Ponoka Stampede directors welcomed members of the media and corporate sponsors at the 89th Ponoka Stampede Media Day on Monday, June 23 at the Wolf Creek Golf Resort.
Local Ponoka cowgirl Macy Auclair, the 2024 Canadian breakaway champion, was one of the speakers during the event.
"I'm honoured to be representing the inaugural class of breakaway ropers of the 2025 Ponoka Stampede," said Auclair.
"It's a surreal feeling, knowing that in just a couple of days, we have the opportunity to run down the legendary longscore of the Ponoka Stampede. Personally, this has been a dream of mine," said Auclair.
"The Ponoka Stampede is, and always has been, such an iconic venue that we are so thrilled to now be a part of. Canada has absolutely blazed the trial in pursuit of adding breakaway roping to professional rodeo and we are so grateful that Ponoka has chosen to join the charge," she said.
"I am excited for the committee, the fans and everyone to experience what we've known all along: the ladies of breakaway roping have unmatched determination, grit and talent and we cannot wait to share it with you."
The event, led by rodeo announcer Les McIntyre, included a press conference and lunch, followed by an afternoon of golf.
One of the first orders of business was to acknowledge media day was a tradition started by late Stampede director Blair Vold and his family.
Vold passed away on May 11, 2025.
A moment of silence to honour Vold was held before the press conference continued.
"Today we celebrate what is about to be a week-and-a-half of the most fun you're going to have at any rodeo in the world," said McIntyre.
"The showdown round of the Ponoka Stampede is talked about around the world."
The Ponoka Stampede will be broadcast live on the Cowboy Channel.
The Ponoka Stampede now has 80,000 followers on Facebook, 86,000 on Instagram and over 700,000 views on social media in the past week - making its followings surpass the Calgary Stampede Rodeo account and the Cheyenne, Wyoming Frontier Days, McIntyre announced.
"We would not be here, if not for the Vold family," said PSA president Rick Wierzba at the start of his speech.
"Ryan (Vold's) vision built this place - Ralph ... and the rest of the family - to carry it out so we're more than pleased to be back."
Wierzba noted the Stampede added $75,000 in prize money this year, brought in breakaway roping, and the theme is a salute to their bullfighters past and present.
"We're looking forward to another great year," said Wierzba.
Ponoka Mayor Kevin Ferguson was then called up to say a few words.
"What's it like to be mayor of Ponoka during the Ponoka Stampede?" said Ferguson.
"It's freakin' amazing."
One of the reasons, he said, is because of the long-standing connections and history of the Stampede.
"This isn't a lighthearted commitment that this community has made. This is an incredible thing that passes on from generation to generation," said Ferguson.
"I know that we've lost Blair ... I know this - this thing that's going on for 89 years is in good hands and it will continue to go on, probably for more than 89 more years."
McIntyre then introduced the Ponoka Stampede bullfighters: Brett Monea, Tanner Byrne and Ty Prescott.
He noted this year's poster, which features the bullfighters, was created by local artist Donna King.
"Bullfighters are truly the unsung heroes of rodeo," said McIntyre, quoting Dr. Lynn Phillips.
"If you were to grasp the legs of a track star, add a PhD in worldwide psychology, sprinkle in a double measure of intestinal fortitude - do that all together the paint the face, add to the package a pair of baggy Wranglers, what you have is the grease-painted matador, the rodeo bullfighter."
The 89th annual Ponoka Stampede officially kicks off on Wednesday, June 25, with the first rodeo performance of the week starting at 6:30 p.m.
Find all you need to know about the Ponoka Stampede at Ponoka News.
