Opening Night Recap
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 16th, 2026
Surrey, B.C. – Under the lights at the Stetson Bowl, the 2026 Cloverdale Rodeo officially thundered to life on Friday night as the weather held and fans packed the grandstands for an electric opening performance. The first Pool A Go Round delivered everything rodeo fans could ask for: big rides, dramatic moments, and a fresh energy throughout the arena.
New rodeo host Cowboi Cole kept the crowd engaged from start to finish, while exciting additions like the trick riders and Roman riders added a new layer of entertainment between competitions and helped set the stage for what is shaping up to be an unforgettable Cloverdale Rodeo weekend.
Friday night's competition was also live-streamed directly by the Association, and a replay is available on the website. This broadcast format provides fans with a chance to see the action, even if tickets are sold out. Saturday afternoon's go-round two for Pool A is already sold out, so fans are encouraged to follow their favourite riders on the live stream if they haven't already purchased tickets. Event organizers will be updating the news story with links for each performance – fans can find [live streams and replays here](https://cloverdalerodeo.com/rodeo/live-streams-and-replays).
Ty Taypotat Steals the Spotlight
The opening night of rodeo action at the 2026 Cloverdale Rodeo delivered big rides and even bigger scores in the Pool A Go Round 1 competition. In bareback riding, Ty Taypotat stole the spotlight with an impressive 87-point ride on his latest "rematch" with Perlich Bros' "Knock Out" to claim the top spot and $2,800. As announcer Brett Gardner remarked, "this is a combination that has produced big scores and big money time and time again."
Ethan Mazurenko stayed close behind at 86.5 points on "Friendly," while Cooper Filipek rounded out the top three with an 85.5-point performance on "Let's Tango." The opening round showcased the depth of talent in the bareback field, with multiple rides pushing into the mid-80s and setting the tone for an exciting weekend of roughstock action.
Kolby Wanchuck Posts the Night's Top Score
Saddle bronc riding brought the crowd to its feet with a standout performance from Cloverdale Rodeo fan favourite and 2024 champion, Kolby Wanchuck, who posted the highest score of the night across all events with a huge 91.5-point ride on "Double Red." Kade Bruno followed with a strong 88-point effort aboard "Hoglund's Chucky," while 2025 Cloverdale champion Logan Hay opened his 2026 campaign with an 86.5-point ride on "Ice Man." Veteran stars Ben Andersen and Zeke Thurston also cracked the lea...
Madison Wilkerson Wins a Razor-Thin Battle
Ladies barrel racing featured a razor-thin battle against the clock, with Madison Wilkerson thundering to an opening round victory in a blazing time of 16.07 seconds. Rene Leclercq finished just behind at 16.18, while Taylor Cherry stopped the clock at 16.21 to secure third. Less than four-tenths of a second separated the top six competitors, highlighting just how competitive the field was on opening night. Delaney Douglas, Karli Cowie, and Vanessa Leggett also turned in strong runs to keep them...
Jacob Gardner Rises to the Occasion
Bull riding lived up to its reputation as the most unpredictable event of the night, but Jacob Gardner rose to the occasion with a clutch 87.5-point ride on "Handsome Devil" to take the Pool A lead and collect $3,450. Jordan Hansen added an 86-point ride on "Glamorama" to secure second place, while Dusty Golden was the final rider to cover his bull, earning 79.5 points on "Hired Gun." With only three qualified rides recorded, every successful eight-second effort carried major weight in the stand...
Friday, May 15th, 2026 – 7:30 pm
About The Cloverdale Rodeo and Exhibition Association
Established in February 1888 to promote and encourage agricultural development in the Lower Fraser Valley, the Cloverdale Rodeo and Exhibition Association is the non-profit organization that manages the world-famous Cloverdale Rodeo & Country Fair held every year on the May long weekend at the Cloverdale Fairgrounds in Surrey, British Columbia. As one of British Columbia's largest and most anticipated annual events, the Cloverdale Rodeo & Country Fair delivers thrilling rodeo action, incredible...
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Event Location: Cloverdale Fairgrounds, 6060 176th Street, Surrey, British Columbia
Media Inquiries: Cloverdale Rodeo and Country Fair — Email: media@cloverdalerodeo.com
Social Media: Instagram: @cloverdalerodeo — Facebook: @CloverdaleRodeo
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