Elora Kiddle is the winner of the 2025 Calgary Stampede Poster contest.
Staff with the Stampede announced Kiddle's work as the official artwork on Wednesday morning.
"Her work, capturing the essence of barrel racing, is a vibrant symbol of determination, grit, and the transformative journey of perseverance. The 24-by-36-inch acrylic on canvas, titled Grit to Greatness, features Barrel Racer Kellie Jorgensen (née Collier) and her horse, Salty, in an intense, action-packed moment during the iconic Calgary Stampede Rodeo in 2021," wrote the Stampede in a news release.
Kiddle is a 22-year-old born and raised Calgarian. She says her poster is about the journey from grit to greatness.
"Just like the Stampede grew from dust into The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth, creating this piece meant pushing through challenges. With every splatter and brushstroke, I felt like I was finding my own voice as an artist."
Kiddle and her family celebrate the Calgary Stampede every year, and her twin sister also participates as a trombonist with the Calgary Stampede Showband.
She mentioned this is her third time taking part in the contest.
“The Stampede has always been a big part of my life. I got my first job in the Grandstand, where I witnessed the energy and determination of the Rodeo every day,” says Kiddle, who recently graduated from the Alberta University of the Arts. “I wanted to channel that same level of determination and excitement while creating this year’s Poster. I’ve dreamed of this moment for years, and to see it come to life is something I’ll carry with me forever."
According to the Stampede, the competition also gave out a $10,000 Dustin Peers Memorial Scholarship to Kiddle from the Brandon Flock Foundation.
"The Brandon Flock Foundation also awards an additional $10,000 in scholarships across the competition, bringing the total to $20,000 annually for the top eight finalists, making it one of Canada’s largest art scholarships," added the Stampede.
The organization is accepting applications for the 2026 poster competition for teenagers from 15 to 24 until December 6.