Port Alberni’s Makenna Cyr made a memorable debut at the Calgary Stampede, competing for the first time in team penning and attending the event itself for the first time. Despite being unprepared for the scale of the arena and crowds, Cyr embraced the experience, interacting with spectators and sharing her passion for the sport and farming. Her team placed 13th out of 235, impressively advancing to the top 20 and competing at the Nutrien Western Event Centre downtown. Team penning involves three riders working together to quickly separate and pen specific cattle, requiring strong communication and partnership with their horses.

Cyr’s journey into team penning began about eight years ago after starting with barrel racing and 4-H, where she developed a love for animals and agriculture despite not growing up on a farm. She credits her involvement in 4-H and community support, including sponsorships from local businesses, for enabling her to compete at such a high level. The experience was emotional and inspiring for Cyr, who values the encouragement from her community and the opportunity to showcase her skills on such a prominent stage.