This year's Calgary Stampede was one of the most successful ever

This year’s Calgary Stampede, the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth, is one of the most successful the event has ever had, with an attendance over 1.2 million people surpassing last years numbers.

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• 15 mesmerizing photos and videos of Calgary Stampede fireworks

Thanks in large part to the cooperation of the weather, all of the outdoor events were able to go off according to plan, and guests were fully able to enjoy the grounds to their fullest. Not only were there plenty of competitions, games, rides, food and fun, there were plenty of things that happened that made headlines.

Let’s get started and wrap this up!

Stampede Food

Some people come to watch the rodeo, some come to listen to live music, others come for the crazy food the Stampede is famous for. The Daily Hive has been covering the Stampede this whole time, and there are entire articles devoted specifically to the different cowboy cuisines available.

Corndogs were just about everywhere 0n the Stampede grounds. There were so many that it could get overwhelming. That’s why the Daily Hive wrote an article about the 6 best corn dogs that you could find.

Maybe you’re not really one for corn dogs. If that was the case, there was lots of sweet treats that were available at Stampede, and even healthier choices at the grounds to eat.

But Stampede only comes once a year, so why not indulge? Celebrity judges gave their opinion on the best foods of Stampede this year and if you were a cheese fan, there was plenty for you to choose from.

There was also lots of crazy Stampede foods for you to choose from at this year’s great outdoor show and it wouldn’t be a rodeo without a meat heavy barbecue dishes to choose from.

Last but certainly not least, there were literally dozens of free pancake breakfasts around town to indulge in all that syrupy goodness.

Stampede Music Scene

The musical scene at the Calgary Stampede was huge this year with big name acts from many different genres. There were concerts, daily entertainment at Nashville North, free concerts on the Coca-Cola stage and much more.

One such musical performance was from the Toronto-based dance group, Infuzion Artistry. The show, called Elements of Bollywood, was a combination of traditional Indian dance with modern and hip-hop dance. The show went on several times every day of the Stampede, and the multicultural event never failed to draw a crowd. You can read more about that show here.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Last Minute Visit

Diplomatic responsibilities in Europe and the United States that coincided with the Calgary Stampede looked like they would keep our Prime Minister from his visit to the Calgary Stampede, but a last minute rearrange of scheduling made it possible.

The day started out with two pancake breakfasts where Prime Minister Justin Trudeau served crowds, took pictures and held babies, even met his namesake. He then visited the Stampede grounds Indian Village where he accepted traditional gifts, and ended his day the rodeo.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a visit to Alberta for the Prime Minister if a controversy wasn’t following close behind. A handful of comments came his way regarding his slip up during his Canada Day speech where when listing the provinces and territories he forgot to mention Alberta.

More serious comments were heard, however, regarding the recent Omar Khadr settlement where Khadr filed a $20-million lawsuit against the Canadian government for violating his rights as a citizen during his years in an American military prison, and received a settlement reportedly worth $10.5-million.

Despite the controversy, it seemed like most Stampede-goers were happy that the leader of our country was able to celebrate Alberta and Calgary’s western culture at this iconic event.

Rodeo Results

Rodeo and Alberta go hand in hand. In fact, the first rodeo ever held in Canada happened back in 1902 in Raymond Alberta, and it was ten years later that the Calgary Stampede was first established. Western crowds are just as excited to watch cowboys and cowgirls show off their skills today as they were back then, and at the end of the Calgary Stampede, we have six new Calgary Stampede Champions, who won a $100,000 grand prize!

• For Saddle Bronc Riding, we have Zeke Thurston from Big Valley Alberta.
• For Bareback Riding, we have Richie Champion from Dublin Texas.
• For Bull Riding, we have Sage Kimzey from Strong City Oklahoma.
• For Tie Down Roping, we have Cory Solomon from Prairie View Texas.
• For Steer Wrestling, we have Tyler Waguespack from Gonzales Louisiana.
• For Barrel Racing, we have Tiany Schuster from Krum Texas.

Congratulations to the winners! The rodeo events are definitely worth watching next year if you didn’t get the chance this time around.

2017 Calgary Stampede Chuckwagon Champions

Popular across the prairies but done best right here in Alberta, the Chuckwagon Races were first organized as a spectator sport at the 1923 Calgary Stampede. The total prize money the racers were competing for was $275. The rules are a little different and the stakes are a little higher now, but the crowds are just as excited now as they were then. Below are the results of the 2017 races.

Aggregate

Kurt Bensmiller, Dewberry AB

$100,000

Kurt Bensmiller, Dewberry AB

Rookie Driver Award

Dustin Gorst, Meadow Lake SK

Safety Award

Kurt Bensmiller, Dewberry AB

Champion Outriders

1st. Rory Gervais, Mervin SK

2nd. Shawn Calf Robe, Cluny AB

3rd. David Bensmiller (final heat only)

Outstanding Outrider

Rory Gervais, Mervin SK

Agriculture Results

It wasn’t just rodeo and deep fried cookie dough at Calgary Stampede, there was also lots of agricultural competition events and contests. The results of the many different events are listed below.

Heavy Horse Pull, Light Weight

• 1st. Herald Mueller
• 2nd. Rocky Dempsey
• 3rd. Randy Dodge and Stan Grad

Heavy Horse Pull, Middle Weight

• 1st. Gordan MacKenzie
• 2nd. Blair and Michelle Banga
• 3rd. Merle Gallant

Working Cow Horse Classic, Open Bridle

• 1st. Suzon Schall, Foothills AB
• 2nd. Vance Kaglea, High River AB
• 3rd. Clint Swales, Longview AB

Working Cow Horse Classic, Open Hackamore

• 1st. John Swales, Millarville AB
• 2nd. Clint Swales, Longview AB
• 3rd. Dale Clearwater, Hanley SK

Working Cow Horse Classic, Non Pro Bridle

• 1st. Suzon Schaal, Foothills AB
• 2nd. Karnell Perry, Power MT
• 3rd. Carlene Meeks, Airdrie AB

Mercuria NCHA World Series of Cutting Open Finals

• 1st. Clint Allen, Weatherford TX
• 2nd. Tatum Rice, Weatherford TX
• 3rd. Dustin Gonnet, Cayley AB

World Stock Dog Championship Finals

• 1st. Norm Sommer, Pleasantdale SK
• 2nd. Ken MacKenzie, Drayton Valley AB
• 3rd. Milt Scott, Airdrie AB

Cowboy Up Challenge Finals

• 1st. Artie Chance
• 2nd. Magen Warlick
• 3rd. Teala Caton

Heavy Horse Show World Champion Six Horse Hitch

• 1st. Farm–Wareing Shrines. Name–Arlin Wareing
• 2nd. Farm–Carlaw Clydes. Name–Lawrence McGibbon
• 3rd. Farm–Johnson Belgians. Name–Gayle Gerein

Calgary Stampede Cattle Penning 7 Class Finals

• 1st. Leonard Gamache, Danielle Gamache, Christine Gray
• 2nd. Jim Ward, Ty Cornelius, Lani Cornelius
• 3rd. Brent Shaw, Brian Watt, Joanna Watt

Calgary Stampede Cattle Penning Open Class Finals

• 1st. Tom Thorlakson, Justin Armstrong, Travis Kaiser
• 2nd. Graham Armstrong, Russell Armstrong, Travis Kaiser
• 3rd. Ron Mathieson, Donna O’Reilly, Debbie Thompson

Calgary Stampede Cattle Penning 14 Class Finals

• 1st. Louie Saggione III, Erin Hill, Gary Naughton
• 2nd. Shaylene Hunter, Carther Rice, Chrissy Santangelo
• 3rd. Wendy Wenaas, Pat Bolin, Bob Bolin

Calgary Stampede Cattle Penning 10 Class Finals

• 1st. Graham Armstrong, Danielle Gamache, Gabrielle Fouty
• 2nd. Bob Bolin, Rene O’Rourke, Kelly Abels
• 3rd. Tom Thorlakson, Jordyn Alexis, Tucker Brown

Angie Days Extreme Cowboy Race Non Pro

• 1st. Rock Heintz
• 2nd. Heather Burchnall
• 3rd. Jim Wilson

Angie Days Extreme Cowboy Race Pro

• 1st. Joanne Peters
• 2nd. Rock Heintz
• 3rd. Trevor Mertes

Clock, Stock and Barrel Finals

• 1st. Milt Scott, Airdrie AB
• 2nd. Matthew Hedley-Roberts, Valleyview AB
• 3rd. Scott Glen, New Dayton AB