At only 15, Matt Howard is on his way back to the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.
Over the last few years, Howard has been making a splash in the Junior Steer Riding Alberta Circuit. This will be his third appearance at the Calgary Stampede. He will be riding this Wednesday, July 12.
He is excited to be back at the Stampede and explains that in the Junior Steer Riding division there is no need to qualify, but he has proved so far that he is up to the task.
In the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association (CPRA) Alberta Circuit, while he hasn’t won any event this season he is ranked in the top six.
“I was third up until this weekend, and he I was bumped down to fourth or fifth,” he said.
This is Howard’s last year of Steer Riding and then he will go up to junior bulls. Howard rides for Bridgemen Services of Didsbury, and wears the Canadian Cancer Society patch on his vest in honour of his mother Tanya Howard who passed away from cancer in 2008.