Local Sports

Garret Zieffle of Consort gets his calf in tie-down roping, finishing his run with a time of 12.7 seconds. (Kevin Sabo/Castor Advance)

PHOTOS: Castor Rodeo closes out June

The weather couldn’t have been better for the 2023 edition of the…

The Castor Tritons’ Swim Club hosted its first swim meet in over two decades June 25 and 26. (Photo submitted)

Castor holds first swim meet in over 2-decades

Event results from the June 25-36 swim meet

  • Jul 6, 2023
Bullrider Nick Tetz was this year’s biggest single-money winner at the Ponoka Stampede. Covy Moore photo

Nick Tetz was this year’s biggest single money winner at the Ponoka Stampede

Winning Ponoka Stampede can be a ticket to ride to the Canadian Finals Rodeo

Nick Tetz rides for 88.7 points during the Ponoka Stampede Showdown finals. (Kevin Sabo/Black press Media)

Ponoka Stampede Showdown wrapup

After a cool and windy Sunday rodeo presentation, the Ponoka Stampede has…

Nick Tetz rides for 88.7 points during the Ponoka Stampede Showdown finals. (Kevin Sabo/Black press Media)
Nick Tetz hangs on for a 87.75-point ride, securing his spot in the Showdown. (Kevin Sabo/Black Press Media)

Ponoka Stampede Showdown promises excitement after Sunday afternoon finals

The stage is set for the Sunday Showdown at the Ponoka Stampede.…

Nick Tetz hangs on for a 87.75-point ride, securing his spot in the Showdown. (Kevin Sabo/Black Press Media)
Chanse Vigin continues his unprecedented run, winning the World Professional Chuckwagons for a fifth night in a row at the Ponoka Stampede. (Covey Moore photo)

Ponoka Stampede Day 6 chuckwagon wrap-up

The infield was swampy due to a storm that had passed by…

Chanse Vigin continues his unprecedented run, winning the World Professional Chuckwagons for a fifth night in a row at the Ponoka Stampede. (Covey Moore photo)
Sherrylynn Johnson takes part in the Professional Barrel Racing during Canada Day Rodeo Action. (Kevin Sabo/Black Press Media)

PHOTOS: Canada Day rodeo action at the Ponoka Stampede

It was standing room only during Canada Day rodeo action at the…

Sherrylynn Johnson takes part in the Professional Barrel Racing during Canada Day Rodeo Action. (Kevin Sabo/Black Press Media)
Pictured here is Keely Bonnett — one of the Bonnett brothers — who all came to the Stampede on Canada Day with hopes of making a pair of runs that could get them into Sunday’s rich finals at the 87th annual event. (Covy Moore photo)

Bonnett brothers take on hometown Ponoka Stampede on Canada Day

Team roping is a family affair when it comes to the Bonnett…

Pictured here is Keely Bonnett — one of the Bonnett brothers — who all came to the Stampede on Canada Day with hopes of making a pair of runs that could get them into Sunday’s rich finals at the 87th annual event. (Covy Moore photo)
Craig Weisgerber got the fans stomping their feet on Thursday for the ‘thunder rolls’ when he slid over his steer in 4.1 seconds, to take over the top spot in his event with 8.4 seconds on two runs. Covy Moore photo

Making his fourth appearance in the Finals, Ponoka’s Craig Weisgerber can’t wait for Sunday

By Dianne Finstad It would have been a tough mission to find…

  • Jul 1, 2023
Craig Weisgerber got the fans stomping their feet on Thursday for the ‘thunder rolls’ when he slid over his steer in 4.1 seconds, to take over the top spot in his event with 8.4 seconds on two runs. Covy Moore photo
Ponoka cowboy Jacob Stemo played a stunt double as a bareback rider during the filming of the event - part of a full movie production filmed during the rodeo on Friday. Covy Moore photo

Ponoka cowboy takes stuntman role in movie production

Film crew on-site at Ponoka Stampede during rodeo

Ponoka cowboy Jacob Stemo played a stunt double as a bareback rider during the filming of the event - part of a full movie production filmed during the rodeo on Friday. Covy Moore photo
Kirk Sutherland won the heat with a time of 1:15.13, but it wasn’t enough for him to crack the top eight and move into the semi-finals. (Kevin Sabo/Black Press Media)

PHOTOS: Day 5 Ponoka Stampede Chuckwagon action

After a fourth day of racing, the stage is set for Saturday’s…

Kirk Sutherland won the heat with a time of 1:15.13, but it wasn’t enough for him to crack the top eight and move into the semi-finals. (Kevin Sabo/Black Press Media)
Jake Maher holds on for a wild 76.5-point ride on a bull known as Dr. Doolittle. (Kevin Sabo/Black Press Media)

PHOTOS: Ponoka Stampede day five action

The picture for Saturday’s semi-finals became clear by the time the dust…

Jake Maher holds on for a wild 76.5-point ride on a bull known as Dr. Doolittle. (Kevin Sabo/Black Press Media)
Chanse Vigin races during the World Professional Chuckwagon Association event during the Ponoka Stampede on June 28. (Covey Moore photo)

World Professional Chuckwagon Association day 4 Ponoka Stampede wrapup

It was a cloudy Thursday night in Ponoka, but once again the…

  • Jun 30, 2023
Chanse Vigin races during the World Professional Chuckwagon Association event during the Ponoka Stampede on June 28. (Covey Moore photo)
Jacob Gardner celebrated his birthday in style with an 86-point ride and he took the lead. (Ponoka Stampede/Covy Moore)

Bull rider celebrates birthday with 86-point ride at Ponoka Stampede

By Dianne Finstad When it comes to birthday party places, the Ponoka…

  • Jun 29, 2023
Jacob Gardner celebrated his birthday in style with an 86-point ride and he took the lead. (Ponoka Stampede/Covy Moore)
Brenden Kasinec recovers from almost getting bucked off.(Carson Ellis photo)

Alberta High School Rodeo Assoc. finals held in Stettler

The high school rodeo was held June 1-4, 2023

  • Jun 7, 2023
Brenden Kasinec recovers from almost getting bucked off.(Carson Ellis photo)
Hockey Alberta logo

Female U16 Alberta Challenge begins in Red Deer

Hundreds from across Alberta will play

Hockey Alberta logo
A Central Alberta umpires association is looking for members before the upcoming season. (File photo)

Central Alberta softball umpire association in need of members

With softball season just around the corner, the members of Central Alberta…

A Central Alberta umpires association is looking for members before the upcoming season. (File photo)
Zeke Thurston, of Big Valley, Alta., rides Business Girl during saddle bronc rodeo semi-finals action at the Calgary Stampede in Calgary, Alta., Sunday, July 17, 2022.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Big Valley’s Zeke Thurston wins third world saddle bronc crown of his career

Zeke Thurston of Big Valley, Alta., won a world championship in saddle…

Zeke Thurston, of Big Valley, Alta., rides Business Girl during saddle bronc rodeo semi-finals action at the Calgary Stampede in Calgary, Alta., Sunday, July 17, 2022.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Spittin Chiclets podcast personality and former professional hockey player Paul Bissonnette signs a bottle of Pink Whitney for a fan at Wine and Beyond Red Deer on Friday. (Photo by Ian Gustafson/ Red Deer Advocate)
Spittin Chiclets podcast personality and former professional hockey player Paul Bissonnette signs a bottle of Pink Whitney for a fan at Wine and Beyond Red Deer on Friday. (Photo by Ian Gustafson/ Red Deer Advocate)
L-R: Miss Rodeo Stavely Jasmine Dahl, Miss Strathmore Stampede Martina Holtkamp, Miss Rodeo Canada Jayden Calvert and Miss Ponoka Stampede Mackenzie Skeels. (Janaia Hutzal/For Ponoka News)

PHOTOS: The best snapshots from the 2022 Ponoka Stampede

Highlights from the 86th annual Ponoka Stampede, held June 27 to July 3

L-R: Miss Rodeo Stavely Jasmine Dahl, Miss Strathmore Stampede Martina Holtkamp, Miss Rodeo Canada Jayden Calvert and Miss Ponoka Stampede Mackenzie Skeels. (Janaia Hutzal/For Ponoka News)
Pop-up banner image