Earning $2,000 on day one of his 2011 Calgary Stampede was the start Todd Maughn was looking for.
The Airdrie steer wrestler tied for fourth on day five – day one of pool B – of the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth with a 4.5 second performance at the Stampede grounds in Calgary on July 12.
“Today was pretty good, just calm and relaxed and I got a placing on day one,” he said.
“All you want to do the first day is place and just get that out of the way, so mission accomplished for day one.”
Cody Cassidy’s 3.6 was tops among the pool B contestants on day one, while Matt Reeves has the fastest time in pool A’s first four days with a 3.4.
“That 3.6 was a heckuva ride by Cody, but I’ll get a chance to draw that steer on Thursday (July 14). But it’s not necessarily the best steer in here either,” Maughn said.
The 10 steer wrestlers in pool B will wrap their fourth day on July 15, with the top four advancing to ‘Showdown Sunday’ along with the top four from pool A and two riders from ‘Wild Card Saturday’.
Maughn said he would need to make a few minor adjustments moving forward.
“I’m happy that I placed, but I probably could have been faster on that steer and I definitely need to get out a little quicker,” he said. “I’ve been riding a horse I haven’t ridden in a few years, but the horse felt awesome. I think, moving forward, if I can get a better start as the week goes on, I’ll do alright.”
His previous experience at the Stampede, as well as attending it as a youth, could also benefit him as the weekend approaches, he said.
“I grew up around here and have been here so many times – I think this my seventh or eighth time competing here,” Maughn said.
“Sure you get a little revved up for this rodeo, just because there is so much money and it is such a different format. It is by far the best rodeo in the world. This is what it is and that’s the approach you have to take. You don’t want to put any extra pressure on yourself either.”
Airdrie’s only other competitor at the 2011 Calgary Stampede is junior steer rider Kyler Hooper.
