Teamwork, strategy and horsemanship were on full display during the opening day of the Team Cattle Penning Championships, presented by Petrus Resources. Tom Thorlakson, Graham Armstrong and Justin Armstrong delivered the fastest performance in the Open Class, penning 12 head of cattle in a winning time of 126.73 seconds to claim top honours.
"We got super lucky. We couldn't have had better draws, so because of that we were lucky enough to win," said Thorlakson, who has competed alongside twin brothers Graham and Justin Armstrong for about 20 years. "And the crowds were amazing. It was wonderful to be able to pen in front of that many people."
The Team Cattle Penning Championships began with a qualifying event held last week, where the top 20 teams in four classes—Open Class, 10 Class, 14 Class and 7 Class—earned their place in the finals.
The championship continues today and tomorrow in the Nutrien Western Event Centre as competitors battle for Calgary Stampede titles in one of Canada's premier showcases of speed, precision and teamwork on horseback.
The Calgary Stampede Team Cattle Penning Championships are sanctioned by the Canadian Team Cattle Penning Association (CTCPA).
All results for the Calgary Stampede Team Cattle Penning Championships can be found on this page.
Recent Stories
Team cattle penning kicks off on day 2 of the Calgary Stampede
July 4, 2026Teamwork, strategy and horsemanship were on full display during the opening day of the Team Cattle Penning Championships, presented by Petrus Resources. Tom Thorlakson, Graham Armstrong and Justin Armstrong delivered the fastest performance in the Open Class, penning 12 head of cattle in a winning time of 126.73 seconds to claim top honours.
Behind the Barn Doors: How Stampede Animals Prepare for Their Stay
July 4, 2026Agriculture has always been at the heart of the Calgary Stampede, and that tradition continues today. Every day, agricultural demonstrations fill the barns with educational opportunities as volunteers and their animals welcome thousands of visitors.
Caviar, anyone? One of the world's rarest delicacies is waiting at the Calgary Stampede
July 4, 2026When you think of Calgary Stampede food, towering burgers, deep-fried treats and colourful Midway creations probably come to mind. Caviar? Maybe not.