CARSTAIRS - Two central Alberta tie-down ropers are getting back in the saddle again at the Calgary Stampede in a bid to claim their event’s 2025 championship title.
Kyle Lucas of Carstairs and Shane Smith of Wimborne are 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 are in Pool A this year which starts competition Friday, July 4 and ends Sunday, July 6. Pool B then runs Monday to Wednesday and Pool C from Thursday to Saturday.
Participants with the four best aggregate money totals after the three days of pool action earn berths into Showdown Sunday.
Last year’s tie-down champion, Haven Meged, is not competing at the 2025 event.
As of June 20, Wimborne’s Smith was in first place in the Maple Leaf Circuit and as of June 26, Carstairs’ Lucas was seventh in the SMS Equipment Pro Tour.
In tie-down roping, the cowboy waits on horseback behind a rope barrier. When he gives a nod, the calf is released and gets a 10-foot head start.
The cowboy must quickly rope the calf, dismount on the run to reach it, turn it on its side and tie three of its legs.
Time is called when the cowboy throws his hands in the air and the calf is immediately released.
In the 101 years that a tie-down roping champion has been crowned (1923-2024) at the Calgary Stampede, 21 Albertans have won the title.
