Kalaye Hawkes and her horse CC My Zip is Cool, racing at the MacMillan Show Centre in the Stampede Shootout on Aug. 23. Photo by Aidan Rawding /Truro NewsArticle contentBIBLE HILL – As the Nova Scotia Stampede nears, local riders recently vied for a spot at the event’s rodeo.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentOn May 31-June 1 and Aug. 23-24, barrel racers from across the Maritimes gathered in Bible Hill to compete in the Stampede Shootout.Article contentArticle contentThey all entered the arena with the same goal: to race at the second annual Nova Scotia Stampede, happening Sept. 18-21 at the Nova Scotia Provincial Exhibition Complex.Article contentArticle contentAfter the competition took place, the Stampede Shootout announced that the following eight riders qualified for the Nova Scotia Stampede: Stevi Jardine, Laura Morrison, Kaleigh Denton, Jenna Burge, Summer Fraser, Olivia Westcott, Lorie Eaton Angevine, and Elaine Maclean.Article contentTim Parker and Sylvester Weatherbie, the organizers behind the two-weekend event, estimated that about 85 riders came out to compete the first weekend, and about 40 riders competed in the second.Article contentThe local event helps Maritime riders get a chance to compete in the Stampede rodeo alongside those from other provinces in the country like Quebec and Ontario, for example, explained Weatherbie.Article content Olivia Westcott and her horse Overdrivesfirstlady were one of around 40 competitors in Bible Hill on Aug. 23. Photo by Aidan Rawding /Truro NewsArticle content“We do have some really good talent in the horses here, and cowgirls,” added Parker, referring to the Maritime region, “that can show up at the Nova Scotia Stampede and compete, and they don’t look out of place when they get there.”Article contentArticle contentChristine Doane, a barrel racer from North River who participated in the Stampede Shootout, shares that she raced in the first-ever Nova Scotia Stampede last year.Article content“To have that caliber of rodeo in Nova Scotia is awesome. I wish there was more.”Article contentAfter competing in the local Stampede, she said it made her want to enter the rodeo scene again. She used to compete in rodeos when she lived in Alberta, before moving to Nova Scotia.Article content Christine Doane stands beside her horse, Chopper. The barrel racer hailing from North River competed in the first-ever Nova Scotia Stampede in 2024. Photo by Aidan Rawding /Truro NewsArticle content“I’ve been going to Quebec this year with IPRA (International Professional Rodeo Association), and stuff like that, just trying to get … back into real rodeo,” she said, “but the Stampede definitely is what made me realize how much I missed it.”Article contentBarrel racing is one of five rodeo events happening at the Nova Scotia Stampede. Others include bull riding, saddle bronc, bareback riding, and gymkhana.Article contentAll five events will be featured daily on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, according to the Stampede’s website.Article content“The big thing is just providing a path to the biggest stage that these cowgirls will ever compete on,” concludes Parker, referring to the Stampede.Article content
Barrel racers compete for spot at Nova Scotia Stampede rodeo
