2026 Calgary Stampede Rangeland Derby presented by Play Alberta Champions
Panorama Advisory Group Outfit
(L-R): Calgary Stampede Chuckwagon & Relay Committee Chairman Justin Wylie Presenting,
Outrider Kale Lajeunese, Driver Jamie Laboucane, Outrider Hayden Motowylo
Photo By Shellie Scott
The stage was set for an unforgettable finish on Sunday night as the 2026 Calgary Stampede Rangeland Derby presented by Play Alberta concluded with its Championship Final at Stampede Park. In an exhilarating and historic finale, Jamie Laboucane, driving the Panorama Advisory Group outfit, along with outriders Hayden Motowylo and Kale Lajeunesse, captured the Championship Final Heat from barrel position two, defeating two-time champion Jason Glass by an impressive 2.09 seconds. Glass, racing from barrel position three, finished second, while defending champion Chanse Vigen, starting from barrel position one, knocked over a barrel and had to settle for third. The victory gave Laboucane his first Calgary Stampede Rangeland Derby Championship in just his second consecutive appearance in the Championship Final Heat. Laboucane’s performance over the 10-day competition was one of the most dominant and memorable in Rangeland Derby history.
The Richard Cosgrave Memorial Safe Drive Award was won for the second consecutive year by Logan Gorst for being the least penalized drivers over 10 nights of the Calgary Stampede Rangeland Derby presented by Play Alberta and for having the best time in the overall Aggregate Standings. Gorst was penalty free for all ten days and had the best aggregate time of all penalty-free drivers with a total time of 12:08.24.
The Orville Strandquist Memorial Top Rookie Driver Award went to Cruise Bensmiller for having the best 10-day Aggregate time of 12:16.32 among all of the first-time drivers. Bensmiller was in a tough rookie class that included Layne Flad and Ryan Baptiste. Bensmiller ended up in seventh overall in his Rangeland Derby debut. Rory Gervais was named the Calgary Stampede’s Outstanding Outrider for a record ninth time.
The Equine Athlete of Excellence Awards recognizing the “real stars” of the Calgary Stampede Rangeland Derby were also handed out. Chanse Vigen’s “Greyson” was recognized as the Champion Left Leader, Jason Glass’ “Proud” the Champion Right Leader, Jamie Laboucane’s “Ghost” the Champion Left Wheeler, Rae Croteau Jr.’s “Appreciated” the Champion Right Wheeler, and the Champion Outriding Horses were “Easter” of Logan Gorst and “Goji” of Obrey Motowylo.
On the night, Jamie Laboucane’s championship run turned out to be Kirk’s Trail Tire Wheels on Fire Fast Time of the Night as well as the top time of the 10-day Stampede with a 1:10.18. Cruise Bensmiller placed second, Mitch Sutherland was third, with Logan Gorst and Chance Bensmiller filling out the top five on the final night of competition.
The WPCA Pro Tour resumes in High River for the Battle of the Foothills starting Thursday, July 23, 2026. Live action can be heard starting on Friday at 9:00pm ET, 8:00pm CT and 7:00pm MT on 96.5 The Ranch, or streaming options are available through the WPCA Website at wpca.com, iHeart Radio website/app or the Radioplayer Canada website/app.
Billy Melville
