Carson Ellis
For Ponoka News
The Ponoka Stampede has announced big changes to its bull riding competition this year.
Earlier in June, the Ponoka Stampede Association announced they are now considered a Tier 1 competition with the Professional Bull Riding Association.
This means that they are now more points to be earned and more cash to be won. Professional Bull Riding (PBR) general manager for Canada Jason Davidson said that the change came as part of the PBR’s continuing efforts to attract the best bull riders from around the world.
In 2021, the Ponoka Stampede’s Wild West PBR event was awarded the title of PBR Canada event of the year.
The Wild West PBR event in Ponoka is an important stop on the PBR Canada tour with the top performers competing in Edmonton.
The extra money and the extra points promise to attract the best riders competing for the national title, and will certainly ride some of the best bulls around.
According to the PBR, Tier 1 events are those that pay out $25,000 or more, while Tier 2 events range from $17,500 to just under the $25,000 mark, and Tier 3 can range from $12.5 to just under $17,500.
Each year the events on the PBR lineup are evaluated based on points and monies awarded the previous years, and how much money they can commit to the event.
The Wild West PBR event is in its third year this year.
Out of 25 bull riders, only the top 10 will be deemed Wild West Champions. Many of those registered to compete in the Wild West competition will be competing in other events during the rodeo as well.
Davidson expresses his congratulations to the Ponoka Stampede for their continuing efforts to bring the best bull riding event that they can, and to constantly be making it better.
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