Pro Rodeo
CANADA
INSIDER
PHOTO BY MIKE COPEMAN
HOT WINTER RUN Scott Guenthner winning round six of the 2016 Canadian Finals Rodeo in 3.9 seconds. Scott continued his winning ways with an excellent showing at the winter run of southern rodeos, bringing home almost $16,000, including over $11,000 at San Antonio. For the Canadian and World standings at press time, see pages 56 and 58.
RODEOCANADA.COM
CANADIAN COWBOY COUNTRY JUNE/JULY 2017
JAKE VOLD
2016 CFR BAREBACK RIDING CHAMPION
LEAD,
DON’T FOLLOW. ®
C I N C H J E A N S . C O M
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WATER C IN’ ountry HOLE
nightl enterta y inm Wedne ent sd to Satu ay rday
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OUTDO OR SOUND S T AGE 4:00 5:00 p
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Canadian Cowboy Country June/July 2017
C.P.R.A.
2017 Canadian Professional Rodeo Association Schedule JUNE
Hello folks,
PHOTOS COURTESY CPRA
This being my first message as the new CPRA President, I say welcome everyone to the 2017 CPRA rodeo season. With a few single events and rodeos under our belt, I believe we are in good shape if the entries are any indication. I have made contact with several rodeo committees and have paid close attention to concerns and will continue to do so. Without committees there are less rodeos. I want the committees to have the satisfaction knowing that we the board are behind them. With the addition of Randa Nugent as the new Rodeo Administrator, I believe she will be an asset to your organization, as her knowledge of rodeo, rules, and procedures is vast. She communicates well on every level of rodeo, and will welcome your questions and be of great service to all members and committees. Our directorship has one goal: to strive to make the CPRA stronger and that we all are engaged and excited to be a part of the CPRA. There have been some trying times the past few years and I can tell you, as a past board member and now president, there is no quick fix to ongoing issues. Changes are important at every level to be successful. I believe in honesty and transparency. The CPRA is open for business and this is our priority. I have always said that secrets cause rumours and rumours cause trouble. Let’s work together for the association as a whole. Be positive and progress without blinders on. In closing I wish you all a great rodeo season and let’s look forward to a great CFR in November at Northlands Coliseum. — Terry Cooke, President Canadian Professional Rodeo Association Cell: 250-782-3344
Grande Prairie, AB................................ June 1-4 Leduc, AB................................................. June 1-4 Wildwood, AB †..................................... June 2-3 Hand Hills, AB........................................ June 3-4 Brooks, AB.............................................. June 9-10 Lea Park, AB........................................... June 9-11 Rocky Mountain House, AB............. June 9-11 Okotoks, AB ** NEW........................... June 16 Innisfail, AB............................................. June 16-18 Wainwright, AB ProTour................... June 22-25 Sundre, AB.............................................. June 23-25 High River, AB........................................ June 23-25 Ponoka, AB ProTour........................... June 27-July 3 Airdrie, AB............................................... June 28-July 2 Williams Lake, BC ProTour.............. June 29-July 2
JULY Coronation, AB...................................... July 7-8 Benalto, AB............................................. July 7-9 Taber, AB.................................................. July 8-9 Kinsella, AB *.......................................... July 12 Teepee Creek, AB.................................. July 14-16 Oyen, AB *................................................ July 19 Morris, MB ProTour........................... July 20-23 Edmonton, AB........................................ July 21-23 Kennedy, SK........................................... July 22-23 Medicine Hat, AB ProTour............... July 27-29 Bonnyville, AB........................................ July 27-28 Bowden, AB††....................................... July 29 Maple Creek, SK*.................................. July 29 Pollockville, AB * NEW...................... July 29 Bruce, AB................................................. July 30 * denotes bull riding ** denotes team roping † denotes saddle bronc/NSB/BSR †† denotes bareback Dates are subject to change. Please visit rodeocanada.com for up-to-date information, up-to-the-minute rodeo results and draws.
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Pro Rodeo Canada Insider
The Short Round RODEO HALL OF FAME
The board of directors for the Canadian Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame (CPRHF) is proud to announce the following inductees for 2017.
CONTESTANTS
Billy Laye Consort, Alta.
Denny Hay Mayerthorpe, Alta. The three-time Canadian Champion Saddle Bronc Rider (’95, ’96 and ’98) qualified for the Canadian Finals Rodeo (CFR) 15 times, and qualified four times for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR). Hay won the novice title in 1988 and Canadian Rookie of the Year for 1989. In 1998 he won the CFR aggregate and $50,000 at the Calgary Stampede. He also earned an Olympic Gold Medal at the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Glen Keeley Stavely, Alta. The 1989 Canadian Champion Bull Rider, Glen Keeley died in Albuquerque, NM in March 2000 at the Ty Murray Invitational PBR. Keeley qualified for numerous CFR, NFR and Professional Bull Riders (PBR) World Finals and was inside the top five in the PBR’s World Standings when he passed. Since 2004, friends and family have put on the Glen Keeley Memorial PBR in Stavely, Alta., all proceeds to the Glen Keeley Benevolent & Scholarship Fund.
A three-time NFR qualifier, in 1991 Billy Laye won $50,000 at the Calgary Stampede and the Canadian Bareback championship. In 1995, he set the NFR arena record of 90 points on a Butler and Cervi horse called Brown Bomber. Laye can be found at numerous rodeos across the country helping the next generation of bareback riders.
Rayel Little Thorsby, Alta. A four-time Canadian Barrel Racing Champion, Rayel Little (Robinson) also twice qualified for the NFR. For two decades she consistently qualified for the CFR. A horse trainer by trade, Rayel trained five horses that qualified for the CFR in a single year. From 2005 to 2007 she won the Ponoka Stampede. Today, Rayel continues to train barrel horses and spends her winters in Arizona.
BUILDER
Bill Pimm Lethbridge, Alta. At 13, Bill Pimm entered the Sundre Stampede. In 1954 Pimm moved his family north to Grimshaw, Alta., where he helped
bring pro rodeo to the North Peace area. In 1977, Bill took over the role of President of the North Peace Stampede, a position he would hold for 20 years. In 1983 Bill Pimm was honoured as the CPRA Committeeman of the Year.
LIVESTOCK
B6 Little Six Vold Rodeo Voted the 1977 Bull of the Year in Canadian Pro Rodeo, Little Six was small, but he bucked every time. “When they rode him they always won,” said Canadian Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame director Jim Pippolo. “He wasn’t very big, at about 1,400 lbs; he was bucky.” A dark brown and black banana-horned bull, Little Six was also ridden by Joe Dodds to a Calgary Stampede Championship. Since 1981, 195 inductees have been instated into the Canadian Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame (CPRHF), located in the Calnash Ag Events Centre, Ponoka, Alta. The 2017 CPRHF Induction Banquet will be held Sat., Oct. 21 at the Coast Plaza Hotel, Calgary, Alta. For tickets call 403-236-8511.
Montreal’s Expo ’67 hosted a rodeo as part of Canada’s Centennial celebration. Mel Hyland, riding Reg Kesler’s Hard Rock, was just 19 years old. “I was just a follower then,” he says. “I was just happy to be there. I was there because there was bucking horse riding going on.” That year, Hyland won his first Canadian title and qualified for the NFR. He went on to win four Canadian Saddle Bronc and one Canadian Bareback titles and two World Championships. He is inducted in the National, PRCA and Canadian Pro Rodeo Halls of Fame. Hyland is now a multi-award-winning horse trainer and clinician based out of High Prairie, Alta. 54
Canadian Cowboy Country June/July 2017
PHOTO COURTESY MEL HYLAND COLLECTION
RETRO RODEO MOMENT: EXPO ‘67
C.P.R.A.
NEW RODEO ADMINISTRATOR The CPRA announced that Randa Nugent has been named as Rodeo Administrator. A third-generation rodeo competitor, Nugent has been a member of the CPRA since the early nineties. Randa served seven years as Ladies Barrel Racing Director and is a former CPRA Cowgirl of the Year. “I’m passionate about rodeo and the betterment of Pro Rodeo in Canada,” says the Water Valley, Alta., resident.
As the CPRA Rodeo Administrator, Nugent will liaise with committees in the approval process, and work with Central Rodeo Entry System (CRES) setting up entry dates, perf and slack times, and help coordinate the rodeo schedule. She will also help set judges schedules, clinics and interpret and enforce the rules of the association.
PHOTOS COURTESY CPRA; RANDY LEWIS; FLEWELLING FAMILY; RANCHMAN’S FAMILY
EMPTY SADDLES
BARRY BOGHEAN
BRUCE GRAHAM FLEWELLING
HARRIS DVORKIN
June 16, 1958 – February 21, 2017
September 11, 1938 – April 10, 2017
April 10, 1941 – April 14, 2017
Long-time rodeo announcer Barry Boghean lost his battle with pancreatic cancer. His rodeo announcing career included specialized events, amateur and the professional ranks, including some of the oldest rodeos in Canada. He was a long-time employee at Red Coat Feeders and a strong community supporter. Barry will long be remembered for his kindness, sense of humour, impeccable timing, encouraging nature, professionalism and sheer love of rodeo. Hundreds of tributes flowed in from rodeo committees, friends and fans upon hearing the news of his passing. Barry was buried at Flintock, Sask.
Canadian Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame inductee, Bruce Flewelling died April 10, 2017. His rodeo career spanned five decades, including competitor, stock contractor and pick up man. Bruce, along with his wife, Iloe, partnered with some top hands in the multi-awardwinning rodeo stock corporation, Outlaw Buckers. A pick up man at the Calgary Stampede for 15 years, he was voted in by his peers to pick up at the CFR four times. He won the Canadian cow milking championship and the Alberta Circuit cow milking championship seven times each, and was a two-time Calgary Stampede cow milking champion.
Harris Dvorkin, perhaps best known as the co-owner of Ranchman’s Cookhouse and Dancehall, died Good Friday after a long illness. Inducted into the Canadian Professional Rodeo Hall of Fame in 2015 in the builder category, he was among the founders of the CPRA’s Cowboy Benefit Fund, and promoted youth and ladies’ professional rodeo events. Eighteen years ago he started The Ranchman’s Renegades Annual Invitational PBR Bullbustin’ held in the Ranchman’s parking lot as a fundraiser for local charities. A life member of the Calgary Stampede, Dvorkin served on the rodeo committee for over two decades.
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Pro Rodeo Canada Insider RODEO RESULTS
CPRA STANDINGS TOP TEN AS OF APRIL 26 BAREBACK Rank Name 1 Ky Marshall (2) 2 Dantan Bertsch (2) 3 Cole Goodine (1) 4 Isabelle Pascal (2) 5 Linden Woods (2) 6 Seth Hardwick (1) 7 Orin Larsen (1) 8 Logan Hodson (2) 9 Tyler Scales (1) 10 Michael Solberg (1)
SADDLE BRONC City Bowden Eastend Carbon Okotoks Swift Current Ranchester Inglis Telkwa Severance Sunnynook
Province Earnings AB $5,002.44 SK $3,837.18 AB $3,510.49 AB $2,259.88 SK $1,513.90 WY $1,226.70 MB $1,015.20 BC $803.70 CO $504.63 AB $378.48
Rank Name 1 Lane Cust (1) 2 Jake Watson (2) 3 Luke Butterfield (2) 4 Layton Green (2) 5 Dustin Flundra (2) 6 Jim Berry (2) 7 Sam Kelts (2) 8 Zeke Thurston (1) 9 Lane Watt (2) 10 Call Marr (2)
City Donalda COCHRANE, AB Didsbury Mayerthorpe Ponoka Provost Fort St. John Rocky Mtn House Donalda Marwayne
Province Earnings AB $5,649.55 AB $4,471.08 AB $2,018.53 AB $2,007.57 AB $1,996.59 AB $1,697.64 BC $1,697.64 AB $1,513.90 AB $1,261.59 AB $750.12
Rank Name 1 Riley Warren (2) 2 Logan Bird (2) 3 Jesse Popescul (2) 4 Erik Dublanko (2) 5 Morgan Grant (2) 6 Clayton Smith (1) 7 Dean Edge (2) 8 Tyler Johnson (1) 9 Josh Eirikson (1) 10 Ky Marshall (1)
STEER WRESTLING Rank Name 1 Cody Cassidy (2) 2 Tanner Milan (2) 3 Morgan Grant (2) 4 Travis Reay (2) 5 Chance Butterfield (2) 6 Scott Guenthner (2) 7 Stephen Culling (2) 8 Rowdy Hays (1) 9 Curtis Cassidy (2) 10 Lucas Parker (1)
City Sylvan Lake Hudson’s Hope Ponoka Meeting Creek Pincher Creek Rocky Mtn House Stavely Big Valley Okotoks Twin Butte
Province Earnings AB $4,497.81 BC $3,161.92 AB $3,005.86 AB $2,805.96 AB $2,018.53 AB $1,513.90 AB $1,513.90 AB $1,078.37 AB $756.95 AB $419.37
City Stettler Nanton Glentworth Thorsby Didsbury Eckville Rimbey Didsbury Bandera Bowden
Province Earnings AB $5,002.44 AB $3,675.75 SK $3,223.38 AB $2,994.88 AB $2,666.49 AB $1,744.27 AB $1,513.90 AB $1,310.36 TX $1,009.27 AB $963.50
City Meeting Creek Strathmore Dewinton Ponoka Maple Creek Kindersley Calgary Ponoka Ponoka Cereal
Province Earnings AB $8,737.45 AB $8,693.42 AB $6,302.20 AB $6,290.28 SK $6,182.40 SK $6,011.71 AB $5,591.99 AB $4,660.92 AB $3,384.15 AB $3,113.84
Hometown Pouce Coupe Savona Merritt Hereford Big Valley Wood Mountain Taber Innisfail Longview Pincher Creek
Province BC BC BC TX AB SK AB AB AB AB
TIE DOWN ROPING
TEAM ROPING (HEADERS)
BULL RIDING
Rank Name City Province Earnings 1 Justin McCarroll (2) Camrose AB 2,731.31 2 Braidy Davies (2) Medicine Hat AB 2,437.94 3 Roland McFadden (2) Vulcan AB 2,135.24 4 Brett Buss (2) Ponoka AB 1,809.88 5 Clint Buhler (2) Okotoks AB 1,232.37 6 Cole Bevans (1) Magrath AB 1,221.53 7 Jesse Popescul (2) Glentworth SK 924.27 8 Dawson Graham (2) Wainwright AB 910.88 9 Kyle Chappel (1) Gravelbourg SK 770.23 10 Travis Gallais (1) Ponoka AB 424.88
Rank Name 1 Garrett Green (5) 2 Scott Schiffner (5) 3 Brock Radford (5) 4 Wacey Finkbeiner (4) 5 Jared Parsonage (4) 6 Dakota Buttar (1) 7 Jordan Hansen (4) 8 Tyler Pankewitz (4) 9 Zane Lambert (4) 10 Tanner Girletz (3)
Rank Name 1 Brett McCarroll (2) 2 Chase Simpson (2) 3 Kay Whyte (2) 4 Ricky Dallyn (2) 5 Tyrel Flewelling (1) 6 Ty Cahoon (1) 7 Kevin Schreiner (2) 8 Dillon Graham (2) 9 Devin Wigemyr (2) 10 Brady Chappel (2)
Place Name 1 Chelsea Moore (2) 2 Sarah Gerard (2) 3 Katie Garthwaite (1) 4 Kellie Collier (1) 5 Kirsty White (2) 6 Nicole Pana (2) 7 Nancy Csabay (1) 8 Sydney Daines (2) 9 Kendra Edey (2) 10 Nina Smith (1)
TEAM ROPING (HEELERS)
City Camrose Claresholm Airdrie Nanton Lacombe Cardston Medicine Hat Wainwright Brooks Moose Jaw
Province Earnings AB $2,731.33 AB $2,437.93 AB $1,809.88 AB $1,232.36 AB $1,232.36 AB $1,221.53 AB $924.28 AB $910.88 AB $902.87 SK $770.23
BARREL RACING Earnings $6,766.61 $5,265.73 $4,015.13 $1,751.93 $1,251.38 $1,250.61 $1,084.53 $834.25 $504.63 $500.55
Canadian Cowboy Country makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information it publishes, but cannot be held responsible for any consequences arising from errors or omissions.
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Canadian Cowboy Country June/July 2017
C.P.R.A.
Jake Vold marking 89 points and winning Round 2 on C5 Rodeo’s Virgil at 2016 CFR Zeke Thurston rode Calgary Stampede’s Tiger Warrior for 87.5 pts and the win in the semi-final round in the 2016 Ponoka Stampede Finals
Clay Elliott scoring 86.75 and winning Round 3 of 2016 CFR on Calgary Stampede’s Stampede Warrior
CHAMPS THRIVE By DIANNE FINSTAD
PHOTOS BY MIKE COPEMAN
R
ODEO COMPETITORS ALWAYS HAVE A CHAMPIONSHIP GOAL. BUT ONCE ACHIEVED, THERE CAN BE A ‘WHAT’S NEXT?’ MOMENT, OR ADDED PRESSURE FROM BEING A CHAMP.
But three Canadians with new gold buckles have been using them to fuel the fire for more success. Canada’s saddle bronc titlist Clay Elliott parlayed his victory into a profitable U.S. winter run. The Nanton cowboy placed at Fort Worth, San Antonio, Arcadia (FL), and Montgomery (AL). He came close to defending his 2016 RodeoHouston title, collecting $26,375 as runner-up winner. While the cash doesn’t count for the world race, it’s still a big boost in the bank and confidence accounts. Elliott is one of those cowboys who doesn’t spend too long looking back at his accomplishments. “Short-term memory is what it’s about,” he says. “You have to remember the highlights and the lowlights too, but you can’t take
cowboycountrymagazine.com
one horse to the next. You can’t be on the high for too long, you can’t be on a low for too long.” Already comfortably inside the world’s top 10 rankings, Elliott will not be neglecting his ‘home’ work. “I’m going to spend a little bit more time in Canada earlier on in the season. Last year I was tight on getting my rodeo count in, so I’m going to try and avoid that issue.” Big Valley’s Zeke Thurston achieved his dream of becoming a World Saddle Bronc Champion at just 22 years old. He, too, has had no trouble renewing his drive, and rose to third in the world after a wealthy winter, including big payouts from Denver, Rapid City, Fort Worth, San Angelo, San Antonio, Montgomery, plus a big win at Austin. The Canadian Champion who really proves winning is not getting old is Jake Vold. The Ponoka-raised talent notched his third straight Canadian bareback buckle in November, which put him in some elite company in the record books. Then he came in second for the world in Las Vegas. After some time off, including a tropical honeymoon, Vold continued his strategy of riding at a select few rodeos, making every one count. “I enter the big ones and get on the good ones. That’s kind of my theory about it. And it works for me.” He split first at Jackson (MS), added cash from San Antonio, and a win at Montgomery to get him near the world’s top 15 in short order. But there was also a reserve championship at RFDTV’s The American ($25,000) and a career highlight, winning the RodeoHouston championship ($56,000) to add to the income. “I go when I really want to go and then I’ve got that good, positive attitude about everything, and that’s when things work. When you’re excited to be somewhere, that’s when you win.” While Vold has achieved plenty on his rodeo bucket list, he’s not done yet. “To win some of the biggest rodeos in the world is what everybody wants, and a World title and the Calgary Stampede have always been in my sights too. One year might be my year for them.” c
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Pro Rodeo Canada Insider RODEO RESULTS
WORLD RODEO STANDINGS AS OF APRIL 24 PRCA 2017 WORLD STANDINGS
SADDLE BRONC
BAREBACK Rank Name City State 1 Tanner Aus Granite Falls MN 2 Tim O’Connell Zwingle IA 3 R.C. Landingham Hat Creek CA 4 Bill Tutor Huntsville TX 5 Jake Brown Cleveland TX 16 Orin Larsen Inglis MB 19 Luke Creasy Lovington NM 20 Jake Vold Ponoka AB 27 Clint Laye Pocatello ID 29 Wyatt Maines Maple Creek SK 39 Pascal Isabelle Okotoks AB 44 Mike Solberg Sunnynook AB
Earnings $61,071.43 $58,646.35 $57,161.82 $47,992.56 $45,551.13 $20,982.20 $17,841.71 $16,748.25 $13,111.34 $10,867.65 $8,001.49 $6,887.29
Rank Name City State 1 Ty Erickson Helena MT 2 Tyler Waguespack Gonzales LA 3 Olin Hannum Malad ID 4 Nick Guy Sparta WI 5 Baylor Roche Tremonton UT 21 Scott Guenthner Provost AB 33 Tanner Milan Cochrane AB
Earnings $94,034.84 $57,519.92 $41,059.55 $38,425.75 $36,514.44 $18,524.32 $12,021.90
Rank Name City State 1 Erich Rogers Round Rock AZ 2 Luke Brown Stephenville TX 3 Dustin Egusquiza Mariana FL 4 Coleman Proctor Pryor OK 5 Kaleb Driggers Albany GA 17 Levi Simpson Ponoka AB
Earnings $55,672.49 $50,261.66 $46,367.15 $43,303.54 $36,377.77 $16,062.41
Rank Name City State 1 Cory Petska Marana AZ 2 Billie Jack Saebens Nowata OK 3 Kory Koontz Stephenville TX 4 Jake Long Coffeyville KS 5 Wesley Thorp Throckmorton TX 17 Jeremy Buhler Arrowwood AB
Earnings $55,672.49 $43,303.54 $42,541.28 $41,732.87 $39,502.00 $16,062.41
STEER WRESTLING
TEAM ROPING (HEADERS)
Rank Name City State 1 Jacobs Crawley Boerne TX 2 CoBurn Bradshaw Beaver UT 3 Zeke Thurston Big Valley AB 4 Hardy Braden Welch OK 5 Audy Reed Spearman TX 9 Clay Elliott Nanton AB 21 Jake Watson Hudson’s Hope BC 30 Luke Butterfield Ponoka AB 38 Layton Green Meeting Creek AB
Earnings $84,094.25 $55,939.75 $49,880.53 $43,781.66 $40,540.93 $27,264.88 $15,568.69 $11,071.40 $9,695.47
Rank Name City State 1 Marty Yates Stephenville TX 2 J.C. Malone Plain City UT 3 Caleb Smidt Bellville TX 4 Marcos Costa Childress TX 5 Bryson Sechrist Apache OK 32 Ben Robinson Red Deer County AB 45 Kyle Lucas Carstairs AB
Earnings $54,985.75 $49,898.07 $45,121.30 $39,611.17 $39,526.18 $14,143.30 $10,839.43
Rank Name City State 1 Garrett Smith Rexburg ID 2 Ty Wallace Collbran CO 3 Roscoe Jarboe New Plymouth ID 4 Sage Kimzey Strong City OK 5 Cole Melancon Liberty TX 21 Jordan Hansen Okotoks AB
Earnings $67,797.20 $55,417.81 $55,184.55 $48,553.80 $40,622.32 $23,277.92
TIE DOWN ROPING
BULL RIDING
2017 WPRA WORLD – PRO RODEO STANDINGS BARREL RACING
TEAM ROPING (HEELERS)
Place Name 1 Tiany Schuster 2 Kathy Grimes 3 Kassie Mowry 4 Amberleigh Moore 5 Stevi Hillman
Hometown Krum Medical Lake Dublin Salem Weatherford
State TX WA TX OR TX
Earnings $121,303.28 $80,796.80 $76,501.44 $66,725.09 $49,308.71
Canadian Cowboy Country makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information it publishes, but cannot be held responsible for any consequences arising from errors or omissions.
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Canadian Cowboy Country June/July 2017
Ranchman’s renegades pbr bullbustin’ sheldon kennedy pbr bullbustin’ and sneak a peek ladies night Let’s get ducked and jam cowboy church and dan davidson presented by country 105 fm ranchman’s 35th annual cowboy vs. firefighter pole climb stampede wrap up party.
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Pro Rodeo Canada Insider ROAD TO THE CFR
“That would be really exciting for me,” says Robinson, who is entering his fourth season on the Pro Rodeo Canada trail. “It would probably be all I would think about.” “We’ve had a bunch of great ropers come through here over the years. Tuf Cooper, Shane Hanchey, Clif Cooper, Jake Hannum, Cory Solomon, Cimarron Boardman, Cody Ohl came up one year. They all help us out practising. You can learn a lot from each of them and that can definitely give you the drive to do well, to be as successful as them. They’ll teach you how to win.” But, perhaps the key piece of any such formula is right in Robinson’s backyard. His dad, Larry, is a sixtime Canadian champion roper and has plaques in both the Canadian Pro Rodeo and Alberta Sports Halls of Fame. “He’s a great teacher,” offers the 2016 Canadian Intercollegiate tiedown roping champion. “He helps us practise every night and he’s helped me with entering rodeos. He’ll give you what you need to know.” Ben Robinson competing on Caesar at the 2016 Robinson was born two months Dawson Creek Stampede. “He’s my ‘new’ horse; after his father won his sixth and he’s sure working good,” says Robinson. If Robinson makes it to the Canadian Finals Rodeo final Canadian championship at this fall, he would be the first ever third-generation Northlands Coliseum in Edmonton. competitor in any of the major events at the CFR. That title back in 1994 came nineteen years after Larry Robinson first qualified for the Canadian Finals Rodeo at the tender age of 17 alongside his dad, Edgar, and solidified a pro rodeo resume that also included 19 CFR qualifications and seven trips to the National Finals Rodeo. “Each year it gets a little better,” suggests the younger Robinson, who has begun filling in an impressive resume himself which includes, not only the college title, but also the 2013 Canadian High School tie-down roping championship and seven semi-pro association finals qualifications, including four in one season, his last By TIM ELLIS before buying his pro card. “We probably had a rope in our hand at two or three years-old,” EN ROBINSON HAS WATCHED CANADIAN reveals Robinson, who has joined older brother, Kirk on the pro CHAMPIONS, WORLD CHAMPIONS AND HALL rodeo circuit. “We were maybe 12 or 13, or maybe even younger, OF FAME TIE-DOWN ROPERS SPEND TIME AT when we started entering junior rodeos in central Alberta, then we THE FAMILY RANCH NEAR INNISFAIL, ALTA., started going to junior high rodeos and CARA rodeos and then on SINCE HE WAS A YOUNG KID TRYING TO LEARN THE CRAFT. to the FCA and those.” In the end, his goal of competing at the CFR in November may NOW THE 22-YEAR-OLD IS ATTEMPTING TO COMBINE WHAT depend on his ability to take his own advice. HE GLEANED FROM THE MANY PRACTICE SESSIONS WITH “I need to work on not breaking the barrier so much,” contends THOSE CHAMPIONS WITH HIS OWN ABILITY INTO A WINNING Robinson, who has finished 23rd and 18th in the Canadian Pro FORMULA THAT ADDS UP TO HIS FIRST CANADIAN FINALS Rodeo Association standings in the last two years while earning over $21,000. “I need to stay off the line more.” c RODEO APPEARANCE.
BEN ROBINSON
HEADING FOR A RECORD?
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Canadian Cowboy Country June/July 2017
PHOTO BY MIKE COPEMAN
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Duane Daines 2017 Saddle Bronc Series Thank you to our sponsors!
$1000 Innisfail Pro Rodeo $1000 Wainwright Stampede $1000 C5 Rodeo $1000 RAM Rodeo $1000 Wrangler Jeans $750 Teepee Creek Stampede $500 Dawson Creek Stampede $500 Grande Prairie Stompede $500 Field of Dreams Stampede $500 Strathmore Heritage Rodeo $500 Sundre Pro Rodeo $500 Ponoka Stampede $400 Jasper Heritage Rodeo $300 – 20 other Canadian Pro Rodeos • Ross Contway Bronze for the Champion Bronc Rider donated by Pidherneys of Rocky Mountain House • Champion Olson Buckle donated by the Daines Ranch Rodeo
All the money goes to the Cowboys! Anyone wishing to donate please make your cheque out to Duane Daines Saddle Bronc Series c/o CPRA 272245 R.R. 2, Airdrie, AB T4A 2L5
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25th Annual
Bowden Daze Rodeo July 28, 29, & 30, 2017
FRI, JULY 28: JUNIOR RODEO, TEAM ROPING JACKPOT AND FRIDAY NIGHT JAM IN THE BEER GARDENS SAT, JULY 29: CARA RODEO, $10,000 CPRA BAREBACK CHALLENGE & YOU CAN KICK UP YOUR HEELS AT THE DANCE FEATURING ROOSTER IN A HENHOUSE! SUN, JULY 30: SLACK, MUTTON BUSTIN’ & CARA RODEO KENTON RANDLE BAREBACK SERIES CPRA APPROVED
• FREE CAMPING ALL WEEKEND • FREE-STYLE MOTOCROSS • BEER GARDENS & CONCESSION OPEN ALL WEEKEND! FEATURING ROOSTER IN A HENHOUSE
nnual World Fam A t ou s s 91 THURSDAY JUNE 29 TO SUNDAY JULY 2, 2017 THE BEST RODEO ACTION YOU’LL EVER SEE!
C.P.R.A. Professional Rodeo • Mountain Horse Race • Ranch Challenge • Wild Cowgirls Race • Bronc Buster Trade Show • Parade
Franklin Rodeo Stock, and Calgary Stampede stock
Entertainment All Weekend Long in the
Let R Buck Saloon
ory Garrett Greg
MUTTON BUSTING
Karen Lee Ba tten
Rodeo Clown DENNIS HALSTEAD
Full Service Campground on Stampede Grounds
Celebrating Canada’s 150th Western Style!
• Nine 50 Amp Pull-Through Sites • Open April to October • Handicapped Shower Facilities • Full Hookups • Laundry Facilities • Four Blocks to Downtown • Close to Hiking, Nature Park and Beach For ticket sales and information Year Round call 250-398-8388 or Toll Free 1-800-71-RODEO (1-800-717-6336) williamslakestampede.com info@williamslakestampede.com
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• Warm Up BBQ • BS Bingo • Fireworks Display • Pancake Breakfast • Parade • Beer Gardens • Free RV Camping
Voted by
PEOPLES CHOICE AWARDS
Mountain View County Areas Best Fair and Rodeo in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014 and 2015
Show Office: 403-638-3055 email: info@sundrerodeo.com www.sundrerodeo.com Canadian Cowboy Country June/July 2017