By Adam Eisenbarth
It’s great to see cowboys come from every corner of Canada and the United States, but it’s always a little sweeter to see some homegrown Ponoka talent.
Several Ponoka cowboys competed this year in the Ponoka Stampede, a real treat for the spectators.
Team roper Brett Buss competed in his first Ponoka Stampede this year but the pressure to perform for the crowd never crossed his mind.
“It wasn’t any different, I just try to approach it the same way I always do,” said the 20 year-old. Buss is already pushing himself to be a top competitor.
“It was a little disappointing (this week) but we managed to win some money so that’s always good.”
Another hometown cowboy, steer wrestler Chance Butterfield competed in his third Ponoka Stampede and said the hometown experience is still exciting.
“It’s mind-blowing. There’s a lot of extra pressure being in front of the home crowd and (winning this stampede) just being a goal, it’s huge.”
Butterfield is following the footsteps of his grandfather and his parents, who also competed in the stampede. The 23-year-old was pleased with his finals appearance.
“I was really proud of myself for making the finals. I know these are some of the best cowboys in the world I’m competing with.”
Butterfield finished 10th in the finals.
Trygve Pugh is a veteran of the Ponoka Stampede and while he has done well in the past in his hometown, he wasn’t pleased with the results this time.
“It was not a very good week at all.”
Pugh also traveled to Airdrie and Williams Lake for other rodeos and had reason to be frustrated with the busy week. “I had a calf stop on me and I took a horn to the face. Those kinds of things are really frustrating.”
Pugh managed to turn it around quickly for some positive results in Cochrane, sitting second early in the competition. “I’ve just got to keep practicing and you can’t win anything unless you’re entered.”
Steer wrestler Brock Butterfield competed in his fourth Ponoka Stampede and has never been satisfied with the results.
“I haven’t won anything in that stampede but I’ve just got to keep doing what I do and hope things go better. I’d like to turn it around and really do something good next year.”
Saddle bronc rider Luke Butterfield was hoping for better results in Ponoka as well. “I didn’t do too well. I got a bad draw this week, I just didn’t have a chance to win.”
But it wasn’t all bad news for the Ponoka rider.
“I did really well and finished third at Williams Lake so that really rescued my week.”
Though Luke was frustrated by some bad luck on the draw he knows for the most part the animals are high quality for the sport.
“There are some that you just don’t have a chance with but most of them are really good buckers.”
Luke is now competing in the Calgary Stampede.
Tyler Pankewitz had one outstanding bull ride but it was a good week to be a bull, as few riders had success. Pankewitz’s score of 84 gave him a fifth-place finish.
No matter what the results, Ponoka has a lot to be proud of, with these cowboys putting out their best efforts.