Border restrictions give Canadian barrel racers unexpected opportunity to compete in Calgary Stampede
The Calgary Stampede will be missing some of the top American barrel racers at this year's unconventional Stampede, which means an opportunity for five Alberta cowgirls.
Border restrictions and the fact the money they earn in Calgary won't go towards the world standings (helping them qualify for the National Finals Rodeo) is keeping some Americans south of the border this year.
But that doesn't mean the Stampede is over a barrel. Instead of American hotshots, the Stampede is filling open spots with Canadian barrel racers.
100 COWGIRLS TRY TO QUALIFY
The list isn't out yet but it's expected well over 100 cowgirls will head to Innisfail this weekend to try and qualify for the Stampede.
19-year-old Bradi Whiteside will be one of them. She grew up on a ranch near High River and has always been around horses.
She said it's always been her dream to compete at the Calgary Stampede.
"I've always wanted to compete with those girls. Being able to compete with them would be so cool."
Whiteside will hook up her horse Sis and try to get around the barrels as fast as she can in Innisfail.
Only five will qualify for the Stampede so she knows she'll have to be on top of her game.
"A lot of good people and there's going to be so many good horses run there and everybody has the same idea in mind." she told CTV.
"They want to be at Calgary at the end of it. Yeah it's going to be huge and it's not going to be easy. It's going to be tough."
Bradi's sister Kylie is also heading to Innisfail for the qualifier. The 21-year-old raced at the Calgary Stampede in 2019 and said it was a huge thrill for her.
"I would be so excited to go back again," she said.
"It was definitely one of my favourite rodeos to compete at. Just the atmosphere, it was super fun."
Kylie would love to compete against her sister at the Stampede. She said it would be cool to have the two of them there at the same time.
"It would be pretty special to run with your sister," Kylie said.
"We get to rodeo all year round but to run at a rodeo like that together would be even more special and fun."
Competing in Calgary is nothing new to the Whitesides. Their father Travis qualified multiple times at the greatest outdoor show on earth in the bareback.
Bradi said she'd love to add her name to the list.
"I mean it would be a huge opportunity after watching my sister and my dad compete there. My sister competed there when they had it last (2019) and my dad when I was a little girl. Such a great rodeo. The best that there is."
Qualifying in Innisfail will run on Sunday and Monday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
2 charged after police find 'concerning and diverse' explosives at Manitoba home
Winnipeg police say they have arrested two people in their 20s after a large amount of explosives were found in a home outside of Winnipeg, Man.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Spain abolishes national bullfighting award in cultural shift
Spain scrapped an annual bullfighting award on Friday, prompting a rebuke from conservatives over a backlash against a centuries-old tradition they see as an art form but which has run into growing concern for animal welfare.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.
Police officer hit by driver of fleeing vehicle in Toronto
York Regional Police say they are continuing to search for a suspect in an auto theft investigation who was captured on video running over a police officer in Toronto last month.