102 Years of the Falkland Stampede
Kolby Wanchuk hasn’t forgotten the way his 2021 Canadian rodeo season ended. The Sherwood Park, AB bronc rider was bumped from Canadian Finals Rodeo contention on the final stop of the regular campaign. This weekend at the 102nd Falkland Stampede, the second generation cowboy took another step toward ensuring that history would not repeat itself.
“I don’t want to miss the CFR again,” Wanchuk admitted. “I’ve been getting to the spring rodeos and I want to do whatever it takes to get back to the Finals. That’s one of my goals for this year. You can’t win a Canadian title if you’re not at the CFR.”
The 25-year-old rode Macza Pro Rodeo’s +2 Big Surprise to 86 points and the first place cheque of $1226. The win will consolidate Wanchuk’s hold on fourth place in the Canadian standings and keep him solidly in the top 15 in the World.
“I’d seen this horse quite a bit, but this was my first time on him,” Wanchuk noted. “He’s not a big horse but he tries really hard. He had a couple of big jumps at the start and then was really nice.”
Things will start heating up for Wanchuk and all CPRA contestants as the 2022 rodeo season moves into high gear. “We’ll be going back and forth across the border pretty well every week. From Reno in June to the end of August, there are rodeos almost everyday. And I want to get to every one I can.” Wanchuk is especially looking forward to the CPRA (SMS Equipment) Pro Tour events. “I want to get to as many of the 11 Tour rodeos as I can because that money makes a big difference in the Canadian standings.”
Great weather and record crowds were on hand in Falkland, BC throughout a weekend that saw several other outstanding performances. A pair of 90 point rides highlighted the weekend action with reigning Canadian Bareback Champion, Clint Laye, navigating Macza’s award winning 118 OLS Tubs Stevie Knicks to first place and $1188 in the bareback riding. That effort was matched by 2016 Canadian Champion bull rider Jordan Hansen who posted his 90 point ride on Macza’s D 180 Big City Life - good for $1398. Other Falkland champions included tie down roper, Clayton Smith who clocked an 8.5 second run for $1962; steer wrestler Quentin Branden who was 3.9 seconds ($1426), team ropers Dawson and Dillon Graham whose 4.4 netted $1512 for each. Ladies barrel racing saw a one-two split between Lynette Brodoway and Bradi Whiteside who were 16.38 seconds for $1544 each. Breakaway roper, Kylie Whiteside posted a 2.44 to win her event and pocket $994. The novice saddle bronc event also saw a tie with Colton Powell and Devon Hay marking 69 points for $224 each while in the junior steer riding, Nash Loewen was 82 points for $329.
