Ninety minutes later, ‘weekend warrior’ is competing for $50,000 champion’s cheque
Jacob Stemo was amped to be in the stands for his home-town rodeo Thursday.
But then he got the call — out of the blue — to actually compete in the shootin’ match.
And that dang-sure drove up his excitement for the Calgary Stampede.
“I got the call at 11:55 to come down here and get on,” said the Calgarian of the 90-minute notice to gear up for the bareback event after Oklahoma’s Jayco Roper bowed out of The Greatest Outdoor Show On Earth.
“Thank God I’ve got an apartment downtown,” continued Stemo. “My office is a block away, so I ran to the apartment, grabbed my gear, hopped into my truck and headed here.
“I started to feel the adrenaline in traffic on the way here.”
Not long after, he used it for a solid ride in his first of — at least — three days of bareback in his sudden second appearance at Stampede.
The last time Stemo was in the show at GMC Stadium was back in 2019.
But that was planned.
“I’m in oil and gas sales, so it’s a busy week down here,” Stemo said. “I was planning to come to the rodeo anyway. I had some guys that invited me. I was going to come down and have the day and night to be around people. But I got the call.”
He first had to connect with his boss at Newpark Drilling Fluids to get clearance to leave work early
“He said give ’er — go get the money,” Stemo said. “Then I called the guys that I was supposed to be down here with and said, ‘Hey, I’m riding.’ And they were kind of thrown off by that, so they asked, ‘Where you riding?’ I said, ‘At the Stampede rodeo.’ And they said, ‘No way!’
“So they scrambled and found another guy to come down here with them, and I got in my truck and grabbed my gear and hustled my butt off to get here.”
And not long after he was riding in his second Stampede — with dad in the stands on short notice and the home-town crowd loving the late addition — after making the finals back in his 2019 debut.
“There were a few things I was disappointed in myself about on the ride,” continued Stemo. “But happy to be here … here we are, and hopefully it helps out with my oil-patch sales.
“Great day — couldn’t be better.”
Well … maybe some money from the ride would’ve made it better.
But the 80-point score he posted on She-La left him just shy of the cash.
He was just 0.5 back of sixth spot, the last of the pay-holes.
“This would only be about 10th or 12th horse I’ve been on since the fall of 2022,” Stemo said. “I’m still a competitor, but I’m on the backburner now.”
Indeed, Stemo has only been a part-time rodeo participant — or ‘weekend warrior’, as he puts it — the last five years.
He hasn’t rodeo’d in the United States since 2019, and COVID got him into the oil-and-gas business.
But he did attend the Canadian Finals Rodeo in 2022.
“After the 2022 season, I thought I’d better retire,” Stemo said. “I turned 30, so I said, ‘I’ll hung em up and go into the downtown sales life.’
“This spring, I thought maybe I’ll make one more run to the CFR, so I’ve been to about 10 rodeos this year.”
But nothing compares to getting an invite — no matter how late it comes — to the Stampede.
Just ask Utah’s Dean Thompson, who scored an 87 aboard Flap Jack for the first-place prize of $7,000 Thursday.
“You go for it — be all in here,” Thompson said. “This is the most amazing opportunity we get in the world. We get to ride in maybe the most recognized western event in the whole world, really.
“So why not just go for it? And being excited about it changes the attitude completely.”
Thursday’s winner was excited for Stemo, to boot.
“I tell you what would go through my head is, ‘How fast can I get there?’” Thompson said. “Obviously that went through his.
“I mean … this is a stage unlike any other. If this was my hometown rodeo, I might be taking the cowboy (all-the-way-right shoulder) lane to get there — whatever you’ve got to do to get there on time.”
If not for his job, perhaps Stemo wouldn’t have gotten there at all.
The emergency call to arms came up under an unknown number. While Stemo didn’t answer the phone, he did respond by text afterward to find out why his number was rung.
“I don’t pick up calls from unknown numbers,” Stemo said. “But it’s part of the sales gig to follow up and say, ‘Jake here. I don’t have this number. How can I help you?”
Turns out, it was about how they can help him.
And he didn’t even know he was on a standby list for Stampede.
“I think they knew I was in town,” added Stemo. “And I’ve been showing my face again, placing at some rodeos this year. So somebody must have had my number and liked me enough to give me a call.”
CALGARY STAMPEDE ($1.8 million)
BAREBACK
POOL C
Thursday — Day 4
1. Dean Thompson (Altamont, Utah), Flap Jack, 87.0 points, $7,000; 2. Jacob Lees (Caldwell, Idaho), Tootsie Roll, 85.0, $5,500; 3. Lane McGehee (Victoria, Texas), Mucho Dinero, 81.5, $4,500; 4. Garrett Shadbolt (Merriman, Neb.), Sesame Street, 81.0, $3,250; 5. Sam Petersen (Helena, Mont.), Weary Joke, 80.5, $1,500; 5. Orin Larsen (Inglis, Man.), Cowboy Project, 80.5, $1,500; 7. Jacob Stemo (Calgary, Alta.), She-La, 80.0, $0; 7. Kody Lamb (Sherwood Park, Alta.), Lipstick Letters, 80.0, $0; 9. Mason Stuller (Veneta, Ore.), Descending Rocket, 79.0, $0; 10. Jesse Pope (Waverly, Kan.), Pretty Woman, 78.5, $0.
BARREL RACING
POOL C
Thursday — Day 4
1. Hailey Kinsel (Cotulla, Texas), 16.94 seconds, $7,000; 2. Leslie Smalygo (Shiatook, Okla.), 17.08, $5,500; 3. Summer Kosel (Glenham, S.D.), 17.35, $4,500; 4. Stevi Hillman (Weatherford, Texas), 17.38, $3,250; 5. Wenda Johnson (Pawhuska, Okla.), 17.47, $2,000; 6. Halyn Lide (China Spring, Texas), 17.57, $1,000; 7. Jordon Briggs (Tolar, Texas), 17.71, $0; 8. Sara Winkelman (Big Lake, Min.), 17.82, $0; 9. Taylor Carver (Broxton, Ga.), 22.66, $0; 10. Kassie Mowry (Dublin, Texas), 27.32, $0.
JUNIOR STEER RIDING
Thursday — Day 4
1. Davis Young (Leader, Sask.), 74.5 points, $4,000; 2. Brodi Beasley (Patricia, Alta.), 74.0, $2,500; 3. Jett Lockie (Waskada, Man.), 73.5, $1,500; 4. Levi Robbins (Daysland, Alta.), 72.0, $1,000; 5. Walker Thomson (Maple Creek, Sask.), 47.0 (re-ride), $700; 5. Gunnar Smith (Bentley, Alta.), bucked off, $700; 5. Colt Richards (Crossfield, Alta.), BO, $700; 5. Mason Gratrix (Ponoka, Alta.), BO, $700.
TIE-DOWN ROPING
POOL C
Thursday — Day 4
1. Cory Solomon (Prairie View, Texas), 8.0 seconds, $7,000; 2. Pecos Tatum (La Plata, N.M.), 8.7, $5,500; 3. Ty Harris (San Angelo, Texas), 9.7, $4,500; 4. Garrett Elmore (Springer, Okla.), 12.0, $3,250; 5. Joel Harris (San Angelo, Texas), no time, $0; 5. Macon Murphy (Keatchie, La.), NT, $0; 5. Tyler Milligan (Pawhuska, Okla.), NT, $0; 5. Tom Crouse (Gallatin, Mo.), NT, $0; 5.Quade Hiatt (Canyon, Texas), NT, $0; 5. Marty Yates (Stephenville, Texas), NT, $0.
SADDLE BRONC
POOL C
Thursday — Day 4
1. Logan Hay (Wildwood, Alta.), Exciting Bubbles, 89.5 points, $7,000;2. Wyatt Casper (Miami, Texas), Betrayed Cankaid, 89.0, $5,500; 3. Dawson Hay (Wildwood, Alta.), Trump Card, 86.5, $4,500; 4. Allen Boore (Axtell, Utah), Birch Bubbles (re-ride), 84.5, $2,625; 4. Kade Bruno (Challis, Idaho), Zelda’s Whitney, 84.5, $2,625; 6. Cole Elshere (Faith, S.D.), Lacey Mae, 84.0, $1,000; 7. Ben Andersen (Eckville, Alta.), Sunday Sinner, 83.5, $0; 8. Traylin Martin (Faith, S.D.), Baby Kibitz, 80.0, $0; 9. Brody Cress (Hillsdale, Wyo.), Elapsing Moon, 71.5, $0; 10. Ryder Wright (Beaver, Utah), Debt So Long, bucked off, $0.
STEER WRESTLING
POOL C
Thursday — Day 4
1. Bridger Anderson (Carrington, N.D.), 4.1, $6,250; 1. Trisyn Kalawaia (Hilo, Hawaii), 4.1, $6,250; 3. Harley Cole (Okotoks, Alta.), 4.7, $4,500; 4. Tanner Brunner (Ramona, Kan.), 4.8, $3,250; 5. Cody Devers (Perryton, Texas), 5.0, $2,000; 6. Kyle Irwin (Robertsdale, Fla.), 5.5, $1,000; 7. Cole Walker (Springtown, Texas), 17.1, $0; 8. Cash Robb (Altamont, Utah), no time, $0; 8. Tyler Pearson (Atoka, Okla.), NT, $0; 8. Ty Miller (Wainwright, Alta.), NT, $0.
BULL RIDING
POOL C
Thursday — Day 4
1. Chase Dougherty (Decatur, Texas), Smoke Bomb, 87.5, $9,083; 2. Jeff Askey (Athens, Texas), Wolf Bait, 86.5, $7,583; 3. Cooper James (Erda, Utah), Tiger Torch, 75.5, $6,583; 4. JR Stratford (Byers, Kan.), Rust Bucket, slap, $0; 4. Jeter Lawrence (Hitchita, Okla.), TG Shepard, bucked off, $0; 4. Ky Hamilton (Mackay, Australia), Hot Potato, BO, $0; 4. Clayton Sellars (Wildwood, Fla.), Vintage Oak, BO, $0; 4. Dustin Boquet (Bourg, La.), London Fog (2nd re-ride), BO $0; 4. Callum Miller (Airdrie, Alta.), Wild Time, BO, $0; 4. Tyler Bingham (Howell, Utah), Haunted Creek, BO, $0.
TEAM ROPING
FINALS
First round
1. Jr. Dees/JC Flake, 3.9 seconds, $2,128 each; 2. (tie) Dawson Graham/Dillon Graham and J.C. Yeahquo/Kollin VonAhn, 4.1, $1,711 each; 4. Tyler Wade/Wesley Thorp, 4.2, $1,295; 5. Levi Simpson/Logan Cullen, 4.5, $1,017; 6. Brady Tryan/Calgary Smith, 4.6, $740; 7. (tie) Luke Brown/Travis Graves and Tate Schmidt/Tyrel Flewelling, 4.8, $324 each.
Second round
1. Cyle Denison/Tanner Braden, 3.9 seconds, $2,128 each; 2. Brenten Hall/Kaden Profili, 4.0, $1,850; 3. (tie) Kash Bonnett/Landen Glenn, Logan Bonnett/Keely Bonnett, Clint Summers/Jake Long and J.C. Yeahquo/Kollin VonAhn, 4.3, $1,156 each; 7. Kavis Drake/Braden Brost, 4.4, $463; 8. Tyler Wade/Wesley Thorp, 4.5, $185.
Third round
1. (tie) Brenten Hall/Kaden Profili, Brenten Hall/Kaden Profili, Brenten Hall/Kaden Profili and Brenten Hall/Kaden Profili, 4.4 seconds, $1,064 each; 2. (tie) J.C. Yeahquo/Kollin VonAhn, J.C. Yeahquo/Kollin VonAhn, J.C. Yeahquo/Kollin VonAhn and J.C. Yeahquo/Kollin VonAhn, 5.2, $925 each; 3. (tie) Aaron Tsinigine/Ryan Motes, Aaron Tsinigine/Ryan Motes, Aaron Tsinigine/Ryan Motes and Aaron Tsinigine/Ryan Motes, 5.6, $786 each; 4. (tie) Tyler Wade/Wesley Thorp, Tyler Wade/Wesley Thorp, Tyler Wade/Wesley Thorp and Tyler Wade/Wesley Thorp, 7.3, $648 each; 5. (tie) Kavis Drake/Braden Brost, Kavis Drake/Braden Brost, Kavis Drake/Braden Brost and Kavis Drake/Braden Brost, 9.5, $500 each; 6. (tie) Levi Simpson/Logan Cullen, Levi Simpson/Logan Cullen, Levi Simpson/Logan Cullen and Levi Simpson/Logan Cullen, 9.6, $500 each; no other qualified runs.
Finals
1. J.C. Yeahquo/Kollin VonAhn, 4.1 seconds, $12,500 each; 2. Tyler Wade/Wesley Thorp, 4.4, $7,500; 3. Brenten Hall/Kaden Profili, 4.5, $5,000; 4. Aaron Tsinigine/Ryan Motes, 8.8, $2,500.
Average leaders
1. (tie) J.C. Yeahquo/Kollin VonAhn and J.C. Yeahquo/Kollin VonAhn, 17.7 seconds on four head each; 3. (tie) Tyler Wade/Wesley Thorp and Tyler Wade/Wesley Thorp, 20.4 each; 5. (tie) Brenten Hall/Kaden Profili and Brenten Hall/Kaden Profili, 23.0 each.
BREAKAWAY ROPING
FINALS
First round
1. (tie) Taylor Munsell and Joey Williams, 1.8 seconds, $1,989 each; 3. Kelsie Domer, 1.9, $1,573; 4. (tie) Martha Angelone, Shaya Biever, Makayla Boisjoli and Shelby Boisjoli-Meged, 2.1, $879 each; 8. (tie) Erin Johnson and Bradi Whiteside, 2.2, $93 each.
Second round
1. Taylor Munsell, 2.0 seconds, $2,128; 2. (tie) Dwana Salisbury, Bradi Whiteside and Macy Young, 2.1, $1,573 each; 5. (tie) Martha Angelone, Sarah Angelone and Makayla Boisjoli, 2.2, $740 each; 8. (tie) Shelby Boisjoli-Meged and Kendal Pierson, 2.3, $93 each.
Third round
1. (tie) Kelsie Domer, Kelsie Domer, Kelsie Domer and Kelsie Domer, 1.8 seconds, $2,128 each; 2. (tie) Shelby Boisjoli-Meged, Shelby Boisjoli-Meged, Shelby Boisjoli-Meged, Shelby Boisjoli-Meged, Bradi Whiteside, Bradi Whiteside, Bradi Whiteside and Bradi Whiteside, 2.0, $1,711 each; 4. (tie) Martha Angelone, Martha Angelone, Martha Angelone and Martha Angelone, 2.4, $1,295 each; 5. (tie) Taylor Munsell, Taylor Munsell, Taylor Munsell and Taylor Munsell, 2.5, $1,000 each; no other qualified runs.
Finals
1. Kelsie Domer, 2.0 seconds, $12,500; 2. Bradi Whiteside, 2.2, $7,500; 3. Martha Angelone, 2.3, $5,000; 4. Shelby Boisjoli-Meged, 11.8, $2,500.
Average leaders
1. (tie) Kelsie Domer and Kelsie Domer, 8.2 seconds on four head each; 3. (tie) Bradi Whiteside and Bradi Whiteside, 8.5 each; 5. (tie) Martha Angelone and Martha Angelone, 9.0 each.