Pro Rodeo Canada Insider Oct/Nov 2019

Pro Rodeo

CANADA

INSIDER

GREAT RUN, BLONDY! High school senior and barrel racer Justine Elliott of Lacombe, Alta., on her great mare, Blondy, making their winning run of 15.844 sec at the Finning Pro Tour Final, held in Armstrong, B.C. The dashing duo are well-placed to earn Season Leader barrel racing honours and are now poised to take a run at the Canadian title at their second appearance at the Canadian Finals Rodeo.

Photo by JKW Photo/Jeremy Wombold

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Canadian Cowboy Country October/November 2019

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Oh, Canada!

Maple Leaf Circuit Finals

President’s Message

We’re just a few weeks away from the start of the 46th edition of the Canadian Finals Rodeo. Congratulations to all of our athletes for the outstanding effort all year, and best of luck to those who qualified for #CFR46! Congratulations as well to all CFR personnel and our great four-legged athletes who have been selected to work the Finals.

In addition to six evening pro rodeo performances Oct 29–Nov 3, rodeo fans will have a broad range of returning attractions — and several new events — to keep them entertained during CFR week. Among the new events this year are the Ultimate Cowboy Challenge, stock dog competition, bucking horse futurity and breakaway roping competition.

Finning Canada, once again, played an important role in highlighting our larger CPRA rodeos. Eleven events made up the 2019 Tour with the last rodeo, and the Tour Finals, hosted by the Armstrong IPE and Stampede on the Labour Day weekend. Thank you Finning, and ‘Well done’ Finning Pro Tour Finals Champions. Congratulations as well to the overall Tour winners — those who earned the most points over the full season — Caleb Bennett (bareback), Ben Andersen (saddle bronc), Edgar Durazo (bull riding), Haven Meged (tie-down roping), Cody Cassidy (steer wrestling), Clay Ullery (team roping header), Riley Warren (team roping heeler) and Justine Elliott (ladies barrel racing). And a big thank as well to CPRA partner FloRodeo, who live-streamed all Tour rodeos for the second season and will be providing live-stream coverage of both the CFR and Maple Leaf Circuit Finals.

And speaking of the Maple Leaf Circuit Finals, rodeo contestants and fans can look forward to this event set for November 27–30 as part of Canadian Western Agribition in Regina, Sask.

Look for details at rodeocanada.com or follow @ProRodeoCanada on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. See you down the trail.

The city of Regina hosts Canadian Western Agribition from November 25–30.

Renowned as the best beef show on the continent and the largest livestock show in Canada, this premiere agricultural event will include the inaugural Maple Leaf Circuit Finals Rodeo in their 2019 lineup.

Ten top contestants in each of the seven major rodeo events will compete over four nights (Nov 27–30) for more than $100,000 in prize money and a chance to compete at the RAM National Finals in Florida. Every performance from the Brandt Centre of the Maple Leaf Circuit Finals will also be live streamed by Flo Rodeo.

The Maple Leaf Circuit includes all CPRA rodeos that offer less than $7999 in prize money, do not have ‘special entry qualifications’ and that accept permits. In 2019, the Maple Leaf Circuit will only have Canadian residents qualifying for the circuit finals. Money won at the MLC Finals also counts for the 2020 Canadian Standings (but not for the World Standings).

The Champions of each of the 13 rodeo circuits (which range from Turquoise to Badlands to Mexico) will have the opportunity to qualify for the RAM National Circuit Finals, which takes place in Kissimmee, Florida, at the Silver Spurs Arena in Osceola Heritage Park, on April 2–5, 2020.

For more on Agribition, visit agribition.com.

Terry Cooke, President, CPRA

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Pro Rodeo Canada Insider

The Short Round The distinctive CPRA logo was inspired by a photograph of Marty Wood on Harry Vold’s Stoney at the 1961 Ellensburg, Wash., rodeo.

Image courtesy Canadian Professional Rodeo Association.

Marty Wood on Harry Vold’s Stoney at 1961 Ellensburg, Wa., rodeo.

Photo credit Devere Helfrich, 1961, safety film negative. Devere Helfrich Rodeo Photographic Collection, Dickinson Research Center, National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. 81.023.19190.

MARTIN ROY (MARTY) WOOD 1933–2019 Born in Bowness, Alta., Marty Wood earned Canadian Saddle Bronc Riding Championships in 1954–55 and 1963 and was the Calgary Stampede Champion in 1954, ’57, ’61, ’64 and ’65. He topped that by winning three World Saddle Bronc Championships (1958, 1964, 1966).

Wood finished second in the world standings four times: 1957, 1962, 1963 and 1967, and was no lower than fifth in the world standings from 1957–67. He qualified for the National Finals Rodeo 50

15 times, which is tied for fifth most alltime in saddle bronc riding.

He was inducted in the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 1991, the Canadian Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame in 1994, the Ellensburg (Wash.) Rodeo Hall of Fame in 2006, and the Rodeo Hall of Fame of the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, Okla., in 2008.

The distinctive CPRA logo was inspired by a photograph of Marty Wood on Harry Vold’s Stoney at the 1961 Ellensburg, Wash., rodeo. —T.M.

By TERRI MASON, BARB POULSEN

BREAKAWAY ROPING Breakaway Roping is an exciting new event making an appearance on the Canadian rodeo scene. As the event gains in popularity, the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association would like to clarify a few points: While Breakaway Roping is not a CPRA sanctioned event; the CPRA is looking at the possibility of adding it as an optional event in 2020. As such, we need to make sure we have rules sufficient to handle the new event.

Breakaway Roping at the 2019 CFR is not running with the regular evening rodeo performances but instead as an exhibition event during the afternoons of October 31– November 1, with no affiliation to the CPRA championships.

Any rodeos that are holding a breakaway event are doing so separately from their CPRA sanctioning agreement, with Breakaway Roping being run either before or after the CPRA rodeo performance.

Anyone awarded an All Around or High Point title in conjunction with the Breakaway Roping is not considered a CPRA All Around or High Point champion. In the CPRA, a contestant must compete in both a riding and timed event to earn an All Around title, and the High Point Aaward requires competition in two major CPRA events.

Look for more information with respect to Breakaway Roping and the CPRA in the coming months. —B.P.

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GIVING THANKS

Rob MacKenzie and Curtis Anderson entering the Ponoka Stampede infield.

Photo courtesy Curtis Anderson.

“It’s not often we see how it all turns out,” said former paramedic Rob MacKenzie.

MacKenzie wasn’t even the paramedic on duty — he just happened to be in the stands on the fateful day that Curtis Anderson was severely injured in the bull riding at the Ponoka Stampede.

On June 26, 2002, Anderson, then a 27-year-old bull rider with 10 year’s experience, was struck twice in the head by the bull he was on.

The first responder had recently completed advanced training with specialized equipment — which turned out to be exactly what was needed to save Curtis’ life. “I intubated Curtis in the back of the ambulance,” said MacKenzie. He was able to get Curtis breathing again, and the bull rider was then rushed to hospital where he would spend three weeks in a drug-induced coma.

Fast-forward 17 years. MacKenzie had since changed careers from paramedic to Calgary police officer.

When the Ponoka Stampede organizers heard that the lifesaver was going to be attending, they arranged for him and Curtis to be transported into the arena — this time safely seated on a horse-drawn wagon.

In front of the packed grandstand, Curtis was handed a microphone, and on behalf of his family and friends — and himself — he was finally able to thank the man who saved his life.

“Curtis and I have been in contact via texting, but it was the first time I met him in person,” says Anderson. “Curtis is very inspiring, and it meant a lot.” —T.M.

ELIZABETH ANN “LIZ” KESLER 1926–2019

Photo courtesy CPRA

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Born and raised in Texas, Liz was an accomplished rodeo secretary and timer and the widow of Canadian stock contractor Reg Kesler.

Highlights of the many honours she received in her life include the Montana Governor’s Award for preservation of Western Heritage, being inducted (with Reg) into the 2008 Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame, receiving the Tad Lucas Memorial Award at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, being inducted into the Montana Wall & Hall of Fame in Billings, MT and receiving the American Cowboy Culture Award as Pioneer Woman at the Cowboy Symposium held in Lubbock, TX.

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Pro Rodeo Canada Insider

2018 PRCA Steer Wrestling Rookie of the Year Brendan Laye dogging at Armstrong Stampede riding Curtis Cassidy’s Steer Wrestling Horse of the Year, Tyson.

Photo by JKW Photo/Jeremy Wombold.

FINNING PRO TOUR WRAPS UP IN ARMSTRONG

B

RENDAN LAYE KNEW HE WAS RUNNING OUT OF TIME. THE 2018 PRCA STEER WRESTLING ROOKIE OF THE

YEAR RESPONDED TO THE URGENCY OF THE MOMENT WITH A 3.7-SECOND RUN AT THE ARMSTRONG IPE AND STAMPEDE, WHICH HOSTED THE LAST FINNING PRO TOUR RODEO OF THE SEASON AND THE FINNING PRO TOUR FINALS ON SEPTEMBER 1.

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Laye earned the Tour Rodeo steer wrestling win and $3,790 — then followed that up with an even quicker 3.2-second effort to top the field at the Nicola Valley Pro Rodeo in Merritt and add another $1,513.

The $6,300 haul jetted the 2016 CPRA top rookie up almost 10 spots in the Canadian standings, from 16th place to a comfortable spot well inside the top 10, essentially assuring Laye a CFR#46 spot in Red Deer in late October/early November.

“With the position I was in (about $2,000 out of the 12th and final CFR qualifying berth), I knew I had to have a big weekend,” the Consort, Alta., bulldogger acknowledged. “I just wanted to be excited about the things that could go right and not worry about the things that could go wrong.”

For Justine Elliott, a barrel racer from Lacombe, Alta., the fairy tale year continued in B.C. The 17-year-old high school senior and her cow-bred mare, Blondy, are not only headed to their second CFR, but they’re doing so in style. With a Tour Finals win and solid placings at both Armstrong and Merritt Rodeos, Elliott added an overall $6,261 to her bank account, putting her in a

solid position to earn Season Leader barrel racing honours.

“I went into the Finning Pro Tour Finals just trying to have a good run, and let whatever happened, happen,” explained the young horsewoman. “I wasn’t one bit expecting to win it. The field was very tough. I tried to stay off my mare until right before my run, as I was nervous and didn’t want to make her worried. But,” Elliott added, grinning, “Blondy likes the crowd and smoked a run.”

The 2019 Finning Pro Tour Finals Champions are: Clint Laye (bareback), Jake Burwash (saddle bronc), Edgar Durazo (bull riding), Shane Hanchey (tie-down roping), Scott Guenthner and Curtis Cassidy (steer wrestling tie), Dawson and Dillon Graham (team roping) and Justine Elliott (ladies barrel racing). This year’s Finning Pro Tour Final was particularly lucrative, paying double the prize money awarded in 2018. c

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CFR CONTENDERS AS OF SEP 11, 2019 (Including: Medicine Lodge Pro Rodeo) The number in brackets () indicates the number of rodeos competed at during the 2019 season.

SADDLE BRONC

STEER WRESTLING

Rank Name 1 Thurston Zeke (16) 2 Hay Dawson (16) 3 Andersen Ben (33) 4 Watson Jake (18) 5 Wanchuk Kolby (28) 6 Hausauer Dusty (27) 7 Scheer Cort (15) 8 Finlay Jake (16) 9 Ashbacher Kole (39) 10 Burwash Jake (36) 11 Dahm Dawson (29) 12 Hay Logan (37)

Address Earnings Big Valley, AB 55,939.08 Wildwood, AB 31,318.01 Eckville, AB 30,582.10 Hudson’s Hope, BC 29,357.94 Sherwood Park, AB 24,644.81 Dickinson, ND 21,139.77 Elsmere NE 19,586.25 Goondiwindi, QL 17,993.91 Arrowwood, AB 15,253.29 Nanton, AB 14,056.29 Duffield, AB 13,609.88 Wildwood, AB 12,304.84

BAREBACK

Rank Name 1 Guenthner Scott (34) 2 Cassidy Cody (38) 3 Cassidy Curtis (35) 4 Brunner Tanner (12) 5 Thomas Jason (27) 6 Cure Hunter (16) 7 Laye Brendan (32) 8 Delemont Layne (39) 9 Moore Clayton (30) 10 Chambers Bridger (35) 11 Culling Stephen (34) 12 Butterfield Brock (38) 13 Spady Evan (39)

Address Earnings Provost, AB 29,392.78 Donalda, AB 27,020.56 Donalda, AB 24,644.29 Ramona, KS 20,265.34 Benton, AR 20,183.10 Holliday, TX 17,465.56 Consort, AB 17,009.64 Chauvin, AB 16,764.92 Pouce Coupe, BC 16,113.32 Stevensville, MT 15,267.41 Fort St. John, BC 14,739.20 Ponoka, AB 14,325.38 Alliance, AB 14,237.28

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

Tremonton, UT 33,512.22 Dublin, TX 31,965.52 Bowden, AB 29,878.34 Regina, SK 25,541.54 Cadogan, AB 23,146.33 Calgary, AB 21,370.52 Carbon, AB 20,439.25 Inglis, MB 20,233.34 Eastend, SK 16,806.10 Ranchester, WY 14,592.63 Sherwood Park, AB 14,272.39 Calgary, AB 13,124.69 High River, AB 12,139.50 Deloraine, MB 11,005.04

Bennett Caleb (20) Champion Richmond (15) Marshall Ky (34) Taypotat Ty (24) Laye Clint (16) Lacasse Spur (35) Goodine Cole (23) Larsen Orin (15) Bertsch Dantan (27) Hardwick Seth (12) Lamb Kody (22) Hamilton Connor (11) Woods Linden (30) Adams Colin (28)

BULL RIDING

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Moctezuma,Sonora MX 47,916.01 Calgary, AB 44,787.75 Strongcity, OK 31,841.44 Meeting Creek, AB 30,266.68 Maple Creek, SK 27,687.11 Meadow Lake, SK 23,885.73 Cadogan, AB 23,046.01 Didsbury, AB 22,211.63 Sonningdale, SK 20,864.76 Dawson Creek, BC 20,793.16 Major, SK 19,861.96 Ponoka, AB 19,727.49

Durazo Edgar (16) Hansen Jordan (22) Kimzey Sage (15) Green Garrett (18) Parsonage Jared (24) Coverchuk Cody Lee (15) West Lonnie (20) Brown Kyle (40) Ellis Ty (36) Gardner Jacob (32) Chotowetz Todd (31) Lambert Zane (26)

TIE-DOWN ROPING

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Didsbury, AB 22,911.44 Miles City, MT 19,790.21 Scandia, AB 19,617.13 Thorsby, AB 19,190.02 Nanton, AB 18,400.46 Sulphur, LA 16,724.67 Sexsmith, AB 16,025.55 Wimborne, AB 15,230.88 Wimborne, AB 14,453.67 Wood Mountain, SK 14,387.78 Stettler, AB 13,228.99 Stephenville, TX 13,140.20

Grant Morgan (35) Meged Haven (20) Bouchard Alwin (36) Dublanko Erik (41) Bird Logan (40) Hanchey Shane (19) Rombough Lee (40) Smith Blair (37) Smith Shane (39) Popescul Jesse (39) Warren Riley (39) Milligan Tyler (15)

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LADIES BARREL RACING

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Lacombe, AB 38,041.84 Ennis, TX 31,585.55 Bluffton, AB 24,442.68 Edson, AB 23,453.08 Kamloops, BC 23,299.99 Abilene, TX 21,789.41 Hudson Bay, SK 20,410.88 Richards, TX 18,929.91 Millarville, AB 18,882.02 Abilene, TX 18,274.93 Brooks, AB 13,886.34 Dalhart, TX 13,358.72

Elliott Justine (37) Walker Mary (21) Ruzicka Stacey (37) Manning Taylor (36) Wills Brooke (30) Ganter Angela (33) Olafson Bertina (33) Sharp Jennifer (19) O’Reilly Jenna (26) Ganter Jackie (26) Brodoway Lynette (18) Spielman Shelby (31)

TR HEELER

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Wainwright, AB 21,891.81 Stettler, AB 20,441.81 Ponoka, AB 19,653.24 Vernon, TX 19,513.86 Waldeck, SK 16,314.17 Cardston, AB 15,723.75 Mossleigh, AB 15,302.04 Arrowwood, AB 13,491.59 Ellensburg, WA 13,004.86 Camrose, AB 12,585.03 Ponoka, AB 10,889.41 Kamloops, BC 10,657.53

Graham Dillon (39) Warren Riley (40) Bonnett Keely (41) Koch Hunter (23) Mcleod Tyce (39) Wilson Riley (33) Roy Kasper (34) Buhler Jeremy (25) Minor Jacob (15) Mccarroll Brett (31) Whyte Klay (27) Beers Mike (14)

TR HEADER

1 2 3 3 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Wainwright, AB 21,891.82 Two Hills, AB 20,441.76 Ponoka, AB 19,653.23 Pima, AZ 19,401.07 Waldeck, SK 16,314.19 Longview, AB 14,885.08 Barrhead, AB 13,646.66 Baker City, OR 13,004.88 Camrose AB 12,584.99 Ponoka, AB 12,525.45 Ponoka, AB 12,392.93 Bozeman, MT 11,211.93

Graham Dawson (39) Ullery Clay (39) Bonnett Logan (41) Sherwood Matt (17) Mcleod Tuftin (39) Depaoli Steele (36) Schmidt Kolton (30) Rogers Garrett (15) Mccarroll Justin (31) Simpson Levi (32) Buss Brett (29) Fuller Kal (31)

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Pro Rodeo Canada Insider Lane Peterson judging at the 65th Annual Lea Park Rodeo in June 2019.

Photo by Billie Jean Duff.

WHAT DOES IT TAKE? JUDGING PRO RODEO

by TIM ELLIS

I

T’S THE EQUIVALENT OF OFFICIATING SEVEN DIFFERENT SPORTS IN ONE GAME. THAT’S THE TASK

THAT FACES PRO RODEO CANADA OFFICIALS EVERY WEEKEND OF THE SPRING AND SUMMER.

“We don’t get the option of missing an event if it’s a little harder for us,” says Lane Peterson, who began judging rodeos after attending a clinic hosted by the Canadian Cowboys Association nearly 15 years ago.

“It’s important to understand all events and the different rules of each event.”

“Whether you’re flagging or marking scores, you need to learn the subtle nuances of each event, like positioning and figuring out your spread in the riding events. You should know which horses and bulls are more difficult than others. Part of judging is taking the time to learn about each event, not that you have to be an expert in every event, but you do have to understand it.”

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But even if you put in the time and effort to do that, there’s no guarantee it will be enough when you get in the rodeo arena.

“Because rodeo is unscripted, you never know what you might see,” offers Peterson.

“As much as you prepare yourself, and as good as you know the rules, there will still be times you’ll need to make a decision based on your experience and common sense. Repetition is a big key.”

Dale Reid, who’s been a CPRA judge for some 25 years, agrees.

“You never stop seeing new things.” says Reid. “Just when you think you’ve seen it all, there’s something different that comes along.”

“You have to be able to switch your mind up from one event and get over to the next one. And you must make quick decisions.

When you’re first learning, you might hum and haw a little bit, but after awhile, you learn to know what you’re watching.”

Both Reid and Peterson come from rodeo backgrounds, which they agree helps in the job.

“I didn’t decide to be a judge until I broke my arm back in 1990,” reveals Reid, who was a bullrider and had family that participated in the timed event end. “While I was healing up, Terry Cooke (current CPRA president), who was the judging director at the time in the

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Northwest Rodeo Association, asked if I’d be interested.”

“I jumped in blind, started at the amateur level for about four or five years and then the CPRA called to see if I was interested in attending a clinic.”

Peterson’s rodeo involvement came from the stock contracting side in Saskatchewan.

“I’ve been around the sport for over 40 years,” says Peterson. “We supplied horses and bulls to rodeos across North America from the time I was a baby until we sold out in 1997.”

And while having been involved in rodeo is an obvious benefit, both agree it is not a prerequisite for the job.

“You could potentially be good at it if you were willing to become a student of the game,” believes Peterson. “But you need to be committed enough to do that.”

“I would advise anyone wanting to become a judge to really pay attention to other officials,” suggests Reid. “And study

the rule book. I still run through it quickly before a rodeo, just as a refresher.”

Another piece of advice.

“Stick to your call, and don’t be intimidated,” offers Reid. “You try your darndest to make the right call, but if you make a mistake, you need to eat it.

It bothers you when you do make a mistake, but it happens.”

“Everyone has made mistakes,” agrees Peterson. “You hope they don’t happen but there are always tough calls and split-second decisions. Not everyone is always happy.”

Reid and Peterson carry with them a combined 16 years of judging experience at the Canadian Finals Rodeo. Reid’s first call to the CFR came in 1996, while Peterson was selected to work the Finals for the last seven straight years.

“You have to be professional no matter if it’s the CFR or a small rodeo during the summer,” contends Reid. “It’s

just as important at the smaller rodeo because that’s what gets the cowboys to the Finals.”

“If you’re flagging on the final day of the CFR, it’s pressure,” begins Peterson.

“But you need to treat it as if it’s just another run.”

And like all jobs, there are drawbacks and benefits.

“There’s a lot of travel from May to November,” advises Peterson. “Lots of driving all night to get back for work.

But I went to Australia and did some rodeos over there and toured around the U.S. a bit.”

“Once we’re at a rodeo, we don’t have to jump in the truck to get to the next one like the cowboys do,” says Reid. “I wouldn’t be doing it if I wasn’t enjoying it.” c

Dale Reid judging at the 2019 Glencross Invitational Charity Roughstock Event in Red Deer.

Photo by Billie Jean Duff.

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Pro Rodeo Canada Insider ROAD TO THE CFR

JIM BERRY

Jim spurring his last professional saddle bronc ride at the 2018 CFR in Red Deer on Calgary Stampede’s S-65 Shadow Warrior.

Photo by Billie Jean Duff.

HIGH-RIDING CAREER

by TIM ELLIS

J

IM BERRY HAS TRAVELLED THE “ROAD TO THE CFR” FOR MANY YEARS, AND FOR THE MOST PART, EACH JOURNEY

WAS A SUCCESSFUL ONE. BUT THERE WILL BE NO MORE SUCH TRIPS, AT LEAST NOT AS A CONTESTANT.

“Oh yeah, I plan to watch it (Canadian Finals),” assures Berry, despite announcing that his days as a professional saddle bronc rider have come to an end after 14 seasons.

“I rode for the last time at the CFR in Red Deer. It was Calgary Stampede’s Shadow Warrior — they say I missed him out.”

Not the fairy tale ending the 37-yearold perhaps deserved after a career in which he finished no lower than eighth in the Pro Rodeo Canada bronc riding standings in 10 straight seasons, while qualifying for 13 CFR’s including two as a novice competitor.

“I came to the realization I couldn’t compete as good as I wanted to,” suggests the Rocky Mountain House, Alta., cowboy. “It was definitely time to move on.”

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The memories and highlights from his career are plenty.

“I was a strong believer that I should support Canadian rodeos,” offers Berry, who was named winner of the Guy Weadick Award at the Calgary Stampede in 2013. “Year in and year out, I went to just about as many rodeos as there were on the schedule.”

“I had to go to just about everything to try to make it to the Finals. That was my job, and I had to perform to the best of my ability. I believed that helped committees make more money, which helped me put more money in my pocket.”

For those reasons, winning the Duane Daines Series (now known as the Winston Bruce Series) six times was most rewarding for Berry.

“It meant that no one was getting on more horses than me,” says the 2003 Canadian and Calgary Stampede novice bronc riding champion. “The Daines family helped me tremendously in my career.”

The one entry missing from Berry’s impressive resume is a Canadian Saddle

Bronc title. His closest bid for the championship buckle came in 2009, finishing as runner-up to eventual champion, Chet Johnson, by less than $2,400.

“So close, but yet so far,” shrugs Berry, who turned to bronc riding after competing in Wild Horse Racing with his dad and brother. “I knew I was going to do something after that. My uncle (Lane) rode broncs, so when my parents finally let me, that’s what I did.”

“I miss getting on bucking horses more than I thought I was going to.

But I’ve been picking up at a bunch of rodeos, and I’ve watched a few junior rodeos already.”

And he’ll likely be kept busy with the latter, given the interest shown in the sport by his son, Coy (10) and daughter, Quin (7).

“I’m a huge fan of rodeo at all levels,” confirms Berry, who won a Canadian Cowboys Association Saddle Bronc Championship in 2011. “But I do miss the competitiveness of proving I could win every weekend.” c

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2020 Miss Rodeo Canada

CONTENDERS

Each year we see the exciting competition as young women, already rodeo queens, vie for the ultimate crown in rodeo — Miss Rodeo Canada.

Five contestants will be judged in many areas, including horsemanship, public speaking and rodeo knowledge. Miss Rodeo Canada 2020 will make over 400 personal appearances across the country.

Haley Schlenker, Medicine Hat, Alta.

2018 Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede Queen As the fourth generation to be raised on Erwin Schlenker Farms, Haley strongly believes in the importance of agriculture because it truly helps to feed people all around the world and goes hand in hand with the sport of rodeo.

Jessica Craig, Crossfield, Alta.

2018 Hanna Pro Rodeo Queen

2019 Miss Rodeo Canada

Jaden Holle

Standing in the dirt one year ago, I could hardly believe it when they called my name as Miss Rodeo Canada 2019.

Since then, I have ridden dozens of horses, signed hundreds of autographs, travelled thousands of kilometres and had millions of special moments along the way. As a young girl, an empty arena meant I would pretend to be a rodeo queen, loping my horse and waving to all of the invisible fans. Now, to have greeted true fans as the representative for Canadian Professional Rodeo is more than that little girl’s heart can bear.

Although I will never forget those nervous jitters before running into the arena, there is so much more this year has brought. I didn’t foresee how many prairie towns I would discover, that I would wear the crown in five countries, or how it would feel to have a tiny rodeo queen hopeful gaze at me in total admiration. Nor did I foresee all of the support it requires to make this year a success.

Thank you to the Miss Rodeo Canada organization and sponsors for making this experience possible, to the rodeo committees, those that lent me a horse, the fans that made up the special moments, my family that ironed and polished behind the scenes, and the entire community for welcoming me in.

Rodeo is a family. Although I will soon be passing on the crown and will no longer be the “favourite child,” I believe I have found a place in this family. This year has been a blessing.

Thank you.

Jaden Holle, Miss Rodeo Canada 2019

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Jessica grew up on a mixed farm west of Crossfield, Alta. A trained massage therapist, Jessica currently works at Airdrie Physio and Massage and is working towards her dream of being part of the Canadian Pro Rodeo Sports Medicine Team.

Alicia Erickson, Trochu, Alta.

2018 Ponoka Stampede Queen Alicia has earned her Youth Justice Studies Diploma and will continue her education to obtain a bachelor’s degree in Social Work.

Inspiring this pursuit is Erickson’s belief that you should be the person you needed when you were younger.

Alisa Brace, Sundre, Alta.

2017 Miss Rodeo Sundre Alisa is a proud fourth-generation farmer.

She obtained her Animal Health Technology Diploma and graduated with distinction in 2018. Alisa currently works at Moore Equine Veterinary Centre, where she is trained in areas of lameness, equine anesthesia, and ambulatory medicine.

Brittany Doyle, Olds, Alta.

2018 Moose Mountain Pro Rodeo Queen Brittany has spent her life on the back of a horse, riding all over North America competing in everything from breed circuit horse shows to rodeos. She attended Laurentian University and received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree in 2018.

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