Calgary – Get ready to hold your breath for 8 seconds straight – over and over again – as the best rodeo athletes in the world descend on GMC Stadium for Stampede 2023.
New for this year’s Stampede, an expanded format will feature 30 of the top athletes in each event, broken into three hotly contested pools. The top four athletes in each pool will advance to Showdown Sunday, earning the chance to take a run at the Championship!
“We’re excited to continue to grow The World's Largest Outdoor Rodeo, expanding to 30 contestants in each event for the 2023 Stampede Rodeo,” says Kristina Barnes, Manager of Agriculture & Western Events for the Calgary Stampede. “The Calgary Stampede traditionally attracts the best-of-the-best when it comes to competitors, and this year we’re thrilled to showcase even more of the biggest and best names in the sport.”
The Calgary Stampede is proud to announce the full lineup of athletes who have been invited to compete over 10 action packed days for a shot at becoming 2023 Calgary Stampede Champions.
From multi-event superstar Stetson Wright competing in both Saddle Bronc and Bull Riding, to local sister duo Kylie and Bradi Whiteside racing for family bragging rights and big money in Barrel Racing – the field is packed with the biggest and best names in the sport of Rodeo.
The Whitesides aren’t the only athletes keeping it in the family. The Saddle Bronc event sees Alberta’s Logan Hay, the 2022 Champ, once again joined in the event by brother Dawson. Stetson Wright will be hoping for an all-family final four where he can go head-to-head with his brothers Ryder and Statler, as well as their uncle Spencer Wright.
Bull Riding should be a less contentious topic of conversation for the Wright family, but Stetson is in for steep competition with a field that includes seven-time World Champion, Sage Kimzey, Kimzey’s brother Trey, reigning Canadian Champion Jared Parsonage and 2022 Stampede co-Champion, Dakota Buttar.
Control, attention to detail and close partnership between horse and rider will be key when Barrel Racing takes center stage. Kassie Mowry has the time to beat as the reigning Stampede Champion and current record holder for the fastest time. She’ll be joined by four-time World Champion Hailey Kinsel and Alberta native, Nancy Leischner. Leischner and her horse Trooper recently earned a spot through the 2023 Calgary Stampede Barrel Racing qualifier.
A stacked slate of Steer Wrestlers includes current World Champion Tyler Waguespack and 2022 Stampede Champion Will Lummus. In the Tie Down Roping, 2022 Calgary Stampede Champion Caleb Smidt will have to be fast if he wants to make it two in a row, while three-time Stampede Champion Cory Solomon will be working towards his fourth title.
Competition in the Bareback Riding doesn’t feature any sibling pairs, but it won’t lack for big rides and big scores. The talented field includes six-time World Champion Kaycee Feild, reigning World Champ Jess Pope, and 2022 Stampede Champion Rocker Steiner. Matched up with the best broncs in the business, every ride is sure to have you on the edge of your seat!
Beginning daily at 1:30 p.m., the 2023 Stampede Rodeo is a must-see Stampede experience. Tickets for the Rodeo are now available and include admission to Stampede Park on the day of the event. For the best seats in the house, visit CalgaryStampde.com/tickets.
The Stampede Rodeo is also broadcast daily at 1:30 p.m. MT in Canada on Rogers Sportsnet One and livestreamed on Sportsnet Now. Viewers in the United States can watch live daily on The Cowboy Channel, with the livestream on Cowboy Channel Plus. The Cowboys Rangeland Derby can also be viewed each night beginning at 8:30 p.m. MT on Rogers Sportsnet One and livestreamed on Sportsnet Now.
Bareback Riding – Presented by: Bennett Jones Tanner Aus Caleb Bennett Leighton Berry Clayton Biglow Ty Breuer Taylor Broussard Richmond Champion Mason Clements Cooper Cooke Kaycee Feild Cole Franks Jacek Frost Cole Goodine RC Landingham Orin Larsen Clint Laye Jacob Lees Bradlee Miller Tim O'Connell Sam Petersen Jess Pope Cole Reiner Jayco Roper Chad Rutherford Garrett Shadbolt Kade Sonnier Rocker Steiner Ty Taypotat Dean Thompson Luke Thrash
Barrel Racing – Presented by: Calgary Herald Kelly Allen Emily Beisel Jordon Briggs Bayleigh Choate Margo Crowther Jackie Ganter Sydney Graham Stevi Hillman Wenda Johnson Hailey Kinsel Summer Kosel Nancy Leischner Lisa Lockhart Taylor Manning Megan McLeod-Sprague Shelley Morgan Kassie Mowry Molly Otto Liz Pinkston Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi Jessica Routier Dona Kay Rule Leslie Smalygo Jimmie Smith Shelby Spielman Brittney Sporer Bradi Whiteside Kylie Whiteside Sara Winkelman Sissy Winn
Tie Down Roping – Presented by: Halliburton Beau Cooper Tuf Cooper Marcos Costa Blane Cox John Douch Cash Enderli Trevor Hale Shane Hanchey Ty Harris Kincade Henry Hunter Herrin Westyn Hughes Zack Jongbloed Lane Livingston Kyle Lucas Shad Mayfield Haven Meged Tyler Milligan Brushton Minton Macon Murphy Michael Otero Riley Pruitt Matt Shiozawa Caleb Smidt Clayton Smith Justin Smith Cory Solomon Riley Warren Riley Webb Marty Yates
Saddle Bronc Riding – Presented by: Cenovus Energy Ben Andersen Kole Ashbacher Damian Brennan Chase Brooks Houston Brown Tanner Butner Wyatt Casper Logan Cook Jacobs Crawley Brody Cress Isaac Diaz Parker Fleet Leon Fountain Shorty Garrett Layton Green Ross Griffin Dawson Hay Logan Hay Lefty Holman Sage Newman Ryder Sanford Quinten Taylor Zeke Thurston Kolby Wanchuk Brody Wells Cash Wilson Ryder Wright Spencer Wright Statler Wright Stetson Wright
Steer Wrestling – Presented by: Plains Tucker Allen Bridger Anderson Stan Branco Jesse Brown Tanner Brunner Curtis Cassidy Stephen Culling Hunter Cure Cody Devers Dakota Eldridge Ty Erickson Stockton Graves Scott Guenthner Nick Guy Josh Hefner Kyle Irwin Stetson Jorgensen Eli Lord Will Lummus Tristan Martin Dalton Massey Tanner Milan Rowdy Parrott Cash Robb Timmy Sparing JD Struxness Jacob Talley Dirk Tavenner Tyler Waguespack Jonny Webb
Bull Riding – Presented by: WestJet Silvano Alves Jeff Askey Trey Benton III Dakota Buttar Cooper Davis Josh Frost Wyatt Gleeson Ky Hamilton Jordan Hansen Trey Holston Tristen Hutchings Sage Kimzey Trey Kimzey JB Mauney Lukasey Morris JC Mortensen Tristan Parker Jared Parsonage Maverick Potter Koby Radley Trevor Reiste Coy Robbins Chance Schott Garrett Smith Daylon Swearingen Cody Teel Cullen Telfer Jestyn Woodward Stetson Wright Creek Young
About the Calgary Stampede The Calgary Stampede celebrates the people, the animals, the land, the traditions and the values that make up the unique spirit of the west. The Calgary Stampede contributes to the quality of life in Calgary and southern Alberta through our world-renowned Stampede, year-round facilities, western events and several youth and agriculture programs. Exemplifying the theme We’re Greatest Together, we are a volunteer-supported, not-for-profit community organization that preserves and celebrates our western heritage, cultures and community spirit. All revenue is reinvested into Calgary Stampede programs and facilities.
For more information, please contact: Shannon Greer Manager, Communications & Media Relations Calgary Stampede T 403.585.0467 E sgreer@calgarystampede.com
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