Saskatchewan bull-riding star focused on winning north of the border this year
Vegas is a temptress.
But Jared Parsonage won’t succumb to any of her ways this year.
The bull rider’s keeping it strictly Canadian in 2024.
“No … I say, ‘No’ to the NFR, honestly,” said Parsonage, when talk turns to the National Finals Rodeo — the annual season-ending rodeo of riches in Las Vegas.
“I’ve got a couple of kids at home and a wife and everything at home and stuff going on at home, and I’m just not going south this year,” continued the 31-year-old Canadian cowboy. “I just don’t have any desire to be gone and be on the road.
“So eyes are just on a Canadian title this year — focused on that. It’d be cool to go into Rogers Place (in November) and win Canada for the first one in Rogers Place.”
It’s an honour he knows oh-so well.
Parsonage was crowned Canadian champ in both 2021 and ’22, but the bull-riding star from Maple Creek, Sask., was bucked off that throne last year by Edgar Durazo.
So he’s back to right that wrong this year, spurred on by the vision of defending his Calgary Stampede championship.
“Yeah … this is one of the places you always want to do good,” Parsonage said. “I don’t think there’s any more pressure after winning it last year. It’s the biggest Canadian rodeo going — you know … lots of money — and if you’re gonna do this for a living, you want to do good.”
So far, so good after Tuesday’s delivery in the Day 5 go-round.
Parsonage split top marks — both he and world No. 1 Josh Frost had matching 84 scores atop Wrangler Tough and Trailer Trash, respectively. The only other guy to make eight was world No. 2 Creek Young, with an 82.5.
“He’s definitely one of the top guys from Canada,” said Frost of Parsonage. “We were joking in the locker room, because me and Creek are one and two in the world and Jared and (Alberta’s) Jordan (Hansen) are probably No. 1 and 2 up here in Canada. We were giving them a hard time saying you can tell who the favourites are up here.
“They come down to the States quite a bit and take our money, so it’s nice to come up here and try to get some of theirs.”
Not if Parsonage can help it.
“I can’t say I’ve really felt pressure,” Parsonage said. “I guess maybe there was in my first Calgary Stampede or the second one. But I’ve been here quite a few times now, and I really enjoy it.
“It’s just a ton of fun, and you just keep go back to the basics and enjoy having fun and remember why you’re doing this and that keeps the pressure away.”
There’s got to be pressure on all the bull riders heading into Wednesday’s matinee, with all 10 still in the mix to move forward to Showdown Sunday.
The top four advance, and Parsonage is currently sitting in third position.
Tuesday’s effort got him the $8,333 — same as Frost — to put him there.
“It’s a good little kick in the shorts — that’s for sure,” added Parsonage. “And there’s lots of money to win, so stay focused and keep trying to win it.”
Onward to a Canadian title, he hopes.
WEAVING WEBB
Riley Webb remembers his Stampede debut fondly.
That was last year, when the tie-down roper racked up one go-round win and a final-four appearance.
So he’s back to do one better this year, by matching rival Beau Cooper’s title take and winning the $50,000 champion’s cheque.
So far, so good after Tuesday’s performance aboard his 15-year-old horse, Boots — a top-spot 7.2-second run for the go-round victory to set him up well in the chase for one of three Showdown Sunday berths among Pool B ropers.
“This is a bucket-list rodeo,” said Webb, 20. “It can change your season around and your life around — $50,000 is a lot of money.”
AROUND THE CHUTES
Bull rider Hansen, of Amisk, Alta., escaped possible serious injury when he got caught under Warning Shot on the last ride of the day — a re-ride, to boot. “I didn’t get to talk to him afterwards,” said fellow bull-rider Frost. “But I was sitting there right on the chutes, and it looked like that bull grazed him once or twice (on the head), but he got up and ran out and everything seemed to be moving OK. He’ll probably be a little sore. It was pretty scary.” … Rocker Steiner announced his return to the Calgary Stampede in style Tuesday. He knocked out a rockin’ 88 score aboard Knock Out to win the bareback event two years after winning on his first-ever ride at The Greatest Outdoor Show On Earth. Last year, he was suspended ahead of the Stampede because of a scuffle in Nevada, but he came back on Day 5 in this edition with a vengeance … Taycie Matthews tore up the cloverleaf in barrel racing with the week’s best time Tuesday. She clocked in with her horse, Pop Rocks, in a lightning-quick 17.03 seconds for the $7,000 top cheque. The racing was riveting on Day 4, with Kansas cowgirl Chelsea Moore and Texan Carlee Otero posting smoking times of 17.09s and 17.10s respectively, as well … They know how to bull-dog Down Under. Just ask Australia’s Travis Munro, who got the job done in steer wrestling on Day 5 in just 3.6 seconds for the $7,000 first-place payday … And in novice saddle bronc, Eastan West of New Underwood, S.D., was glorious on Friday Glory for a top-spot 80.5 Tuesday. The win moves him onto the final round Wednesday, where he’ll battle with fellow young guns Lonnie Dunn and Quinn Tallmade — both from Saskatchewan — and Devon Hay, son of Alberta legend Rod Hay.
CALGARY STAMPEDE
BAREBACK
POOL B
Tuesday — Day 2
1. Rocker Steiner (Weatherford, Texas), Knock Out, 88.0 points, $7,000; 2. Taylor Broussard (Estherwood, La.), Broken Arrow, 87.5, $5,500; 3. Bradlee Miller (Huntsville, Texas), Fishy Alibi, 85.0, $4,500; 4. Cooper Cooke (Victor, Idaho), Sleeping Giant, 84.5, $3,250; 5. RC Landingham (Castle, Calif.), Lola, 83.5, $2,000;6. Richmond Champion (Stevensville, Mont.), Turbo Rocket, 81.5, $1,000; 7. Tanner Aus (Granite Falls, Min.), Mentally Chill, 78.5, $0; 8. Brayze Schill (West Columbia, Texas), Dark River, 74.5, $0; 9. Ty Taypotat (Nanton, Alta.), Pay Day, 72.0, $0
Aggregate — after two rounds
1. Taylor Broussard (Estherwood, La.), $10,500; 2. Rocker Steiner (Weatherford, Texas), $10,250;3. Richmond Champion (Stevensville, Mont.), $8,000; 4. RC Landingham (Castle, Calif.), $7,000; 5. Bradlee Miller (Huntsville, Texas), $4,500; 6. Cooper Cooke (Victor, Idaho), $4,250; 7. Tanner Aus (Granite Falls, Min.), $2,000; 8. Ty Taypotat (Nanton, Alta.), $0; 8. Brayze Schill (West Columbia, Texas), $0.
BARREL RACING
POOL B
Tuesday — Day 2
1 .Taycie Matthews (Wynne, Ark.), 17.03 seconds, $7,000; 2. Chelsea Moore (Rose Hill, Kan.), 17.09, $5,500; 3. Carlee Otero (Perrin, Texas), 17.10, $4,500; 4. Katelyn Scott (Odessa, Texas), 17.30, $3,250; 5. Ilyssa Riley (Hico, Texas), 17.44, $2,000; 6. Abby Phillips (Marshall, Texas), 17.51, $1,000; 7. Sissy Winn (Chapman Ranch, Texas), 17.60; $0; 8. Lynette Brodoway (Brooks, Alta.), 17.68, $0; 9. Blake Molle (Chauvin, Alta.), 18.06, $0; 10. Paige Jones (Wayne, Okla.), 22.29, $0.
Aggregate — after two rounds
1. Taycie Matthews (Wynne, Ark.), $12,000; 2. Katelyn Scott (Odessa, Texas), $10,250; 3. Chelsea Moore (Rose Hill, Kan.), $6,000; 4. Paige Jones (Wayne, Okla.), $5,000; 5. Carlee Otero (Perrin, Texas), $4,500; 6. Sissy Winn (Chapman Ranch, Texas), $3,250; 7. Lynette Brodoway (Brooks, Alta.), $2,000; 7. Ilyssa Riley (Hico, Texas), $2,000; 9. Abby Phillips (Marshall, Texas), $1,000; 10. Blake Molle (Chauvin, Alta.), $500.
NOVICE SADDLE BRONC
Tuesday — Day 2
1. Eastan West (New Underwood, S.D.), Friday Glory, 80.5; 2. Devon Hay (Wildwood, Alta.), Fainting Gorgeous, 73.0; 3. Lonnie Dunn (Big River, Sask.), Yonder Skies, 66.0; 4. Quinn Tallmadge (Meadow Lake, Sask.), Giddy Joan, 55.0; 5. Cohen Larson (Macrorie, Sask.), Freaky Umber, bucked off; 5. Clay Greenslade (Strathmore, Alta.), Grecian Marvel, BO; 5. Reid Gustafson (Crossfield, Alta.), Glimpse of You, BO; 5. Jordan Cust (Sturgeon County, Alta.), Either Delivery, BO.
Aggregate — after two rounds
1. Lonnie Dunn (Big River, Sask.), $4,000; 2. Quinn Tallmadge (Meadow Lake, Sask.), $2,500; 3. Eastan West (New Underwood, S.D.), $1,500; 4. Devon Hay (Wildwood, Alta., $1,000; 5. Clay Greenslade (Strathmore, Alta.), $700; 5. Cohen Larson (Macrorie, Sask.), $700; 5. Jordan Cust (Sturgeon County, Alta.), $700; 5. Reid Gustafson (Crossfield, Alta.), $700.
TIE-DOWN ROPING
POOL B
Tuesday — Day 2
1. Riley Webb (Denton, Texas), 7.2 seconds, $7,000; 2. Kincade Henry (Mt. Pleasant, Texas), 7.3, $5,500; 3. Bryce Derrer (Portales, N.M.), 7.6, $4,500; 4. Beau Cooper (Stettler, Alta.), 7.8, $3,250; 5. Haven Meged (Miles City, Mont.), 9.0, $1,500;5. Shane Hanchey (Carmine, Texas), 9.0, $1,500; 7. Dylan Hancock (San Angelo, Texas), no time, $0; 7. Brushton Minton (Witter Springs, Calif.), NT, $0; 7. Trevor Hale (Perryton, Texas), NT, $0; 7. Westyn Hughes (Caldwell, Texas), NT, $0.
Aggregate — after two rounds
1. Shane Hanchey (Carmine, Texas), $8,500; 2. Kincade Henry (Mt. Pleasant, Texas), $7,583.33; 3. Riley Webb (Denton, Texas), $7,000; 4. Haven Meged (Miles City, Mont.), $6,000; 5. Westyn Hughes (Caldwell, Texas), $5,500; 6. Beau Cooper (Stettler, Alta.), $5,333.33; 7. Bryce Derrer (Portales, N.M.), $4,500; 8. Dylan Hancock (San Angelo, Texas), $2,083.33; 9. Trevor Hale (Perryton, Texas), no time, $0; 9 Brushton Minton (Witter Springs, Calif.), $0.
SADDLE BRONC
POOL B
Tuesday — Day 2
1. Kolby Wanchuk (Sherwood Park, Alta.), Double D Dolly, 88.0 points, $7,000;2. Dawson Dahm (Duffield, Alta.), Mary Lou, 87.5, $5,500; 3. Lucas Macza (High River, Alta.), Special Smoke, 86.5, $4,500;4. Isaac Diaz (Desdemona, Texas), Daisy Duke, 85.5, $3,250; 5. Trenton Burd (Madison, Kan.), Ginger Snap, 85.0, $2,000; 6. Brody Wells (Powell, Wyo.), Hateful Eight, 84.5, $1,000; 7. Cort Scheer (Bluff Dale, Texas), Breaking Acres, 84.0, $0; 8. Ryder Sanford (Sulphur, La.), Flickering Skies, 81.5, $0; 9. Damian Brennan (Injune, Australia), First Love, 80.5, $0; 10. Chase Brooks (Deer Lodge, Mont.), Frosted Brownie, 77.5, $0.
Aggregate — after two rounds
1. Kolby Wanchuk (Sherwood Park, Alta.), $13,250; 2. Trenton Burd (Madison, Kan.), $6,500; 2. Lucas Macza (High River, Alta.), $6,500; 4. Chase Brooks (Deer Lodge, Mont.), $6,250; 5. Dawson Dahm (Duffield, Alta.), $5,500; 6. Isaac Diaz (Desdemona, Texas), $4,250; 7. Ryder Sanford (Sulphur, La.), $3,250; 8. Brody Wells (Powell, Wyo.), $1,000; 9. Damian Brennan (Injune, Australia), $0; 9. Cort Scheer (Bluff Dale, Texas), $0.
STEER WRESTLING
POOL B
Tuesday — Day 2
1. Travis Munro (Townsville, Australia), 3.6 seconds, $7,000;2. Jacob Edler (Alva, Okla.), 4.4, $5,500; 3. Dakota Eldridge (Elko, Nev.), 4.5, $4,500; 4. Clayton Hass (Weatherford, Texas), 5.4, $3,250; 5. JD Struxness (Milan, Minn.), 5.7, $1,500; 5. Ty Erickson (Helena, Mont.), 5,7, $1,500; 7. Dirk Tavenner (Rigby, Idaho), 6.0, $0; 8. Stetson Jorgensen (Blackfoot, Idaho), no time, $0 8. Stan Branco (Chowchilia, Calif.), NT, $0; 8. Jesse Brown (Baker City, Ore.), NT, $0.
Aggregate — after two rounds
1. Dakota Eldridge (Elko, Nev.), $9,500;2. Ty Erickson (Helena, Mont.), $8,500; 3. Clayton Hass (Weatherford, Texas), $8,250; 4. Travis Munro (Townsville, Australia), $8,000; 5. Jacob Edler (Alva, Okla.), $5,500; 6. JD Struxness (Milan, Minn.), $4,125; 7. Stetson Jorgensen (Blackfoot, Idaho), $2,625; 8. Stan Branco (Chowchilia, Calif.), $0; 8. Jesse Brown (Baker City, Ore.), $0; 8. Dirk Tavenner (Rigby, Idaho), $0.
BULL RIDING
POOL B
Tuesday — Day 2
1. Jared Parsonage (Maple Creek, Sask.), Wrangler Tough, 84.0, $8,333.33;1. Josh Frost (Randlett, Utah), Trailer Trash, 84.0, $8,333.33; 3. Creek Young (Rogersville, Mo.), Hell Boy, 82.5, $6,583.33; 4. TJ Gray (Klamath Falls, Ore.), Chester, bucked off, $0; 4. Brody Yeary (Morgan Mill, Texas), Down with the Devil, BO, $0; 4. Coy Robbins (Camrose, Alta.), Devils Advocate, BO, $0; 4. Weston Davidson (Strongfield, Sask.), Fallen Angel, BO, $0; 4. Jace Trosclair (Chauvin, La.), Naughty Kisher, BO, $0; 4. Trey Kimzey (Strong City, Okla.), Sugar Jacked, BO, $0; 4. Jordan Hansen (Amisk, Alta.), Warning Shot (re-ride), BO, $0.
Aggregate — after two rounds
1. Trey Kimzey (Strong City, Okla.), $12,375; 2. Jace Trosclair (Chauvin, La.), $10,875; 3. Jared Parsonage (Maple Creek, Sask.), $8,333.33; 3. Josh Frost (Randlett, Utah), $8,333.33; 5. Creek Young (Rogersville, Mo.), $6,583.33; 6. Brody Yeary (Morgan Mill, Texas), $0; 6. Coy Robbins (Camrose, Alta.), $0; 6. Weston Davidson (Strongfield, Sask.), $0; 6. TJ Gray (Klamath Falls, Ore.), $0; 6. Jordan Hansen (Amisk, Alta.), $0.