The Manitoba Stampede & Exhibition brought thousands to Morris for three full days of western action, local flavours, and family fun, with activities starting early and running well into the night. This year’s event featured a stacked schedule of crowd favourites, from stock dog trials and rodeo events to circus shows, mounted shooters, and live music.
Family favourites and first-time thrills
Each morning kicked off with a pancake breakfast sponsored by Access Credit Union, feeding hungry early risers before a full slate of arena action. From there, it was non-stop energy: the Precision Land Solutions Arena hosted gymkhana, farm chore shows, and stock dog trials, while the Accupipe Arena kept audiences engaged with team penning, mounted shooting, and team sorting.
Team penning competitor Brent Mase, who travelled about 30 minutes outside Morris, says he’s been riding since the age of 12 and got into the sport through family.
“It started with my father, then my mother did it, and then I got into it,” notes Mase.
Mase rides a horse named Vegas, a recent addition to his team, and focuses solely on team penning. He doesn’t compete in barrels or rodeo events, though he says he usually enjoys watching them when time allows.
Kids had plenty to enjoy with Mr. Circus's performances, pony rides at the Heavy Horse Barn, and the Prairie Exotics Exhibit inside the South Orange Building. Midway rides opened daily at noon, drawing a mix of adrenaline seekers and young families.
Outdoor concessions kept bellies full, and the Scratching River Saloon beer gardens opened daily at 11 a.m., staying busy as crowds flowed between events.
Music, rodeo, and community connections
Entertainment filled the grandstands daily, including chuckwagon and chariot racing and Manitoba’s professional rodeo. Sunday morning offered a community church service at the grandstands, followed by another round of arena competitions.
The main stage saw performances from Nelson Little, Prairie Line, The Sean Taylor Band, and Matt Zimmerman, who says he was thrilled to be part of the lineup this year.
Volunteers and visitors make it memorable.
Stampede board member Tim Lewis says the weekend wouldn’t be possible without community involvement, strong crowds, and the volunteers who keep things running smoothly.
“There’s so much that goes into an event like this, and it all comes together because of the people behind the scenes,” says Lewis.
Lewis continues by saying the turnout this year has been incredible.
“Every year we see new faces and returning ones, and it’s that mix that makes the Manitoba Stampede so special,” notes Lewis.
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