Chuckwagon champion: Kurt Bensmiller brings home 4th Rangeland Derby title

KurtBensmillerof Dewberry, Alta., won his second straight Rangeland Derby championship dash and fourth inthe past five years.Bensmillerdrove hischuckwagonaround the Stampede Park track in a time of 1:10.67 to win $100,000,

Driving his father MikeVigen'soutfit,ChanseVigenfinished second in a time of 1:10.90 to win $25,000, while Mark Sutherland and Jason Glass finished third and fourth, respectively.

Kurt Bensmiller wins 4th Rangeland Derby in 5 years

6 years ago

Duration 4:21

Kurt Bensmiller dazzled on Sunday night at the Calgary Stampede taking home the $100,000 prize in the chuckwagon Rangeland Derby, his fourth title in five years.

Gloria grabs Rodeo crown

Brazilian bull rider Marcos Gloria made the most of his second chance to win $100,000 at the Calgary Stampede rodeo on Sunday.

Gloria was originally bucked off Happy Camper, but was given another chance because the other three finalists Fabiano Vieira of Brazil, Joe Frost of Randlett, Utah and Ty Wallace of Collbran, Colo. were all thrown off their bulls as well.

Calgary Stampede Rodeo: Showdown Sunday

6 years ago

Duration 2:29:59

2018 Calgary Stampede on CBC

"I'm glad that I had a second chance," said Gloria through translator Andre Portis, a retired bull rider with whom he lives with in Edmonton. "I'm very happy the way everything turned out."

During his re-ride, Gloria scored 76 points atop Rattler, while Vieira, Frost and Wallace were all bucked off their bulls once again. Vieira, Frost and Wallace each won $16,666.67 for finishing in a tie for second place.

Although Gloria was injured after Happy Camper stepped on his leg when he was bucked off, his decision to shake off the ailment turned out to be a profitable one.

"They let me know I had to run and get on the next bull, it was all or nothing," he said, while adding that he had an "unreal" experience at the Stampede. "I've never seen anything this big. I'm very happy and I love Canadians."

Richie Champion wins bareback title

Thanks to his 92.5-point ride atop Virgil, Richie Champion of Dublin, Texas, won his second straight Stampede title in the bareback event. Champion also drew Virgil in the championship round last year and had a ride of 90.5 points.

"He's become a staple of my career in a short amount of time," said Champion of Virgil. "To be able win the Stampede twice now, my head's spinning."

Champion edged out Jake Vold of Airdrie, Alta., by just half a point to finish first. Vold still took home the second-place prize of $25,000 following his 92-point ride aboard Trail Dust.

Other winners

Matt Reeves of Cross Plains, Texas, won his first steer wrestling title in Calgary by recording the top time of 4.7 seconds. Last year's champion, Tyler Waguespack of Gonzales, La., stopped the clock in 6.7 seconds to finish second.

"That wasn't the best run I made all week," said Reeves, who was surprised his time held up. "I figured I was coming in second, for sure."

Ryder Wright of Milford, Utah finished first in the saddle bronc event by virtue of his impressive 93-point ride atop Stampede Warrior.

"He turned out of there and went to bucking," said Wright of Stampede Warrior. "He stayed a little closer to the chutes than he did earlier in the week. That horse is really strong. He can really jump and kick and crack. You've just got to stay back and keep your feet on (him) or you're going to get your head popped off."

Hailey Kinsel of Cotulla, Texas won the barrel racing championship in a time of 17.078 seconds to edge out Kelly Bruner of Millsap, Texas, by just .028 seconds for top spot.

"I really enjoyed the experience overall," said Kinsel of her first time competing at the Stampede.