Alberta’s Zeke Thurston scores saddle bronc hat trick at Calgary Stampede
CALGARY — Hail bounced off Zeke Thurston’s hat while he contemplated his place in rodeo history.
The 23-year-old from Big Valley, Alta., became the first man to win three straight saddle bronc titles at the Calgary Stampede when he completed the hat trick Sunday.
“They say great things and success happen when preparation and the opportunity meet and I guess that’s just what that was today,” the reigning world champion said.
Thurston scored 92 aboard Get Smart to just beat fellow Albertan Layton Green’s 91.5 on Wild Cherry in the final showdown of the top four competitors.