Alberta bull rider Garrett Green secured a share of the top score on Day 9 of the Calgary Stampede rodeo, earning a spot in Showdown Sunday despite a painful dismount that left him spitting blood. Green, from Meeting Creek, matched Wyoming's Hayden Welsh with an 87-point ride on Muffin Man, advancing from fourth place in the pool standings to qualify for the championship round.
Green's Determination to Win for Canada
“Yeah, yeah, yeah … they do,” Green said when asked if fans want a Canadian winner. “So I’m going to do that for them.” The 34-year-old has made Showdown Sunday twice before but failed to complete his ride both times, lasting only seven seconds. “This year, we’re going eight,” he vowed.
Green entered Saturday’s performance outside the top-three money placings needed to advance, sitting fourth after being flagged for slapping his bull on Thursday. He rebounded with an 85.5-point ride on Friday for a second-place cheque of $5,500, setting up a decisive Saturday effort.
Hard Fall and Recovery
After riding the requisite eight seconds, Green landed chest-first on the ground, then scrambled away from the bull before seeking medical attention. “Just hit down that hard,” he confirmed. “Bruised my lungs or something.” He was spitting up blood into a cup immediately after the ride. Despite the injury, Green insisted he would be ready for Sunday: “The doctors don’t know, but I know I’ll be ready.”
Green came into the Stampede fresh off an 88.5-point ride for a win in the Cody Snyder Charity Bullbustin’ pre-Stampede event in Calgary. His performance on Saturday was the best of Pool C’s third day, matching Welsh’s 87.
Showdown Sunday at GMC Stadium
Green now advances to Showdown Sunday at GMC Stadium, where the winner of the bull riding event will be determined. He acknowledged the pressure of the $50,000 prize and the Calgary Stampede atmosphere: “You start thinking, ‘Oh, $50,000, Calgary Stampede,’ and your head starts spinning and you’re gonna hit the dirt.” To avoid that, he focused on basics: “Just don’t think about it … just go at them one jump at a time.”
