It was an exhilarating showcase of skill and teamwork at this year’s Team Cattle Penning Championship at the Calgary Stampede as Ronnie Fleming, Stewart Maschmeyer, and Cameron Maschmeyer got the win in the 10-Class competition. The trio from Bruderheim, Alberta showed skill, prowess, and a little luck as they clinched the top spot in the event.

Reflecting on their winning performance, Fleming described the run as “just a blur,” emphasizing the rapid pace and high stakes of the competition. “On the second go, we said flags up. Cam wasn’t ready, but we went anyway. On the first go, it just worked out. We had a nice first calf, good first pull, good layup and draw. Didn’t have a smoker time but enough to get to the next round, and that’s where the magic happened.”

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Stewart Maschmeyer says from the qualifications to the championships, the run wasn’t without its challenges.

“The cattle were challenging by the end of the day,” he says. “A heat like that, lots of runs. If you made any mistakes, you were going to pay for it. It was definitely a challenge and luck of the draw. If you drew some poor cattle, they’ll bump you out.”

The fast-paced event gives teams of three riders on horseback 60 seconds to separate three specifically cattle from a herd of 30 and pen them at the opposite end of the arena. It requires impeccable coordination and strategy and has quickly become one of the highlights of the Stampede.

The Maschmeyers run a 5,000-acre cow-calf operation in Bruderheim. Their commitment to the sport is evident and they credit an older brother who takes care of the farm when they’re competing throughout the summer months.

Cameron Maschmeyer expressed his gratitude to the Calgary Stampede for its support and helping to grow the popularity of Team Cattle Penning.

“A few years ago, the arena would be half filled with spectators,” he says. “This week, they were closing the doors and turning people away because it was at full capacity. It’s incredible to ride in front of a crowd of that size.”