Big Valley’s Zeke Thurston secured his fourth Calgary Stampede title on Sunday.
After winning the saddle bronc competition at the Stampede from 2015 through 2017, Thurston found himself in the winners circle again this year thanks to a 92.5 point effort aboard C5’s Virgil. He says “mucho respect for that horse and the C5 crew, that’s an amazing horse. That’s a once in a life time kind of animal. To be able to get on him a couple times like I have is very special, so you really cherish those moments.” Thurston’s 92.5 was good enough to outscore Wildwood’s Dawson Hay who posted a 90 point ride in the short go.
Other winners at the 2025 Calgary Stampede rodeo included two from Idaho – Anita Ellis in barrel racing (16.956 seconds), and Cooper Cooke in bareback (94 points).
New Mexico’s Shad Mayfield was tops in tie down roping (6.8 seconds), Oklahoma’s Wacey Schalla finished first in bull riding (86 points), and Utah’s Trygg Madsen was the winner in novice saddle bronc.
Other Albertans who emerged victorious at the Calgary Stampede included Scott Guenthner from Provost in steer wrestling (3.7 seconds) and Langdon’s Shelby Boisjoli-Meged in breakaway roping (2.2 seconds). This was the inaugural year for breakaway roping as one of the major events at the Stampede and she was thrilled to be the winner. She says “this is the best day of my life. I don’t think I’ll ever forget this day for the rest of my life. In front of my whole family, my hometown, this is amazing. You know, having my family all here watching me – it is the best feeling in the world.”
Also coming up with wins were two Albertans in the novice events with Bluffton’s Quaide Skjonsberg in novice bareback and Donalda’s Rex Curtis in junior steer riding.
Winners in the seven major events at the 2025 Calgary Stampede (July 4-13) took home cheques for $50,000.
Special thanks to Arnie Jackson for supplying audio throughout the 2025 Calgary Stampede.
