Calgary Stampede 2015 Highlights

Despite intermittent rain, the Calgary Stampede took place as scheduled from July 3 through July 12. From the time the gates at Stampede Park opened until 10 days later, 1,168,509 spectators visited exhibits, attended shows, enjoyed the carnival-like midway and cheered every afternoon for each cowboy and cowgirl who competed in the richest rodeo on the planet.

Prize money totaled more than $2 million. Professional Western athletes from Canada and the United States thrilled crowds while vying for top ranking in six main events.

Trevor Knowles

The Winner’s Circle

The Stampede in Calgary, Canada started off with a celebratory parade that boasted marching bands, more than 100 elaborately decorated floats and hundreds of horses and riders. Each afternoon at 1:30 P.M., male and female contestants entered the rodeo arena and fearlessly put their steeds through their paces.

Zeke Thurston

After each event, the top cowboy or cowgirl advanced to the next round of competition. By Sunday, the winners were announced and each walked away with a check for $100,000. Athletes deemed champions for the 2015 Calgary Stampede included:

• Bull Riding-Sage Kimzey from Strong City, Oklahoma
• Saddle Bronc Riding-Zeke Thurston representing Big Valley, Alberta
• Bareback Riding-Clint Laye hailing from Cadogan, Alberta
• Tie Down Roping-Timber Moore from Aubrey, Texas
• Steer Wrestling-Trevor Knowles represented Mt. Vernon, Oregon
• Barrel Racing-Lisa Lockhart from Oelrichs, South Dakota

This year’s Canada Stampede was sponsored by the Ak-Chin Indian Community and the Earnhardt Auto Road Team. The Cowboy Lifestyle Network provided the dates, details and times of the celebration. They additionally feature information about numerous Western events throughout the year.

History of the Calgary Stampede

In 1912, traveling Western performer Guy Weadick ventured to Calgary and offered to host a six-day presentation he called the “Frontier Day Celebration and Championship. The idea appealed to four wealthy local ranchers who agreed to support the endeavor.

The rodeo included bronc riding and roping cowboy competitions along with saddle bronc and trick riding cowgirl contests. The show was a success and Weadick sought to make the event an annual festivity. However, the Great Depression materialized. The fallen economy and recovery took priority over celebrations.

Kaycee Feild

Nevertheless, six years later, the ranchers contacted Weadick and invited him to coordinate efforts to present the Victory Stampede, which was organized as a celebration after the end of the First World War.

In July of 1923, the Stampede merged with the Calgary Exhibition. The event introduced the now popular chuckwagon pancake breakfast. The Western celebration became an annual festival and soon attendance exceeded 200,000. The city continued hosting the rodeo that commemorated historic Old West traditions.

Last Updated on 04/30/2019 by Aaron Kuhl

About the Author:

Aaron Kuhl

Biography:

Aaron Kuhl is a passionate advocate for the western lifestyle, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to his role as Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Cowboy Lifestyle Network (CLN). Growing up as an Arizona native, with a mother who worked for Wrangler Western for over 30 years, Aaron was immersed in the cowboy culture from a young age. Aaron and his sister Heather grew up watching rodeos, as their grandfather and uncle were PRCA ProRodeo cardholders. This early exposure has given him a profound understanding and appreciation for the western way of life.

Aaron went to Corona del Sol High School in Tempe, AZ, then to the University of Arizona in Tucson, AZ, where he received a Bachelor of Science after creating his own major. This unique course of study wove together Business Marketing, Geography, Sociology, Philosophy, and Religion.

After graduating from the University of Arizona, Aaron joined CLN in its nascent stages, contributing to its growth and development over the past decade. As COO, Aaron manages operations, using AI to streamline processes and analyze data, ensuring CLN remains a leading voice. With expertise in business development, he innovates and cultivates client relationships, supporting CLN’s exponential growth.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Aaron values his faith, family, and friends, which are the cornerstones of his life. This personal foundation, combined with his professional expertise, makes him a trusted and authoritative voice in the western lifestyle community.

Aaron’s commitment to philanthropy is the bedrock of his personal ethos. He actively supports local Arizona organizations such as the Boys & Girls Club, Chandler Compadres, Horses Help, Harris Brothers Charity Foundation, and the American Heart Association (among others), reflecting his dedication to giving back and strengthening the community he calls home.

Through his work, Aaron aims to preserve and promote the traditions of the west, ensuring that the spirit of the cowboy lives on for future generations.

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