Leslie Smalygo quickly reclaimed the No. 1 spot in the WPRA World Standings after losing it for just one week. Emily Beisel’s time at No. 1 was short-lived as Smalygo got it back and put some distance between herself and the rest of the field with a 16.94-second run to win Calgary. This win marks Smalygo’s second victory at the two highest-paying rodeos of the year, following her triumph in Houston in March.
Barrel Racing Results
Pool A Qualifiers:
Ashley Castleberry
Lisa Lockhart
Tiany Schuster
(tie) Jessica Routier and Taylor Manning
Pool B Qualifiers:
Taycie Matthews
Katelyn Scott
Carlee Otero
Paige Jones
Pool C Qualifiers:
Leslie Smalygo
Hailey Kinsel
Summer Kosel
Jordon Briggs
Semifinals:
Hailey Kinsel, 16.97 seconds
Leslie Smalygo, 16.99
Katelyn Scott, 17.26
Paige Jones, 17.27
Summer Kosel, 17.30, $3,000
Jordon Briggs, 17.40, $2,500
Tiany Schuster, 17.41, $2,000
Lisa Lockhart, 17.42, $1,000
Taycie Matthews, 22.27, $1,000
Ashley Castleberry, 22.33, $1,000
Taylor Manning, 22.61, $1,000
Carlee Otero, 23.58, $1,000
Finals:
Leslie Smalygo, 16.940 seconds, $50,000
Hailey Kinsel, 16.986, $20,000
Katelyn Scott, 17.243, $10,000
Paige Jones, 22.330, $7,500
R.C. Landingham’s Electric 94-Point Ride to Win Calgary Stampede
Bareback rider R.C. Landingham delivered a sensational 94-point ride on C5 Rodeo’s renowned horse, Virgil, securing the prestigious title. Just three months after a memorable ride on Virgil at the Red Bluff (Calif.) Round-Up, Landingham faced the legendary horse again, this time on an even grander stage. His previous 92.5-point ride was impressive, but Sunday’s performance exceeded all expectations. “People said the last time I got on Virgil he just had a nice trip,” Landingham recalled. “(Sunday), he sure bucked hard and tested me a lot more, and I just kept gassing it. I knew if I got the whistle, we were going to win first.”
A Dream Realized
At 33 years old, Landingham cherished the moment of winning his first Calgary Stampede title, accompanied by a $50,000 first-place check. “This is awesome,” he expressed. “I’m really proud of the young guys who come and get this win early in their careers, but it has taken me 15 years, and I’m just so happy to be able to take that bronze home. This win means the world to me. It is a huge blessing.”
Making History
The Calgary Stampede celebrated as The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth boasts a $1.85-million rodeo. Landingham knew the significance of his decision when he chose Virgil for the Final Four Sudden Death Round. “That horse has a personality, and I could tell he had a little something different on his mind (Sunday),” Landingham said. “I knew he was going to be a handful, and anytime you get on a horse like that, you are giving 110 percent. It was dang sure a hard one to get by, and you know when you get by him, you’re going to win first.”
Near Record-Breaking Performance
A four-time qualifier for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, Landingham was just one point shy of tying the Calgary Stampede bareback riding record of 95 points, set by Davey Shields Jr. in 2005. “I’m not really a guy who likes to be out in the public, but it was pretty cool to stand up there and be the center of attention for a second,” Landingham admitted.
Dominating the Showdown
Landingham’s victory was sealed as the last rider in the Showdown Round, following an 89-point ride on Calgary Stampede’s Special Delivery earlier in the day. “It is kind of cool; I’m one of the oldest bareback riders going now, and I got on Special Delivery in the (semifinals) earlier (Sunday), and that is one of the oldest bareback horses,” Landingham noted. “Then to get on Virgil, who is another one of the oldest bareback horses, I guess there’s some good in the old guys still.”
Thrilling Finals Across Disciplines
The Calgary Stampede also saw an exhilarating showdown in saddle bronc riding, where Kade Bruno and Zeke Thurston both scored 92 points in the Showdown, forcing a ride-off. Thurston’s 90.5 points on Calgary Stampede’s Yesterday’s Delivery were narrowly beaten by Bruno’s sensational 92-point ride on Northcott Yule’s Mary Lou, securing the championship.
Leslie Smalygo’s dominance in barrel racing highlights the incredible talent and determination of women in the sport. R.C. Landingham’s unforgettable ride on Virgil at the Calgary Stampede exemplifies the spirit of rodeo excellence and the enduring legacy of both rider and horse. As the Calgary Stampede continues to celebrate the best in rodeo, moments like these remind us why it’s truly The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.
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