Ponoka Stampede

PHOTOS: Ponoka at the Canada Winter Games

PHOTOS: Ponoka at the Canada Winter Games

Town of Ponoka and Ponoka Stampede Association represented at Winter Games

PHOTOS: Ponoka at the Canada Winter Games
Alberta’s rodeo world was sent into sadness after the passing of Ponoka cowboy Bud Butterfield. This file photo of Bud was taken during the Ponoka Stampede Tarp Auction in 2017 when the association featured Bud on its collectible poster. File photo

Ponoka cowboy Vernon (Bud) Butterfield passes away

The Ponoka Stampede Association announced his passing Friday

Alberta’s rodeo world was sent into sadness after the passing of Ponoka cowboy Bud Butterfield. This file photo of Bud was taken during the Ponoka Stampede Tarp Auction in 2017 when the association featured Bud on its collectible poster. File photo
Ponoka Stampede president Bruce Harbin

Ponoka Stampede Association sees new director

The association is readying itself for a busy season and new facilities

Ponoka Stampede president Bruce Harbin
New suites construction begins: Ponoka Stampede’s Wild West Suites construction started Nov. 15. Eagle Builders has been hired to construct the executive suites, which are expected to be ready for the 2019 edition of the Ponoka Stampede. The association unveiled its plans to construct the new suites at its WPCA tarp auction this year. Photo by Jeffrey Heyden-Kaye

PHOTO: Ponoka Stampede new suites construction begins

The Ponoka Stampede Wild West Suites construction has begun

New suites construction begins: Ponoka Stampede’s Wild West Suites construction started Nov. 15. Eagle Builders has been hired to construct the executive suites, which are expected to be ready for the 2019 edition of the Ponoka Stampede. The association unveiled its plans to construct the new suites at its WPCA tarp auction this year. Photo by Jeffrey Heyden-Kaye
Ponoka RCMP were busy during the Ponoka Stampede week with 333 calls for service. Photo by Jeffrey Heyden-Kaye

Ponoka RCMP busy during Stampede week

Among the 333 files were 3 stabbings, assaults, thefts, among others, however, police were active

Ponoka RCMP were busy during the Ponoka Stampede week with 333 calls for service. Photo by Jeffrey Heyden-Kaye
Lester Gurnett, who was recognized with the legends award in 2017, stands by as Brenda Vold unveils his display June 26 at the Canadian Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame. Photo by Jordie Dwyer

Canadian Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame inductees displays unveiled

Ponoka-based hall showcases historical artifacts of 2017 inductees

Lester Gurnett, who was recognized with the legends award in 2017, stands by as Brenda Vold unveils his display June 26 at the Canadian Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame. Photo by Jordie Dwyer
The annual Ponoka Stampede parade June 29 was no dog day afternoon, even if Ponoka’s Central Vet Clinic was all about the canines as part of their entry. Photos by Jordie Dwyer

PHOTOS: 2018 Ponoka Stampede parade

This year’s parade theme was a salute to the 2019 Canada Winter Games

The annual Ponoka Stampede parade June 29 was no dog day afternoon, even if Ponoka’s Central Vet Clinic was all about the canines as part of their entry. Photos by Jordie Dwyer
Photos by Jordie Dwyer and Jeffrey Heyden-Kaye

PHOTOS: Looking back at the Ponoka Stampede

Some of the highlights from the busy and action packed Ponoka Stampede

Photos by Jordie Dwyer and Jeffrey Heyden-Kaye
WPCA outrider Gage Flad gives some help to Thomas on one of the ‘bucking’ stations at the annual rodeo challenge on June 30. Photo by Jordie Dwyer

Ponoka Stampede Rodeo Challenge maintaining its stride

After 19 years, annual special event for kids still going strong

WPCA outrider Gage Flad gives some help to Thomas on one of the ‘bucking’ stations at the annual rodeo challenge on June 30. Photo by Jordie Dwyer
Ponoka Stampede director Blake Butterfield was this year’s 2018 recipient of the Legendary Achievement Award of the Canadian Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame. Here Butterfield works the timed event chutes at this year’s Ponoka Stampede. Photo by Jeffrey Heyden-Kaye

Ponoka Stampede’s Blake Butterfield recognized for rodeo dedication

Butterfield was awarded the 2-18 Legendary Achievement Award from the CPRHF

Ponoka Stampede director Blake Butterfield was this year’s 2018 recipient of the Legendary Achievement Award of the Canadian Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame. Here Butterfield works the timed event chutes at this year’s Ponoka Stampede. Photo by Jeffrey Heyden-Kaye
Veteran driver, and third generation chuckwagon man, Rick Fraser has made his final appearance at the Ponoka Stampede, as he will hang up the reins later this month following 25 years at the helm. Photo by Jordie Dwyer

Two-time world champion Rick Fraser marks final Ponoka Stampede

Veteran chuckwagon driver of 25 years set to retire after the season ends

Veteran driver, and third generation chuckwagon man, Rick Fraser has made his final appearance at the Ponoka Stampede, as he will hang up the reins later this month following 25 years at the helm. Photo by Jordie Dwyer
Joe Frost managed a decent showdown score of 78.5 on Night Moves. While it wasn’t the best ride of the week, it was the only qualifying ride, which garnered the buckle and a total purse of $21,227. Photos by Jeffrey Heyden-Kaye

Ponoka Stampede closes with several first time winners

Ponoka athletes just miss the win in the showdown round to packed stands.

Joe Frost managed a decent showdown score of 78.5 on Night Moves. While it wasn’t the best ride of the week, it was the only qualifying ride, which garnered the buckle and a total purse of $21,227. Photos by Jeffrey Heyden-Kaye
Ponoka Stampede heads into final day

Ponoka Stampede heads into final day

Some Ponoka and area competitors remain in the hunt for a Stampede title

Ponoka Stampede heads into final day
Hardisty’s Lane Watt holds on for a strong ride June 30 on the fifth day of the Ponoka Stampede. Watt managed to hold on but scored a 69.25, not enough to get him in the top 12. Photo by Jeffrey Heyden-Kaye

Ponoka team ropers in top 12 spot so far

As Ponoka Stampede day 5 closes, Ponoka team ropers land themselves in the runnings

Hardisty’s Lane Watt holds on for a strong ride June 30 on the fifth day of the Ponoka Stampede. Watt managed to hold on but scored a 69.25, not enough to get him in the top 12. Photo by Jeffrey Heyden-Kaye
Airdrie’s Jake Vold makes a solid 88.75 ride on Not Crystal Friday afternoon to land him the first place spot of the bareback riding at Ponoka Stampede. The top 12 competitors in each event will head to the rodeo finals July 2 for a chance at the top four final rodeo showdown in the evening. Photos by Jeffrey Heyden-Kaye

Jake Vold takes the lead at Ponoka Stampede

Ponoka Stampede’s fourth day of rodeo was full of thrills and spills.

Airdrie’s Jake Vold makes a solid 88.75 ride on Not Crystal Friday afternoon to land him the first place spot of the bareback riding at Ponoka Stampede. The top 12 competitors in each event will head to the rodeo finals July 2 for a chance at the top four final rodeo showdown in the evening. Photos by Jeffrey Heyden-Kaye
Shayna Weir from Ponoka rounds the number two barrel in her barrel racing run Thursday at the Ponoka Stampede, with a time of 17.837 which has her currently in seventh spot. Photo by Jordie Dwyer

Ponoka contingent scoring top points at Stampede

Thursday was big for many Ponoka and area competitors as the Ponoka Stampede nears halfway mark

Shayna Weir from Ponoka rounds the number two barrel in her barrel racing run Thursday at the Ponoka Stampede, with a time of 17.837 which has her currently in seventh spot. Photo by Jordie Dwyer
Second day filled with sunshine and good scores

Second day filled with sunshine and good scores

Day two of the Ponoka Stampede saw moves in some events and the start of chuckwagon racing

Second day filled with sunshine and good scores
JR Vezain comes out of the chute in the bareback Wednesday and has the lead after scoring an 86.5. Photo by Jordie Dwyer

Second day filled with sunshine and good scores

Day two of the Ponoka Stampede saw moves in some events and the start of chuckwagon racing

JR Vezain comes out of the chute in the bareback Wednesday and has the lead after scoring an 86.5. Photo by Jordie Dwyer
Stampede Senator: Joe Dodds speaks to attendees of the Ponoka Stampede media launch June 26 at the Wolf Creek Golf Resort. Dodds was recognized as a Stampede Senator for his many years of dedication as a Stampede director and for helping raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for the organization through the cattle raffle. Dodds was a director for many years and was president, and then past president in recent years. Photo by Jeffrey Heyden-Kaye

PHOTO: Ponoka Stampede recognizes a past director

Former Ponoka Stampede director Joe Dodds was recognized for his years supporting the association

Stampede Senator: Joe Dodds speaks to attendees of the Ponoka Stampede media launch June 26 at the Wolf Creek Golf Resort. Dodds was recognized as a Stampede Senator for his many years of dedication as a Stampede director and for helping raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for the organization through the cattle raffle. Dodds was a director for many years and was president, and then past president in recent years. Photo by Jeffrey Heyden-Kaye
Bull fighter Brett Monea keeps a close eye on this bull rider as the first day of the Ponoka Stampede closes with the bull riding event. Photos by Jeffrey Heyden-Kaye

Ponoka Stampede gets out of the gate

The 82nd version of the largest seven-day rodeo in Canada started last night

Bull fighter Brett Monea keeps a close eye on this bull rider as the first day of the Ponoka Stampede closes with the bull riding event. Photos by Jeffrey Heyden-Kaye
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