Over 100 competitors ready to wrangle at this year's Stampede
International riders exempted from quarantine but won't interact with public
Americans, Canadians, seasoned veterans and first-time wranglers will converge on Calgary in a few weeks' time to compete at the Calgary Stampede rodeo.
The Stampede released Wednesday its list of more than 100 competitors in six events for the 2021 showcase. The roster is made up of American and Canadian cowboys and cowgirls, with both familiar faces and newcomers among the ranks.
International competitors have been granted an exemption by the federal government to avoid current travel quarantine requirements. Rodeo competitors and their support staff do not have to isolate at a government-approved hotel when entering the country.
Stampede officials have previously said competitors must have at least one shot of vaccine to attend. They will be kept away from the public and will undergo a daily testing program.
Among those competitors entering the country is Illinois native Logan Corbett, the No. 4 ranked cowboy in bareback in the International Professional Rodeo Association standings.
Jared Parsonage, one of the top bull riding Canadians, will also be in attendance. The competition will also feature Alberta riders, including former champion Zeke Thurston, bareback rider Ky Marshall, and barrel racers Jestine Elliott and Nikki Vanderlee.
Tie-down champion Shad Mayfield, along with longtime bull rider Daylon Swearingen and steer wrestler Luke Branquinho will also be in attendance this year.
Calgary Stampede spokeswoman Kristina Barnes said invitations are sent out based on Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association (PRCA) rankings alongside a Canadian component.
She said participants for the barrel racing event this year were selected through world and international rankings as well as a qualifier event, and some invites were sent based on credentials.
“You could say it's a bit like the Masters of golf. There are a number of ways to get invited, but the competitors need to be the best in the world to qualify,” said Barnes.
Ryan Shuckburgh, from Innisfail, will be competing at the Stampede for the first time. The steer wrestler said he has been able to compete in the United States for the past two summers but noted it will be good to get back to Canada.
“It's really exciting, I'll have lots of friends and family there. I mean, a guy grows up watching it and stuff so it'll be cool to go,” said Shuckburgh.
He said he would have been able to return home for Stampede without the exemption, but not having to quarantine in a hotel was a welcome bonus. This will be the first time he has to compete in a bubble-like setting without interacting with the public.
Connor Hamilton, a Calgary bareback rider, will return to the Stampede this year. He said he was in Houston getting ready to ride last year before events started getting cancelled due to the pandemic. After missing out on riding in 2020, he said he's been competing since January and he's excited to return to his hometown event.
“It's huge and I'm super excited and looking forward to it even though it's gonna look a little bit different this year. I mean, it'll still be the Calgary Stampede and the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.”
A full list of competitors can be found online.
The rodeo is running daily from July 9 to 18 with events beginning at 1:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale online, with physically distanced and regular seats available.
After a year of Covid-19-induced financial stress, the prize pool for the 2021 Stampede will be smaller than in past years. Competitors will be looking to take home a share of the $1.5-million prize pool, down from the standard $2 million. However, the reduced winning potential continues to represent one of the largest possible paydays on the pro rodeo circuit.