The Ponoka Stampede Association is announcing a record-breaking number of entries for its 88th annual Ponoka Stampede, set to run from June 25 to July 1, with a total of 542 registered contestants.
According to PSA vice president Bruce Harbin, the last time the Ponoka Stampede saw numbers like this was in 2014.
That’s why they call it the cowboy’s rodeo. Everybody who enters has an equal chance to win,” said Harbin, who also manages rodeo entries.
There’s only a certain amount of room for competitors, Harbin explained: 72 total for each event, except for barrel racing, with 96.
The areas of the most growth are bareback riding, with an increase to 45 from 37 last year; bull riding to 57 from 48; and novice saddlebronc riding to 20, an increase from 12.
These can be some of the toughest rodeo events, said Harbin.
“At Ponoka Stampede we try to have a product that is for the fans."
The timed events are full; that’s team roping, tie down roping, steer wrestling, and ladies barrel racing.
Harbin says the reason for the jump in entries can be attributed to increase in the total prize money this year, at almost $1 million, as well as top-quality stock.
READ MORE: 2024 Ponoka Stampede prize money close to $1M
“We want to have the 12 best competitors on the 12 best stock,” said Harbin. “Every contractor brings their A-list stock.”
That stock includes animals like C5 Rodeo’s Virgil, this year’s face of Ponoka Stampede’s limited-edition poster.
Plus, there is stock from Vold Rodeo Company, the Calgary Stampede, and Kesler Rodeo to name a few.
For Harbin, the success and growth of the Ponoka Stampede is due to the hard work of hundreds of volunteers and the support of the town and county of Ponoka.
“The first word in Ponoka Stampede is 'Ponoka.' It’s the people of this community who make this event what it is,” said Harbin. “My father Gary Harbin said to me that, ‘They’re all like spokes in a wagon wheel and if every spoke is doing its job the wheel goes around.’”
Ponoka News is your source for all things Ponoka Stampede leading up to and during Stampede Week June 25 to July 1. Find more Ponoka Stampede stories here.
