Final day of Pool B decides who advances to Showdown Sunday and who will battle it out on Wildcard Saturday at the Calgary Stampede
Photo by Covy Moore/covymoore.com
CALGARY, Alberta – The struggle was real on Friday at the Calgary Stampede, as Pool B contestants battled it out for a spot among the top four money winners to advance directly to Showdown Sunday.
Current, and five-time world champion Sage Kimzey was on the bull riding bubble Friday, but the Oklahoma man rose to the challenge, strapping a 91-point ride on Nickle Package, for first place and a $5500 boost.
“We’ve seen him around for a long time. He’s one that gives a lot of guys fits but he always bucks hard, and he’s always going to give you a chance to win,” commented Kimzey. “Those are the kind that us bull riders (need), especially in kind of a sudden death deal like today was. There was a few of us that had to stay on to have a chance to make it forward, me being one of them.”
In fact, in what’s a rare occasion at Calgary, every single one of the bull riders made the whistle Friday afternoon.
Kimzey is glad to have Wild Card Saturday off, and he plans to head to the mountains before Sunday’s big test.
“I’ll take the day for me tomorrow and just go relax and get my mind right for Sunday.”
Also sitting out Wild Card Saturday from Pool B bull riders are Jose Vitor Leme, who tied with Kimzey at the top with $12,500 each; Ryan Dirteater ($10,500); and Cody Teel ($8500).
Shane Hanchey had calculated what he needed to do, as one of four tie-down ropers sitting with $7000 in their Stampede accounts coming into Day 8.
“I had to win something, no doubt,” stated the current Canadian champion. “I had the calf that I thought fit my style and my horse. Cory (Solomon) was seven flat on him yesterday. He leaves and runs. I knew if I got the start down, that I could tie him as fast as I want.”
And it was speedy, matching the fastest time of the week at 6.8 seconds, nettin him an all-important $5500, and sending him straight through to Sunday as one the highest money winners of Pool B with $12,500. That left the rest of the crew scrambling in behind, and when the dust settled, joining Hanchey in a day off on Saturday are Cory Solomon ($12,500); Tuf Cooper ($11,500); and Ryan Jarrett ($8500).
While Kody Dollery was the fastest steer wrestler Friday, with a 3.6 second run, the $5500 bonus was his first Calgary cash, so he’ll be back for Wild Card Saturday.
“I wish this was the first day, but I’m glad I got ‘er done on Day 4 of my pool. We’ll just have to go at ‘em again tomorrow, and then hopefully on Sunday.”
Kyle Irwin, of Alabama, managed to catch last hole Friday, so he dominated Pool B with $17,000; followed by two Louisiana men Tyler Waguespack ($11,500); Jacob Talley ($10,000); and Montana’s Ty Erickson ($8500).
When it comes to Pool B saddle bronc qualifiers, make it three Wrights and a Hay. The roll continues for the young Wildwood hand, and Dawson Hay looked on top of the world when he was first man out and posted an 88 on the scoreboard for his eight seconds aboard Chin Lee. But on this day, Ryder Wright nodded his head for Xemplary Bubbles and managed to eke out one more point, collecting his first day bronze of this Stampede with an 89 mark.
Hay was the number one money winner of Pool B, placing first or second in every go-round, amassing $20,000. Ryder Wright came in next ($12,000), brother Rusty followed ($7750) and ‘uncle’ Spencer rounded out the Finalists ($7000).
It was a case of ‘a lot, but too late’ in the bareback riding, where Mason Clements emerged the high man of Day 8. He made a pretty 88-point ride on a horse called Blue Bananas .The $5500 for first bumped Clements to $8,000 for Pool B but he wound up in the ‘crying hole’, just outside the top four.
Those who can avoid the stress of Wild Card Saturday in the bareback riding are Tanner Aus ($15,000); Caleb Bennett ($12,500); Wyatt Denny ($10,500) and Clayton Bigelow ($10,500).
Make it a clean sweep in the barrel racing for Hailey Kinsel and Sister, who dominated for the fourth consecutive day, rounding the pattern in 17.03 seconds. Their Calgary account sits at $22,000, high atop Pool B.
Also coming directly to Showdown Sunday from Pool B are Jennifer Sharp ($11,500); Emily Miller ($8750) and in a tie-breaker, Lisa Lockhart ($7500). Her second place finish Friday gave her the edge over Amberleigh Moore, who also had $7500.
When no one in the Tier 1 Junior Steer riding made the whistle in Friday’s finals, the Stampede championship was shared by two cowboys. Both Landen Horsley of Slave Lake and Dusty Golden of Mayerthorpe had marks of 74.5 on their first ride, giving them the honors.
For full results from the Rodeo, click here
*Courtesy of the Calgary Stampede
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 promotes western heritage and values. All revenue is reinvested into Calgary Stampede programs and facilities.
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