Tie-down roper Zack Jongbloed builds Stampede momentum ahead of Showdown Sunday
The Louisiana native claimed top prize Friday with a 7.4-second run and has earned $13,250 so far, putting him in strong position for the rodeo's final matchups.
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Zack Jongbloed is riding strong early momentum at the Calgary Stampede rodeo, claiming top prize Friday in tie-down roping and positioning himself well for Showdown Sunday's marquee matchups.
The Louisiana native split top prize money on Day 1 of Pool C action, then won outright Friday with a time of 7.4 seconds and the $7,000 first-place cheque. He has earned $13,250 so far at this year's Stampede.
"Feels great. You know, it means a lot," Jongbloed said. "Getting a cheque that first day kind of builds some momentum heading into the next couple of days."
Jongbloed credited preparation and pattern-reading for Friday's win. "I knew kind of the pattern he was going to run," he said of his steer. "I'm not sure how he's going to be on the ground, but I tried to keep him standing and make him take the tie, and that's what happened."
Other top performances Friday included bareback rider Mason Stuller of Hat Creek, California, posting a Pool C Day 2-best score of 88.5 aboard Great News. Stuller, whose family travelled from the United States to watch him compete, sits second in Pool C standings behind Texas cowboy Luke Thrash.
In bull riding, TJ Gray of Dairy, Oregon, stayed aboard Wing It for the full eight seconds to score 86 points and claim top prize. Gray leads Pool C after covering both of his bulls over two days and has earned $12,500, putting him in excellent position to advance to Showdown Sunday.
Barrel racer Kassie Mowry of Dublin, Texas, continued her strong week, adding another $7,000 to her earnings with a time of 16.73 seconds and leads the overall standings with $14,000.
