The International Professional Rodeo Association (IPRA) saw major competition in August, with three standout rodeos offering some of the biggest payouts of the season. From New York to Québec and Tennessee, top athletes showcased their skills while chasing a top position in the coveted IPRA world championship standings.
The Utica Stampede in Utica, New York, led the month’s payouts, paying out a total $40,131.01 across all disciplines during its Aug. 1-2 competition. Festival du Cowboy de Chambord in Chambord, Québec, followed closely with a $29,880.00 total payout, while the Ardmore Fire & Police Rodeo in Ardmore, Tennessee, rounded out the top three August payouts with $11,790.00 awarded.
Utica Stampede Takes Center Stage
The Utica Stampede was highlighted by fierce competition in nearly every event. Paige Pursel of Pennsylvania topped the breakaway roping, clocking a 2.0-second run to earn $2,069.73, the single largest individual payout of the rodeo. In team roping, the father-son duo of Braxton and Brad Culpepper took first place with a 4.7-second run, netting $1,544.40 each.
Other notable wins included Matt Fisher in steer wrestling with a lightning-fast 3.4-second run for $1,872.00 and Jarod Nooren, who claimed tie-down roping honors with a 9.2-second run worth $1,989.00. In the arena’s speed event, Jaycee Lynn Leinaweaver topped the barrel racing leaderboard with a 12.811-second run, collecting $1,695.33.
Québec Showcases Top Talent
North of the border, Canadian rodeo athletes took center stage at the Festival du Cowboy de Chambord. Jordan Giguere delivered a crowd-pleasing bull ride, scoring 81 points to secure $2,700.00, the highest single-event payout of the month.
In the saddle bronc riding, Reginald Lecourt and Thomas Christie split the top spot with 77-point rides, each earning $1,197.00. Tie-down roper Jesse Kinsman posted a winning 12.5-second run for $1,764.00, while Darcey Saunders dominated steer wrestling with a 4.6-second time worth $2,070.00.
Barrel racing was equally competitive, with Jinny Gosselin edging out the field at 15.308 seconds, bringing home $2,132.10.
Ardmore Honors First Responders
The Ardmore Fire & Police Rodeo featured rising stars and seasoned veterans. Emma Parks led the breakaway roping with a 3.1-second run to earn $855.00, while Brady Schmidt and Josh Clayton topped team roping with a 6.1-second run worth $990.00 each.
In barrel racing, Lacey Boyd took home top honors with a 15.785-second run for $652.50.
Top August Earners in Review
The three rodeos combined for more than $81,800 in total payouts, providing valuable opportunities for athletes to climb the world standings ahead of the season’s final stretch.
The Utica Stampede proved to be the month’s marquee event, with Pursel, Nooren, and the Culpeppers among the top earners. Chambord showcased international talent, highlighted by Giguere’s commanding bull ride, while Ardmore celebrated community spirit and rising talent.
As the season heads toward its conclusion, each dollar earned brings competitors closer to a coveted spot at the International Finals Rodeo in January. For a full view of results, standings and schedules, please visit here.
