Logan Hay, Dawson Hay, Ben Andersen bidding to defend Stampede saddle-bronc championship
Hay, Hay, Hay …
It’s what Alberta’s star rodeo siblings from Wildwood are hoping to see on the list of Calgary Stampede bronc-busting winners after Showdown Sunday.
As in …
Logan Hay, 2022 champion …
Dawson Hay, 2023 champion …
And Logan — or Dawson — Hay, 2024 champion.
“It’s a race to two here, I guess,” said Logan, the oldest of three talented saddle-bronc riders reared by legendary rodeo-man Rod Hay.
“Not a lot of banter between us after last year,” continued the 27-year-old cowboy. “I beat Dawson the year before, so it’s alright. Right now, we’re 1-up.”
Actually, it’s another family member who is hoping this weekend to make that a three-way tie-up in Stampede titles.
That’s their cousin, Ben Andersen — another top-flight Alberta bronc-buster on the scene and in contention here …
Again.
“Yeah … Ben’s the one that’s been talking,” Logan said. “He’s been in the finals with us both the last two years, and he’s ended up losing both times.
“So he’s the one that’s stung a little bit.”
Indeed, Eckville’s Andersen rode a spectacular 90 aboard Tokyo Bubbles a year ago only to watch Dawson come along minutes later and ride X-9 Xplosive Skies to a winning 91.
“It’s cool, right?” Andersen said. “I was happy for him. It’s about family and your buddies. You’re cheering each other on and having fun doing it — that’s what it’s about.
“But we’re hungry.”
Especially since last year marked a second-straight year losing in the finals to family members.
It was Logan who won in 2022 in an all-family final four, consisting of brother Dawson, cousin Ben and Dawson’s cousin-in-law, Lefty Holman.
“That’s what the plan is,” said Andersen, when asked if this is his year at Stampede. “Me and Loges were looking at the (champions) board, and it went Zeke (Thurston), Zeke, Zeke (in 2015, 2016 and 2017) — and that’s pretty cool. And Loges is like, ‘It’s going to go Hay, Hay, Hay (from 2022-24)’ And I’m like, ‘No, no … Hay, Hay, Andersen.”
Not if Logan can help it.
“No … it’s Logan’s year again,” declared the eldest Hay brother with a big grin.
“Second’s cool, Ben. It’s like Ricky Bobby and Cal Naughton Jr. (in Talladega Nights) — ‘I can’t let you win, because then how do I win?’”
As go-round wins go this week, each of Logan and Ben sport one apiece.
Hay rode to an 89.5 aboard Exciting Bubbles on Thursday’s first day of Pool C saddle bronc.
And Andersen posted an 87 on York Alabama on Friday to split first with Idaho’s Kade Bruno, who busted Uvid Bubbles.
“Had to get this one,” said the 24-year-old Andersen. “Just keep the hammer down and keep rollin’. There’s a lot of good bronc-riders here, so it’s pretty tough.”
Meanwhile, Dawson Hay’s been third and ninth respectively during what’s been a first for the Alberta family.
“Never, actually,” said Logan, when asked if he’s ever been in the same pool at Stampede with Ben and Dawson. “Me and Ben usually are, because we enter together. I’ve never been in the same pool with Dawson.”
The fact they’re in the same pool could make it tough for all three to advance to Showdown Sunday this week.
And they’ll soon find out, when Saturday’s go-round determines their fate.
“If I could be in the final four with anyone else again, I would hope it would be Ben and Dawson,” added Logan. “And that’s always good for the banter.”
CRASH & BURN
There was excitement outside the ring ahead of Stampede for Andersen and Logan Hay.
They were driving near Whitehall, Mont., last week when suddenly Hay’s truck lost two tires.
“She lost both in a tragic accident,” said Hay of his 1999 Dodge pick-up he affectionately calls ‘Tracy’. “Lit a whole ditch on fire. It was a wreck.
“Ben was the fireman. We were out there stomping the fire out — it got way out of control. We had to call the fire department in.
“Both tires just blew off and sheared all the studs off. So I was trying to keep the truck on the road. Meanwhile, we look behind us, and it was riding on nothing but the brakes. It was sparking everywhere and lit the whole ditch on fire. It burned about an acre worth of ground before the trucks got there.”
Andersen confirmed the drama.
“The dual tires both came off, and they were bouncing along the ditch, and they started coming back to me on the passenger side,” Andersen said. “I was, ‘Loges, this sucker is going to come through our window — you’d better hit the brakes.’ But he’s sliding along, and he couldn’t.
“And I’m like, ‘Buddy, seriously, it’s about to come in my window. And we just pulled up past the guard-rail, and it hit the guard-rail and went about 60 feet over us.
“That was quite a rodeo. It’s a rodeo just getting to the rodeo these days.”
Hay’s happy to report that while Tracy is still in Montana awaiting surgery, she should make a triumphant return to the road.
“This isn’t the end of Tracy — she will make a return,” added Hay. “She’s very iconic — that’s why she got her own name.
“She’s an old second-gen Dodge — with a camper and extra rims. She looks good for an old lady.”
CALGARY STAMPEDE ($1.8 million)
BAREBACK
POOL C
Friday — Day 2
1. Orin Larsen (Inglis, Man.), Barcelona City, 88.0 points, $7,000; 2. Jesse Pope (Waverly, Kan.), Cat Nap, 87.5, $5,500; 3. Kody Lamb (Sherwood Park, Alta.), Oney, 86.0, $4,500; 4. Dean Thompson (Altamont, Utah), Alligator Alley, 85.5, $3,250; 5. Lane McGehee (Victoria, Texas), Soap Bubbles, 85.0, $2,000; 6. Jacob Stemo (Calgary, Alta.), Cinnamon Valley, 83.5, $1,000; 7. Sam Petersen (Helena, Mont.), Lonely Is The Night, 77.5, $0; 8. Mason Stuller (Veneta, Ore.), Young Carma, 68.5, $0; 9. Jacob Lees (Caldwell, Idaho), Wild Rags, 58.5, $0; 10. Garrett Shadbolt (Merriman, Neb.), Twin Cherry, double grab, $0.
Aggregate — after two rounds
1. Dean Thompson (Altamont, Utah), $10,250; 2. Orin Larsen (Inglis, Man.), $8,500; 3. Lane McGehee (Victoria, Texas), $6,500; 4. Jesse Pope (Waverly, Kan.), $5,500; 4. Jacob Lees (Caldwell, Idaho), $5,500; 6. Kody Lamb (Sherwood Park, Alta.), $4,500; 7. Garrett Shadbolt (Merriman, Neb.), $3,250; 8. Sam Petersen (Helena, Mont.), $1,500; 9. Jacob Stemo (Calgary, Alta.), $0; 10. Mason Stuller (Veneta, Ore.), $0.
BARREL RACING
POOL C
Friday — Day 2
1. Leslie Smalygo (Shiatook, Okla.), 17.06 seconds, $7,000;2. Jordon Briggs (Tolar, Texas), 17.15, $5,000; 2. Summer Kosel (Glenham, S.D.), 17.15, $5,000; 4. Hailey Kinsel (Cotulla, Texas), 17.18, $3,250;5. Halyn Lide (China Spring, Texas), 17.32, $2,000; 6. Kassie Mowry (Dublin, Texas), 17.43, $1,000; 7. Wenda Johnson (Pawhuska, Okla.), 17.52, $0; 8. Taylor Carver (Broxton, Ga.), 17.90, $0; 9. Sara Winkelman (Big Lake, Min.), 17.92, $0; 10. Stevi Hillman (Weatherford, Texas), 22.20, $0.
Aggregate — after two rounds
1. Leslie Smalygo (Shiatook, Okla.), $12,500; 2. Hailey Kinsel (Cotulla, Texas), $10,250; 3. Summer Kosel (Glenham, S.D.), $9,500; 4. Jordon Briggs (Tolar, Texas), $5,000; 5. Stevi Hillman (Weatherford, Texas), $3,250; 6. Halyn Lide (China Spring, Texas), $3,000; 7. Wenda Johnson (Pawhuska, Okla.), $2,000; 8. Kassie Mowry (Dublin, Texas), $0; 9/ Sara Winkelman (Big Lake, Min.), $0; 9. Taylor Carver (Broxton, Ga.), $0.
JUNIOR STEER RIDING
Friday — Day 2
1. Davis Young (Leader, Sask.), 80.0; 2. Brodi Beasley (Patricia, Alta.), 74.5; 3. Walker Thomson (Maple Creek, Sask.), 70.0; 4. Jett Lockie (Waskada, Man.), 69.5; 5. Colt Richards (Crossfield, Alta.), 66.5; 6. Levi Robbins (Daysland, Alta.), bucked off; 7. Gunnar Smith (Bentley, Alta.), BO; 8. Mason Gratrix (Ponoka, Alta.), BO.
TIE-DOWN ROPING
POOL C
Friday — Day 2
1. Quade Hiatt (Canyon, Texas), 7.0, $6,250; 1. Tom Crouse (Gallatin, Mo.), 7.0, $6,250; 3. Joel Harris (San Angelo, Texas), 7.9, $4,500; 4. Ty Harris (San Angelo, Texas), 8.0, $3,250; 5. Macon Murphy (Keatchie, La.), 11.8, $2,000; 6. Cory Solomon (Prairie View, Texas), 17.8, $1,000; 7. Marty Yates (Stephenville, Texas), no time, $0; 7. Pecos Tatum (La Plata, N.M.), NT, $0; 7. Tyler Milligan (Pawhuska, Okla.), NT, $0; 7. Garrett Elmore (Springer, Okla.), NT, $0.
Aggregate — after two rounds
1. Cory Solomon (Prairie View, Texas), $8,000; 2. Ty Harris (San Angelo, Texas), $7,750; 3. Tom Crouse (Gallatin, Mo.), $6,250; 3. Quade Hiatt (Canyon, Texas), $6,250; 5. Pecos Tatum (La Plata, N.M.), $5,500; 6. Joel Harris (San Angelo, Texas), $4,500; 7. Garrett Elmore (Springer, Okla.), $3,250; 8. Macon Murphy (Keatchie, La.), $2,000; 9. Tyler Milligan (Pawhuska, Okla.), $0; 9. Marty Yates (Stephenville, Texas), $0.
SADDLE BRONC
POOL C
Friday — Day 2
1. Ben Andersen (Eckville, Alta.), York Alabama, 87.0 points, $6,250; 1. Kade Bruno (Challis, Idaho), Uvid Bubbles, 87.0, $6,250;3. Wyatt Casper (Miami, Texas), Zealous Departure, 85.0, $4,500; 4. Logan Hay (Wildwood, Alta.), Pedro, 84.5, $3,250; 5. Brody Cress (Hillsdale, Wyo.), Turf Wars, 83.0, $2,000; 6. Allen Boore (Axtell, Utah), Sargeant Whitney, 82.0, $1,000; 7. Traylin Martin (Faith, S.D.), Yo Yo Marble, 81.5, $0; 7. Ryder Wright (Beaver, Utah), Rise and Shine, 81.5, $0; 9. Dawson Hay (Wildwood, Alta.), Saturn Rocket, 79.0, $0;9. Cole Elshere (Faith, S.D.), Waikiki Coconut, 79.0, $0.
Aggregate — after two rounds
1. Logan Hay (Wildwood, Alta.), $10,250; 2. Wyatt Casper (Miami, Texas), $10,000; 3. Kade Bruno (Challis, Idaho), $8,875; 4. Ben Andersen (Eckville, Alta.), $6,250; 5. Dawson Hay (Wildwood, Alta.), $4,500; 6. Allen Boore (Axtell, Utah), $3,625; 7. Brody Cress (Hillsdale, Wyo.), $2,000; 8. Cole Elshere (Faith, S.D.), $1,000; 9. Traylin Martin (Faith, S.D.), $0; 9. Ryder Wright (Beaver, Utah), $0.
STEER WRESTLING
POOL C
Friday — Day 2
1. Tyler Pearson (Atoka, Okla.), 3.7 seconds, $7,000;2. Ty Miller (Wainwright, Alta.), 4.0, $5,500; 3. Trisyn Kalawaia (Hilo, Hawaii), 4.3, $4,500; 4. Cody Devers (Perryton, Texas), 4.4, $3,250; 5. Bridger Anderson (Carrington, N.D.), 4.6, $1,000; 6. Kyle Irwin (Robertsdale, Fla.), 4.6, $1,000; 6. Cash Robb (Altamont, Utah), 4.6, $1,000; $0; 8. Tanner Brunner (Ramona, Kan.), 5.4, $0; 9. Harley Cole (Okotoks, Alta.), 5.7, $0; 10. Cole Walker (Springtown, Texas), 14.6, $0.
Aggregate — after two rounds
1. Trisyn Kalawaia (Hilo, Hawaii), $10,750; 2. Bridger Anderson (Carrington, N.D.), $7,250; 3. Tyler Pearson (Atoka, Okla.), $7,000; 4. Ty Miller (Wainwright, Alta.), $5,500; 5, Cody Devers (Perryton, Texas), $5,250; 6. Harley Cole (Okotoks, Alta.), $4,500; 7. Tanner Brunner (Ramona, Kan.), $3,250; 8. Kyle Irwin (Robertsdale, Fla.), $2,000; 9. Cash Robb (Altamont, Utah), $1,000; 10. Cole Walker (Springtown, Texas), $0.
BULL RIDING
POOL C
Friday — Day 2
1. JR Stratford (Byers, Kan.), Smart as a Rock, 88.0, $7,200; 2. Jeff Askey (Athens, Texas), Dance Monkey, 86.0, $5,700; 3. Callum Miller (Airdrie, Alta.), Patches O’Houlihan, 82.0, $4,700; 4. Ky Hamilton (Mackay, Australia), Party Shocker, 78.0, $3,450;5. Chase Dougherty (Decatur, Texas), Toothless Smile, 77.5, $2,200; 6. Clayton Sellars (Wildwood, Fla.), Angry Bob, bucked off, $0; 6. Cooper James (Erda, Utah), Heebs Houch, BO, $0; 6. Dustin Boquet (Bourg, La.), Dark Mark, BO, $0; 6. Tyler Bingham (Howell, Utah), Freakshow, BO, $0; 6. Jeter Lawrence (Hitchita, Okla.), Slobber Knocker, BO, $0.
Aggregate — after two rounds
1. Jeff Askey (Athens, Texas), $13,283.33; 2. Chase Dougherty (Decatur, Texas), $11,283.33; 3. JR Stratford (Byers, Kan.), $7,200; 4. Cooper James (Erda, Utah), $6,583.33; 5. Callum Miller (Airdrie, Alta.), $4,700; 6. Ky Hamilton (Mackay, Australia), $3,450; 7. Jeter Lawrence (Hitchita, Okla.), $0; 7. Clayton Sellars (Wildwood, Fla.), $0; 7. Dustin Boquet (Bourg, La.), $0; 7. Tyler Bingham (Howell, Utah), $0.