool C.

BULL RIDING

Stat to Know: None of the last three PRCA World Champions – Stetson Wright, Ky Hamilton and Josh Frost – will be competing.

What Happened Last Year: Chase Dougherty and Jeff Askey shared the title after no one rode in the Finals. It was the second tie in the last three years in the bull riding.

Athletes to Watch: World No. 2 Wacey Schalla and World No. 3 Tristen Hutchings both have a chance to catch Stetson Wright with a victory.