Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede kicks off 2026 rodeo season

Posted on April 23, 2026 by Ryan Dahlman

Southern Alberta Newspapers

The Broncs & Honky Tonks Spring Indoor Rodeo held in Medicine Hat over the April 11-12 weekend kicked off Pro Rodeo Canada’s 2025 season with dozens of competitors across eight events.

The three-day event kicked off the Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede’s 2026 calendar, with dust flying and heart pumping action on the dirt.

Lucas Macza took first in saddle bronc riding, with an 83-point ride of Duane Kesler Championship Rodeo’s 580 Hoglunds Oak Garden, earning $1,518.38. Hayle Lueders and Hunter Sippola tied for second place with 82.5-point rides, each earning $1,125.70.

Macza, a five-time CFR qualifier, solidified his second place positioning in the Canadian Pro Rodeo Association’s early season bronc riding standings with Sunday’s ride.

Cruz McNulty won the bareback riding event, with a 78.5-point ride on Duane Kesler Championship Rodeo’s 426 Country Dancer, winning $1,232.15. Wyatt Maines finished second with a 76-point run and Bucky McAlpine came third with a 74-point ride, earning $1,019.71 and $807.27 respectively.

Charlie King topped the Medicine Hat field in steer wrestling with a 4.1 second run, earning $2,816. Harley Cole finished second with a 4.3 second run, winning $2,448.70 and Carter McIntyre came third with a 4.5 second run, earning $2,081.40.

Reigning Canadian Champion barrel racer Jayden Wilson had the top run this weekend, taking the money with a 12.57 second ride for the top money of the event, $3,139.60. Sydney Branden came second with a 12.66 second run, earning $2,511.68 and Lynette Brodoway earned this and $2,040.74 with a 12.69 second run.

The duo of Tyce McLeod and Ty Vaile won the team roping event, earning the money with a 4.7 second run, taking home $2,324.15 each. Brett Buss and Joey Romo II had a 5.8 second run, finishing second to take home $2,021. Two teams tied for third with 6.2 second runs, Rhett Haveroen/Jade Shaw and Coy Skocdopole/Wyatt Smith taking home $1,566.27 each.

Beau Cooper took home the top money in the tie-down roping, running a 9.1 second time and a $2,664 reward. Kirk Robinson had a 9.5 second time, taking home $2,317.10 and Logan Bird finished third with a 10.1 second run, earning $1,969.53.

The top bull rider was Edgar Durazo, hanging on for an 87.5-point ride on Duane Kesler Championship Rodeo’s 877 Down With The Devil, winning $1,537.46. Tanner Eno and Jacob Gardner tied for second with 85-point rides, taking home $1,139.84 each.

In the junior steer riding event, Ryder Topolinski took first with a 77-point run, winning $535.44. Jason Wills finished second with a 72-point run, taking home $401.58 and Quade Tye won $267.72 with a third-place 71.5-point ride.

The Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede hosts the WPCA Chuckwagons on June 11-14 before the real dirt flies for the Summer Pro Rodeo during Stampede week. The Pro Rodeo runs July 23-25.