Latest news with #JoelHarris
CTV News
08-07-2025
- Sport
- CTV News
Texans at Calgary Stampede rodeo have more than just competing on their minds
More than 60 athletes competing in the Calgary Stampede rodeo are from Texas, and they are keeping a close eye on what is going on back home. More than 60 athletes competing in the Calgary Stampede rodeo are from Texas, and they are keeping a close eye on what is going on back home. Ty Harris got off to a great start in tie-down roping. He had the top time of the day. But as nice as the win was, Harris couldn't help himself. He's from San Angelo, which wasn't the hardest hit but has had some flooding. 'I'm obviously really thankful that my family is safe from everything, but that hits home—there's rodeo families that have been affected by it and different people in Texas that have been affected by it,' he said. Harris earned $7,000 for his work Monday and would like to do something to help the victims. 'I don't know if there's going to be a foundation or a GoFundMe … I really don't know what's going on yet, but it was on my mind coming up here,' he said. Ty's brother, Joel Harris, is also competing in tie-down roping. He says there has been some damage in San Angelo, but it's not nearly as badly hit as other areas. He says it's been tough watching what's going on back home. 'It just affects you emotionally, and you realize … this isn't the most important thing, coming out here and competing as we do,' he said. 'It really puts into perspective that people are going through a really hard time, and we have friends that have had flooding in their house. … I know that a lot of lives have been lost.' Sixty-three athletes from Texas are competing in this year's Stampede rodeo. It's a close-knit community. Breakaway roper Jordan Jo Hollabaugh lives in Fort Worth. 'Rodeo is one of the few sports that it doesn't matter if you're blood or not; when something goes on in the rodeo family, we're all hands on deck trying to help and be supportive where we can,' Hollabaugh said.
Calgary Herald
08-07-2025
- Climate
- Calgary Herald
Texans compete with heavy hearts at Calgary Stampede after devastating flood back home
Article content A serious flood over the Fourth of July weekend in Texas is weighing heavily on the hearts of rodeo competitors from the Lone Star State. Article content Especially those currently participating at the Calgary Stampede. Article content The flooding has been especially tough for the Harris brothers, Ty and Joel, who hail from San Angelo and are competing in the tie-down roping event at this year's 'Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth'. Article content Article content San Angelo is one of several areas in Central Texas that have been severely impacted by the floods. Article content Article content 'It's very, very difficult. My wife and I were watching the flooding all day yesterday, and it just affects you emotionally,' Joel Harris said on Monday. Article content 'You realize that rodeo isn't the most important thing. Coming out here and competing really puts things into perspective — people in Texas are going through a really hard time. Article content 'We have friends whose homes have flooded, and I know that many lives have been lost. I'm thankful my family has been safe through it all, and we are praying for those truly affected by the flood.' Article content The top four spots in the tie-down roping event on Monday were all claimed by Texans: Ty Harris took top honours, followed by Cash Hooper in second, Riley Webb in third, and Joel Harris rounding out the top four. Article content Ty Harris was able to briefly put the flooding out of his mind as he raced to 6.7-second clocking, earning $7,000 on the first afternoon of Pool B competition. Article content Article content 'I think about my roping three, four, maybe five minutes before I rope — then I rope, and it's off my mind,' said the 27-year-old cowboy. Article content 'I was thinking about the flooding as I was coming up here today, but I think we're pretty used to having to block things out. It's always something — not always as catastrophic as this, not people losing their lives — but always something we deal with mentally.' Article content The severe flooding in Texas has tragically left more than 100 people dead. Article content Article content Ty plans to donate 10 per cent of his winnings to families affected by the disaster. Article content 'You feel helpless being here while everyone's back there. You're just calling family, grateful to hear they're safe,' he added. Article content According to police in San Angelo, more than 12,000 houses, barns, and other structures have been affected in the city of approximately 100,000 people.
