Gardner rides to second-place showing in event at Ponoka

PONOKA, ALTA. — Fort St. John bull rider Jake Gardner impressed the Alberta crowds in his final Canadian event before this year’s Calgary Stampede.

Gardner, who now resides in Alberta, rode to a second-place finish overall at the Ponoka Stampede, an exhibition and Rodeo in central Alberta.

Gardner has flirted with the top position in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association’s (PRCA) money list throughout 2026, and he continued his strong performances in the event’s opening round.

Riding a bull named VB 09 Kryptonite, Gardner began with a score of 83.75, putting him in fifth place after Sunday, June 28.

He collected $2,226.80 from his first round performance, setting the stage for the finals on Canada Day.

On Wednesday, July 1, Gardner rode Judge and Jury to a final round score of 88.75, putting him in top position for the time being.

However, Saskatchewan’s Grady Young rode to a score of 90.75 on the back of All Gold Rolex, taking the overall victory.

While Gardner’s three-round total score placed him third overall, he was elevated to second after rivals Glen Erickson and Lonnie West, both of Alberta, were bucked off their bulls in the final round.

“Had a blast playing in the mud,” wrote Gardner on his Facebook after the event. 

Gardner has an event scheduled for St. Paul, Oregon, before heading to Calgary to compete at the 2026 Calgary Stampede.

Energeticcity.ca has reached out to Gardner for further comment.