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Entry-level job this year's top prize at Calgary Stampede rodeo

As unemployment rates in Alberta climb, The Calgary Stampede has announced that this year’s top Rodeo prize will be a full-time position with the organization as a Mailroom Clerk.
Ify Chiwetelu · CBC Comedy ·
(Shutterstock / Ch.L)

CALGARY, AB—As unemployment rates in Alberta climb, The Calgary Stampede has announced that this year's top Rodeo prize will be a full-time position with the organization as a Mailroom Clerk.

"We noticed an influx of new graduates and recently unemployed professionals trying to qualify for the Rodeo events. We also noticed that there are vacancies in our mailroom," said Calgary Stampede COO Paul Rosenberg in a press release. "We saw an opportunity."

The Stampede Rodeo, known as the World's Richest Tournament Style Rodeo, traditionally issues a top prize of $100,000 to the winner of each major rodeo event, giving out over $2 million in prize money annually.

"Times have changed. Participants have let us know they don't want a one-time cash prize, they want stability... and dental," wrote Rosenberg.

The release goes on to detail that in addition to changes to the top prizes, they will be relaxing qualification requirements for Alberta residents wishing to compete in all rodeo events including steer wrestling, tie down roping, and bareback riding.

26-year-old Liam Ogilvie, a first-time participant in the Bull Riding competition, who revealed that he has never even seen a live bull, is optimistic about his chances. "I've worked unpaid internships since 2013. I've spent thousands of hours working for free, I think I can stay on a bull for eight-seconds."

Not all competitors have their eyes on the grand prize, seeing the competition more as an opportunity to network.

"You have to make your own opportunities, and make sure people know what you offer as a potential employee," explained former Division Energy CEO, and first-time barrel racer, Janet Blondeau.

Blondeau will be competing with her horses named after her resume highlights, "16-Years of Industry Experience" and "I Have an MBA", and has plans to distribute her resume in the stands in between rounds of competition.

Runner-up prizes for this year's competition include personal financial planning services, dibs on the next job opening in Calgary, and a 1-year LinkedIn Premium Account subscription. Interested Rodeo competitors are asked to submit a cover letter and resume to the Calgary Stampede by 5:00pm on Friday.