There is a reason the Ponoka Stampede is heralded as one of the top rodeos in North America.
After a week of gruelling competition against the world’s top athletes and some of the best stock professional rodeo has to offer, the top 12 cowboys and cowgirls in each event will compete in the Ponoka Stampede Pro Rodeo Finals.
They’ll have to dig deep to battle the elements and the clock, trust their gut and with the right amount of luck, win a spot in the top four to advance to evening Stampede Showdown.
Those who prove their mettle to make it to the Showdown will compete for $60,000 added money per pro rodeo event.
READ MORE: 2024 Ponoka Stampede prize money close to $1M
The 88th Ponoka Stampede Showdown starts after the rodeo finals finish and is an event that is known to fill the stands with roaring fans.
The apex of Stampede Week, the Stampede Showdown kicks things off with the All Pro Rodeo Canadian Chuckwagons $10,000 Dash for Cash.
The top eight wagons in the aggregate standings after the first four days of racing put it all on the line in this semi-final round.
In the semi-final, drivers get to choose their heat and their barrel position — and it all plays out in front of a packed grandstand.
The stakes, and the adrenaline, only climbs higher for the drivers with the top four times from the semi-final round, advancing to the coveted Tommy Dorchester $75,000 Dash for Cash.
With a colossal cash prize on hanging in the balance, drivers and their teams of outriders give it their all in the winner-takes-all final, championship heat. The winner of that final heat becomes the Ponoka Stampede Champion.
The 2024 event will see 36 teams of thoroughbred horses running in nine heats of four chuckwagons per heat in front of a packed grandstand.
At the conclusion of the chuckwagon championship heat, the stage is set for the Ponoka Stampede Pro Rodeo Showdown. This final round determines which cowboys and cowgirls will win the title of 2024 Ponoka Champion in their event.
The evening is capped off with the Cattle Raffle final draw for $75,000 or 40 bred heifers, and the Ponoka Stampede Showdown Round Mega Cash Raffle draw.
Grab your tickets while you can.
WPCA World Chuckwagon Finals
Come back to Ponoka at the end of the summer to watch the WPCA World Chuckwagon Finals live and in person from Aug. 28 to Sept. 1.
The WPCA Finals, to be hosted by the Ponoka Stampede, will be the last event of the scheduled nine-event season. The five-day finals will wrap up with a championship dash for cash to close out the 2024 WPCA race season.
READ MORE: Rodeo events at the heart of Ponoka Stampede
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.
