Wild cowgirl racers are set to barrel down the track and into the hearts of rodeo fans at the 96th annual Williams Lake Stampede.
The event was founded 10 years ago by local farrier Monica Byrd, who wanted to create a unique and thrilling event for women to be part of the professional rodeo.
Byrd came up with the idea for the 3/8 of a mile flat race on the Stampede Grounds track as a way to shine the spotlight back on women in the male-dominated sport of rodeo.
An accomplished rider herself, Byrd has competed a few times over the last eight seasons and describes the experience as exhilarating.
“It’s an absolute adrenaline rush,” she said of racing down the track into the arena in front of the packed grandstands.
“It feels like you are running into a cloud of energy.”
Byrd’s love of horses can be attributed to her upbringing at Deep Creek, north of Williams Lake, where she was raised by her mom Donnella Sellars, and also heavily influenced by her grandmother who lives next door, Nan. Her summers as a girl were spent on horseback, exploring every side trail and back road from Deep Creek to Forest Lake.
She said the Wild Cowgirl Race has really struck a chord with women, who travel from all corners of the province to compete at the Stampede. When Byrd opens the race for entries, it’s filled within minutes, and there is always a wait list.
“It ended up being a big hit. It’s gone beyond anything I had hoped for,” she said of the race’s popularity.
“It’s just a bunch of girls out there racing their horses. It’s exciting.”
The race is comprised of 18 riders and their horses. There are three heats of six racers held Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with the top two from each heat competing to win the finals on Monday for the championship.
Besides the thrill of competing, Byrd said the racers are also drawn in by the sense of camaraderie among competitors.
“There are racers who have met at the Stampede and have become best friends. They had said it has changed their lives.”
Two of those friends are Lisa Parfiniuk who was the overall champion in 2022, and Kayle Hartman who was the overall champion in 2023.
Local rider Amanda Lulua is the only woman to have raced every year, placing second overall last year.
Another local rider, Kaitlyn McClure and her horse Kacey will also be returning to the race this year. She was the champion in 2015, 2017 and 2018, and was fourth overall in 2022.
“I’m super excited. It’s going to be another great year of racing," Byrd said.
Another factor in the success of the race is the big payouts.
The winner of each heat race receives $1,200 and a heat race buckle, second place gets $600, third place gets $400, fourth place receives $200, while fifth and sixth place also receive a prize.
The overall winner receives a saddle donated by Ellis Cattle Co. and a championship buckle.
Byrd said the race wouldn’t be the success it is without the support of sponsors.
Those sponsors include:
Cash prize payout of $6,500 from MNP LLP and $2,500 from the Williams Lake Tribune.
The championship saddle from Ellis Cattle Co.
Buckle sponsors Longhorn Fencing Williams Lake (Heat 2 and reserve champion), Irish Excavating and Contracting (Heat 1 and 3). Overall champion Downtown Service and Trailers.
Prize sponsors include OK Tire Williams Lake, Western Wood Heat Inc., Horizon Climate Control, Diamond J. Contracting and Monica’s Farrier Service as well as Elite Hemp and Wild Cactus Design Co.
