CARSTAIRS - Two central Alberta tie-down ropers ended their aspirations to be their event’s Calgary Stampede champions on Sunday.
Kyle Lucas of Carstairs and Shane Smith of Wimborne were among the 30 contestants vying to be this year’s Stampede tie-down roping champion. The two ropers also competed in last year's Stampede.
Both central Albertans were in the 10-contestant Pool A this year which started competition Friday, July 4 and ended Sunday, July 6.
Pool B goes Monday to Wednesday and Pool C from Thursday to Saturday.
Participants with the three best aggregate money totals after the three days of pool action earn berths into Showdown Sunday for a chance to win $50,000.
Smith ended his last go-around July 6 on top. He won the day’s go-around with a 7.1-second time, netting $7,000.
The Wimborne resident logged a no-time in his first go-around on Friday, July 4 and an 8.6 time the next day earning $1,000. Combined, he won $8,000.
Lucas earned slightly less by the end of Pool A action. He won $5,000 on July 4 with a time of 7.3 and another $2,625 with a time of 8.2 a day later. His third go-around on July 6 ended in a time of 8.7 with no prize money awarded to him. He earned $7,625 in prize money.
The three Pool A tie-down ropers advancing to Showdown Sunday include John Douch of Huntsville Texas ($17,500), Riley Pruitt of Gering, Nebraska ($10,875) and Shad Mayfield of Clovis, New Mexico ($8,875).
