Dirt is flying at the 83rd annual Ponoka Stampede this week.
Local cowboys and cowgirls performed well on day 1 and action heated up on Day 2.
Spur Lacasse managed to edge Jake Vold on Day 2 in Bareback Riding. Lacasse, of Calgary, put up an 88.25-point ride on Kesler Champion Rodeo’s Sundance Kid to take over the lead. Vold of Airdrie still sits second after an 88-point ride on Imperial Beach Tuesday to open the event.
Orin Larsen of Inglis, Man., had the second best ride of the afternoon with an 84.25 and Wyatt Denny was just behind with an 84.00.
Jake Pratt is the top man in Tie-Down Roping after two performances. With an 8.2 on Tuesday, his 10.1 had him just out front of the pack at 18.3 seconds. Chad Johnson of Del Bonita is third in 18.5 seconds and Red Deer County’s Virgil Poffenroth is fourth with 21.2 seconds.
Texas native Hunter Cure is leading the way in Steer Wrestling. His 13.0 seconds combined time included a 4.9 on Wednesday afternoon. Innisfail Ryan Shuckburgh had a no time in the opening performance and a 6.1 on Wednesday.
Eckville’s Ben Anderson had a strong showing on Wednesday in the Saddle Bronc. With an 84.5-point ride on Sparks Fly. He’s fourth overall after two performances, as Chase Brooks leads the way with an 86.50-point ride on Willowbrook.
Erich Rogers and Paden Bay sit first in team roping. They’re combined time of 11.5 seconds is two seconds ahead of second place. Ponoka products Brett Buss and Klay Whyte sit fourth after day 2.
Jennifer Sharp had the top barrel racing time on Wednesday with a 17.839. Hailey Kinsel of Texas still leads the way with a 17.511 on day one and Tammy Fischer is second at 17.751. Innisfail product Sydney Daines is ninth after an 18.085-second trip on Day 1.
Only Brazil’s Italo Aguilar had the only qualified ride on Day 2 of bull riding. He posted an 82.75 on All Fired Up and sits third overall. Michael Ostashek had an 84.50 on Ivy League on Tuesday to lead the way.
The rodeo will feature an afternoon performance each day until Monday, where after a week-long showing, competitors earn a spot in the final.
Email sports tips to Byron Hackett
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