Schiffner stumbles in Pool A at Stampede
By Tyler Lowey, Times Reporter
Tyler Lowey Photo
Never in his previous 16 stops at the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth has Schiffner gone 0-4 against the bulls, but that’s exactly what took place during the four rides of Pool A earlier this week.
“I was feeling good going into it, no different than the past few seasons. There are a couple nagging injuries but that’s just a part of my career at this point. In no way were they the reason for what happened this week,” said Schiffner, who won the Stampede in 2001 and 2016.
The week started off July 6 by Schiffner nearly covering a nasty bull that goes by the name Somethin’ Cool.
It wasn’t that cool for Schiffner when the bull made a quick jump-turn to the outside and sent the local product flying in and around the seven second mark.
“That was just one of them deals, I was close to seven seconds on a bull that not a lot of riders cover, so I took some positives out of that ride,” said Schiffner.
Day 2 wasn’t as great of a ride for Schiffner, as he couldn’t hang onto Flying High, barely making it out of the chutes.
“That one got away from me pretty quick. No excuses about it, I should and needed to be better,” said Schiffner.
When Day 3 rolled around, there was still plenty of money on the table in a wide-open pool. The daily winner pocketed $5,500, second earned $4,500, third took home $3,500, fourth earned $2,500 and fifth still cashed in $1,500. The top four cowboys in the money from the first four days of riding, advance to the Sunday, July 15 championship round.
When the chutes opened July 8, Schiffner was only a short go away from jumping into second place in the money.
“I used to count numbers and think what I needed to do to advance, but I don’t anymore. I just focus on staying on the bull each ride. If I would have covered all four rides, I wouldn’t need to count numbers, I would be coming back Sunday guaranteed,” said Schiffner.
Click Clackin had other plans and sent the 38-year-old Schiffner flying after five seconds.
Rounding out the four days of riding, Schiffner again was bucked off by Tallons. He was the only rider out of the 10 to not win any money.
As painful of a pill it was to swallow for Schiffner, he was still glad to be back at the Stampede. Even though he was too focused in the chutes to hear announcers Wayne Brooks and Bob Tallman shower him with praise, Schiffner said it felt great to be back in the Stampede atmosphere.
“I’m pretty focused at the rodeo and don’t hear all the noise that goes on the outside. When I walk around (and) I hear people tell me how great I am, I’ll immediately tell them how wrong they are. But it’s the Calgary Stampede and I love it here. Not only is it one of the most recognized rodeos and I’m competing against the 19 best riders in the world, but it’s also close to home which allows a lot of my family and friends to come out and watch,” said Schiffner.
Schiffner had a couple days on his hands while Pool B rode at the Grandstand. There still is a chance for Schiffner to move on, as he plans to return for Wildcard Saturday at the Stampede, which starts at 1:30 p.m. From the wildcard round, the top two riders of the 12 non-qualified riders get an automatic berth into Championship Sunday.
“I’ve never advanced through the wildcard round, so this will be a first for me,” said Schiffner. “Nothing changes, I am just going to prepare for this ride like I do for every other ride.”
Until then, Schiffner will experience another first when his eight-year-old daughter performs at a trick-riding presentation at the Stampede.