Calgary Stampede rodeo draws newcomers claiming Monday victories

Three first-time competitors claimed victories Monday at the Calgary Stampede, marking an unusually strong opening for riders making their debut at the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.

Bareback rider Roedy Farrell of Wyoming won his event with an 87.5 score aboard Side Show, earning $7,000. Saddle-bronc rider Coleman Shallbetter of Colorado matched that score on Business Girl, also taking first money. Bull rider Noah Lee of Texas, at 18 years old, posted a 90.5 ride aboard Shaboozie to claim the bull-riding bronze.

Farrell, 21, said he hadn't expected to win on his first trip to Calgary. "It was like a dream — it was awesome," he said. "Them are the kind of ones you dream about to draw at your first Calgary Stampede."

Shallbetter noted the intensity of the crowd. "Definitely a lot louder than you think," he said. "You know, it kind of makes the hair stand up on the back of your neck, with all the people in the stands in the big arena."

Lee, the hottest bull rider on the planet according to Sportsnet broadcasters, is second only to Tristen Hutchings in world bull-riding rankings. He told the crowd: "I've always wanted to be here and always wanted to come to Canada. It's pretty cool. I like the bulls up here, and I like the people. Y'all are pretty nice up here."

Meanwhile, steer wrestler Ty Erickson, the 2024 Calgary Stampede champion, got his repeat bid off to a strong start Monday with a co-share of first place. His 4.0-second run matched Oregon's Dalton Massey, each earning $6,250. Erickson, 35, won the 2019 world bulldogging title and said the difficulty of winning back-to-back Stampede titles at the sport's highest level never leaves his mind. "It's hard here just because you have the best guys in the world, and you've got the best horses in the world, and when you put those two together, it's so extremely hard to win anytime," he said.