The Calgary Stampede has more than $1.8 million added and kicks off July 3, featuring 30 barrel racers who qualified from WPRA world standings rankings, Canadian Pro Rodeo Association standings or regional qualifiers. BHN takes a look back at previous Calgary champions and their horses here.
2025: Anita Ellis and SGL Rico – $71,000
Anita Ellis and SGL Rico (“Rico”) set a new arena record at the Calgary Stampede with a 16.79 in Pool A, Round three. Ellis topped all three rounds of Pool A to earn $21,000 and advance to the semifinals, also thanks to RV Two Dash Ta Vegas who ran in the first two rounds. Ellis and Rico ran a 16.956 in the championship round to claim the $50,000.
2024: Leslie Smalygo and Justaheartbeatofame – $68,000
Leslie Smalygo and Justaheartbeattofame (“Gus”) turned in their fastest time of the rodeo, a 16.940 to win the Calgary Stampede and collect the $50,000 paycheck — their second $50,000 win of the year. They also won Rodeo Houston earlier in 2024.
2023: Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi and Jets Top Gun – $66,000
No one had a better summer than Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi. She’s claimed more titles and racked up more earnings over the course of a few months than anyone else in the WPRA world standings, also crossing the $3 million mark in WPRA earnings, putting her in an elite field of two other WPRA cowgirls — Lisa Lockhart and Sherry Cervi. She took home her first Calgary Stampede title aboard Busby Quarter Horses-owned and -bred Jets Top Gun (“Benny”).
2022: Kassie Mowry and Famous Ladies Man – $64,500
Kassie Mowry and Busby-bred gelding Famous Ladies Man (“Emmitt”) took home the Calgary Stampede championship in 2022. The late Michael Boone purchased the gelding from the Busbys as a yearling. He started him on the barrels before passing the reins to Mowry for futurity preparation.
2021: Bertina Olafson and Alive N Smashing – $62,250
The 2021 Calgary Stampede was the first major rodeo Canada has hosted since COVID-19 shutdowns in 2020. Bertina Olafson admitted because of that, she was hesitant to send Alive N Smashing (“Duke”) full speed for that first run at Calgary. After placing in the elimination action rounds, Duke turned in his best time of the event with a 17.247 in the Shootout Round to claim the Calgary Stampede championship.
2019: Lisa Lockhart and Rosas Cantina CC – $104,500
Lisa Lockhart rode 2015 Calgary Stampede champion An Oakie With Cash (“Louie”) through the first three performances. She switched to Rosas Cantina CC (“Rosa”) for the final round in Pool B. In the final round of four, Lockhart and Rosa caught the edge, defeating Hailey Kinsel’s 17.119 with a 17.116.
2018: Hailey Kinsel and DM Sissy Hayday – $121,000
In only two and a half years of competition, the incomparable DM Sissy Hayday crossed the $1 million earnings mark at Calgary. Kinsel and the 7-year-old mare won three performances and topped the final round.
2017: Tiany Schuster and Show Mance – $111,750
The first round of Pool B consisted of sloppy ground thanks to the rainy weather and was Show Mance’s first time running in the mud. In round four, Schuster broke her first of two records that week, setting a new arena record at the historic rodeo with a blazing 16.990.
2016: Mary Burger and Sadiesfamouslastwords – $122,000
One decade after the 2006 World Champion Barrel Racer captured her world title and became the oldest WPRA champion (at 58 years young), Burger and Sadiesfamouslastwords (“Mo”) were back on top of the standings after the 104th edition of the Calgary Stampede.
2015: Lisa Lockhart and An Oakie With Cash – $116,500
Banking $100,000, Lisa Lockhart and An Oakie With Cash (“Louie”) rose to the top of the WPRA world standings after their trip to Calgary. She recalled hauling Louie to Calgary as a 5-year-old, in 2008. At that time, she was campaigning FCS Bugs Out Of Sight and Fast A Gold. Louie just came along for the ride, but Lockhart said she couldn’t help but notice that the young horse had something special.
2014: Kaley Bass and Wonders Cowboy Dan – $115,500
Two-time WNFR qualifier Kaley Bass of Kissimmee, Florida, and her veteran barrel horse, Wonders Cowboy Dan (“Cowboy”), by Wonders Pal and out of Jackies Cowgirl Bar, by Cowboy Dans Bar, who packed home the $100,000 check-and then some.
2013: Jean Winters and Crickets Peppy Zan – $100,000+
Jean Winters came from the back of the pack to win the 101st Calgary Stampede on Crickets Peppy Zan (“Zan”), a 14.1- hand cow-bred gelding.
2012: Sue Smith and Real Claim To Fame – $106,500
Sue Smith and Real Claim To Fame (“Claimer”) made short work of the sloppy Bonus Round conditions at the 100th Calgary Stampede.
2011: Sydni Blanchard and Firewater Five – $122,000
Sydni Blanchard and Firewater Five (“Shotgun”) cashed in big, winning every elimination round, the semifinals and championship round at the Calgary Stampede.
