Day three at the Calgary Stampede arrived wrapped in syrup and sunshine as Tim Hortons Family Day took over Stampede Park.
The lure of free admission and a pancake breakfast drew a massive crowd out on Sunday – despite some of the inclement afternoon weather – with 163,550 people hitting the gates, bringing the cumulative 2026 Calgary Stampede attendance to 491,006.
Big draws on the day, along with the rodeo and chuckwagons, were bands Our Lady Peace on the Coca-Cola Stage, Sons of Legion at the Big Four Roadhouse, and Russell Dickerson at Nashville North.
Rodeo action also carried strong momentum into Sunday.
For one cowboy, Richie Champion, it would be his final Stampede ride. He went out in style, as the Stevensville, Montana, bareback competitor rode Shadow Warrior to a 90 and the day’s money.
In saddle bronc, Lefty Holman from Visalia, California, scored a 90 on Annual News to win the day money, and on the bulls, Hudson Bolton (Milan, Tennessee) spurred his way aboard Home Alone to an 89 to take top money for July 5.
In tie-down roping, Bryce Derrer from Portales, New Mexico, logged a time of 7.4 seconds to take Sunday’s cash, while Celie Rogers from Choteau, Montana, Jenna Dallyn from Nanton, Alberta, and Cadee Williams from Belgrade, Montana, all clocked 3.4 seconds in breakaway roping to share the top three prizes.
In ladies barrel racing, Julie Plourde from Krum, Texas, had a time of 17.17 to win the top day money.
Under the lights, the Rangeland Derby ran its third night with veteran driver Rae Croteau in the Bar L5 canvas getting the fastest time with 1:14.46 and the $6,500 payday. Next closest was Jason Glass (Birchcliff Energy Ltd.), more than a second behind at 1:15.59.
After three days, Croteau sits atop the cumulative leaderboard, with a 3:39.02 with no penalties, just .65 seconds ahead of Jamie Laboucane at 3:39.68 (Panorama Advisory Group). Chanse Vigen (Lethbridge Lodging Association) sits third with a total time of 3:40.40.
Looking ahead to July 6: Monday brings the Calgary Stampede Powwow’s debut at the Scotiabank Saddledome (doors noon, Grand Entry 1 p.m.), plus Tsuut’ina Nation Day at Elbow River Camp.
Homegrown Heroes will also be recognized (Canadian Armed Forces, veterans, first responders and frontline healthcare workers) during Monday night’s evening show.
The Coca-Cola Stage features Sofia Camara at 7 p.m. and Jonah Kagen at 8:30 p.m. Nashville North runs Morgan Klaiber, Devin Cooper, Shane Smith & The Saints, Hudson Westbrook and Foxx Worthee through the night, while The Big Four Roadhouse brings Quinton Blair and country star Terri Clark. Rodeo hits GMC Stadium at 1:30 p.m., with the Evening Show and Rangeland Derby back at 7:15 p.m.
