Roper Jarrett enjoys profitable opening day
Cowboys get an early start with parade before making it to the winner’s circle
A trio of first-day winners at the Calgary Stampede rodeo had early morning wake-up calls even though they weren’t slated to compete until later in the afternoon.
Tie-down roper Ryan Jarrett as well as bareback and saddle-bronc riders Richie Champion and Layton Green were all among a group of rodeo competitors who rode in the Calgary Stampede parade on Friday morning.
“They contacted me about riding in it this year, so I did,” said Jarrett, of Comanche, Okla., who posted the fastest time of 7.1 seconds in the first go-round of tie-down roping event to win the top day-money prize of $5,500. “We got up about 6 a.m. and started that deal. It was crazy. It’s amazing how many people come out and watch the parade.”
It’s safe to say that Jarrett enjoys competing at the Stampede considering he won the tie-down roping title in 2009 before returning the next year and setting the arena record of 6.3 seconds.
“I like Calgary,” Jarrett said. “It’s been good to me. I enjoy coming here and roping.”
Although it’s Champion’s fourthstraight year competing in Calgary, it was his first time riding on horseback through the streets of downtown past thousands of parade goers.
“It’s early in the morning, but it’s worth the time,” said Champion, of Dublin, Texas, who posted a score of 89 atop Twin Cherry to edge out Airdrie’s Jake Vold (87 on Wild Child) for top spot. “I was re- ally glad I did. It was an awesome experience for that many people to come out to support this. We’re excited for our own reasons getting to ride here, but seeing the community coming out and the support that’s behind it makes it even more special and exciting.”
After riding in the parade for two hours, Champion was raring for the bareback event to get started.
“I was looking forward to Twin Cherry by the time I was done with it,” said Champion, whose horse during the parade was a bit fidgety. “What can you expect? That many fireworks and people and noise, you’re going to have to work a little to keep him in line.”
After waving to parade-goers in the morning, Green later triumphantly pumped his fist to the crowd after an impressive ride of 91.5 points aboard Stampede Warrior.
“I was excited,” said Green, who hails from Meeting Creek, Alta. “I was happy to have her. If I could have picked one out of that pen, that was the one I would have picked, so I was ecstatic.”
This is Green’s second time competing at the Stampede, and it was his first parade experience.
“It was a lot of fun,” said Green, who further summed up his Stampede rodeo experience by saying: “If this one doesn’t get your blood pumping, I don’t think any of them will. It’s an awesome experience and a great atmosphere around here.”
Meanwhile, Day 1 rodeo champ Jess Lockwood enjoyed getting to sleep in prior to his Stampede rodeo debut.
“I got some beauty rest before,” said Lockwood, of Volberg, Mont., who was happy he didn’t have to wake up early for the parade. “I’m 19-years-old. I’m a kid that’ll sleep in until 2 in the afternoon if you let him.”
STRAWS THE LIMIT
Tanner Milan would like nothing more than to equal his brother Straws accomplishment of winning the steer wrestling championship at the Calgary Stampede.
“I’ve dreamed about the Calgary Stampede ever since I was a little kid playing around in the yard,” said the Cochrane resident, who kicked off the 2017 competition Friday by posting the afternoon’s fastest time of 4.2 seconds.
“It’s just lots of family, lots of support around here. I look forward to coming in here every year.”
While Straws won the $100,000 top prize in 2011, Tanner’s best showing was back in 2015 when he finished third.
“My brother’s won it before, though,” Milan said. “I’ve got to win ’er here this year, so he doesn’t have all the bragging rights around the house. I’ve just got to keep drawing good and just keep making solid runs.”
PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT
An early morning practice session paid off for Kimmie Wall and her horse, Foxy, on Friday.
Aboard Foxy, Wall set the pace on the opening afternoon of ladies barrel racing action with a time of 17.35 seconds.
“She nailed the first barrel,” said Wall, of Roosevelt, Utah, who noted that Foxy benefited from an early look at the course setup. “I let her feel the ground and let her see where that first barrel was.”
Although Wall and Foxy qualified for Championship Sunday at the Stampede last year, they weren’t able to advance to the final-four showdown for the big prize money.
“I did make it through the wild card into the finals last year,” said Wall. “I had a blast. It was so much fun.”