Pro Rodeo Canada Insider Apr/May 2020

Pro Rodeo

CANADA

INSIDER

PHOTO BY COVY MOORE

PARSONAGE CBI CHAMPION Jared Parsonage celebrating his win with the unique championship guitar presented to him at the 7th Annual Chad Besplug Invitational Bull Riding in Claresholm, Alta., after riding Outlaw Buckers’ A32 OLS Tubs Anika’s Pet to 85.5 points for the long-go win. Parsonage, of Maple Creek, Sask., who so far has qualified for the CFR five times, is also the CPRA’s Bull Riding Director.

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Canadian Cowboy Country April/May 2020

C.P.R.A.

Rodeo Season With the start of April comes a busier CPRA schedule. Over 50 established rodeos and events are planned for the 2020 season.

At our CPRA Annual General Meeting and Special Meeting in Airdrie on February 29, we welcomed new board members Shane Crouch (from Sundre Pro Rodeo) as a committee director, as well as Michael Solberg (riding event director and bareback rep) and Braidy Howes (existing ladies barrel racing rep and now timed event director as well). Congratulations as well to new team roping rep, Brett Buss, and Craig Weisgerber, steer wrestling event rep. Thank you to Denny Phipps, Roland McFadden and Renne Reidy for their contributions to the CPRA Board in recent years. Your efforts and time were much appreciated.

Look for details and updates for CFR ’47 in the next weeks and months.

And we’re moving into year two of the Maple Leaf Circuit — with the Finals slated, once again, for late fall at Canadian Western Agribition. We’re excited that the inaugural Breakaway Roping Finals will be held in Regina as part of this event.

Congratulations to all of the winners of 2020 RFD-TV’s The American Rodeo. Special congratulations to Canadian stock contractors C5 Rodeo, as Kaycee Feild won the Bareback riding with 93 pts on two-time World BB Horse of the Year, F13 Virgil. Congratulations as well to Northcott-Macza Rodeo as Wyatt Casper topped reigning Canadian and World Champion SB Horse of the Year 242 Get Smart for 91.25 pts and the Saddle Bronc win.

On a sad note, we were sorry to lose Judy Kesler in early March. A longstanding rodeo timer and secretary, Judy was an integral part of the Kesler Rodeo family, often working alongside her late husband and stock contractor, Greg. Judy had a very positive impact on our sport; she was twice honoured with the Janet Vold Memorial Award and served as CFR secretary for many years. Condolences to Judy’s family and many friends.

With the challenging economic times all of us are facing, particularly in Western Canada, we want to salute all of our rodeo committees and their dedicated volunteers for working so hard to maintain a solid roster of events for the 2020 season.

See you at a rodeo soon!

2020 Canadian Professional Rodeo Association Schedule APRIL Picture Butte, AB * (BR)........................... Apr 10 Tofield, AB * (BR) postponed................. Apr 11 Medicine Hat, AB....................................... Apr 17–19 Camrose, AB * (RS) postponed............. Apr 24–26 Postponed Crowsnest Pass (Coleman), AB........... Apr 24–26

MAY Drayton Valley, AB.................................... May 1–3 Stavely, AB................................................... May 7–9 Innisfail, AB * (SB)...................................... May 9 Falkland, BC................................................. May 16–18 Grande Prairie, AB FINNING.................. May 28–31 Leduc, AB...................................................... May 28–31 Hand Hills, AB............................................. May 30–31

JUNE Brooks, AB................................................... Jun 5–6 Lea Park/Marwayne, AB........................ Jun 5–7 Rocky Mountain House, AB.................. Jun 5–7 Innisfail, AB.................................................. Jun 12–14 Wildwood, AB * (SB) date change....... Jun 13 Wainwright, AB FINNING....................... Jun 18–21 Sundre, AB................................................... Jun 19–21 High River, AB............................................. Jun 20–21 Williams Lake, BC FINNING................... Jun 25–28 Ponoka, AB FINNING................................ Jun 25–Jul 1 Airdrie, AB.................................................... Jun 26–28 Calgary, AB * (BR)...................................... Jun 30

*Indicates Special Event Finning Canada is the Title sponsor of the Pro Tour All dates are subject to change. Please visit RodeoCanada.com for up-to-date information

Terry Cooke, President, CPRA

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Pro Rodeo Canada Insider

The Short Round

By TERRI MASON, ALICIA ERICKSON

WHAT’S IN A NAME? PLENTY!

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hip number, which is why the stallion Special Delivery carries the hip brand of S-83.

“S” means born in 2006 and 83 shows a direct relationship (in this case, the son) of Zippy Delivery.

In many circles in the horse world, the emphasis is on the stallion, but on the Stampede Ranch, the outfit honours their great mares.

“There is a method to the hip numbers,” confirmed Calgary Stampede Ranch manager, Tyler Kraft. “Each number corresponds back to the mare; they’re not simply numbers pulled out of a hat. And we know who the stud is because of our careful record-keeping.”

Nowadays, one of the daughters of Special Delivery — U-83 Untimely Delivery, is in the broodmare field, and her babies have inherited the “83.” Two of her babies on the

rodeo trail making names for themselves includes A-83 Ancient Delivery and B-83 Borderline Untimely.

Just for fun, here are a few of their famous horses:

Year Foaled

Hip Brand and Name

1997 “G”

G-65 Grated Coconut

2006 “S”

S-83 Special Delivery

2010 “X”

X-55 Xena Warrior

2013 “A”

A-91 Agent Lynx

From now on, I guarantee you will look at the hip brand and the name of Calgary Stampede horses with more interest. —T.M.

Orin Larsen of Inglis, Man., winning Round 5 of 2019 CFR with 90 points on Calgary Stampede’s stallion, S-83 Special Delivery

Canadian Cowboy Country April/May 2020

PHOTOS BY BILLIE-JEAN DUFF

For years, naming the Calgary Stampede horses has been made a little easier, or a little tougher, by the system the famous rodeo ranch incorporates to keep track of their rough stock.

With around 700 head ranging from foals to retirees roaming the 22,000acre ranch near Hanna, Alta., the outfit developed a solid strategy for at-a-glance bookkeeping.

Each year is assigned a corresponding letter for a hip (freeze) brand. For instance, the year 2020 is “H” — so the hip brand will be an “H” and the names of all of the foals born this year will begin with “H”. However, there is a twist — the Stampede does not use the letter I, O, Q or V in their system.

The hip numbers tell an equally fascinating story.

Long-time fans will have noticed that often, the same hip number pops up generation after generation and now, thanks to the introduction of embryo transplants (an egg from a superstar mare is fertilised by a superstar stallion; the embryo is “flushed” and implanted in a carrier mare to carry the foal to term), there might be as many as four full siblings born in one year.

A prime example was the famous Calgary Stampede mare, Z-38 Zippy Delivery. Two of Zippy’s babies or “flush mates” was the gelding S-38 Spring Delivery (he inherited his mother’s hip number) and for his brother, the ranch team transposed the

C.P.R.A.

JUDITH RETA KESLER DECEMBER 7, 1945 – MARCH 5, 2020

BECOME PART OF THE LEGACY AT THE 2020 CALGARY STAMPEDE The Calgary Stampede is accepting entries for Novice Events on May 27 - 28, 2020 Novice Saddle Bronc - Novice Bareback Riding Junior Steer Riding For full details: CalgaryStampede.com/noviceentries nphipps@calgarystampede.com

The CPRA extends heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of long-time rodeo secretary and timer, Judy Kesler.

Judy was an integral part of one of rodeo’s most dedicated and successful families, often working alongside her late husband and stock contractor, Greg.

Judy served as CFR secretary for many years and mentored countless rodeo personnel over the years. She was twice honoured with the Janet Vold Memorial Award, presented to an outstanding woman of professional rodeo. —T.M.

FORT WORTH & THE CANADIANS Congratulations to the Calgary Stampede rodeo stock on their eye-catching first appearance at Fort Worth.

Dawson Hay, the second-generation saddle bronc rider from Wildwood, Alta., drew into the final and turned in a record-tying 91-point ride on Calgary Stampede’s X-55 Xena Warrior to claim the $20,000 first-place cheque and a total of $23,080 overall.

In the Bareback Riding, the event was won on a Calgary Stampede horse with Tilden Hooper setting an arena record of 91.5 pts on A-91 Agent Lynx.

Plus, CPRA member from Two Hills, Alta., team roping header, Clay Ullery teamed up with Jake Edwards (Ocala, FL) for the Fort Worth win for $22,200.

Other CPRA members who enjoyed Finals success include steer wrestlers Ty Erickson and Matt Reeves, and tie-down roping former Canadian (and World) Champions Tuf Cooper and Tyson Durfey.

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Pro Rodeo Canada Insider THE SHORT ROUND

LADIES WHO LUNCH

SO FAR! From first being crowned Miss Rodeo Canada 2020 at the 46th Canadian Finals Rodeo, to singing the Canadian anthem with honour at the Denver Stock Show & Rodeo, and launching off of a six-foot drop at the Cowboy Downhill Ski Race, my 365-day adventure has yet to see an uneventful day. I cannot wait to land in Florida this April and cheer on the inaugural Maple Leaf Circuit Champions who will be competing for a RAM National Circuit Finals Championship.

Throughout April and May, you will see me at the Leduc Back Gold Rodeo, and the Grande Prairie Stompede, amongst other events! I am looking forward to continuing to represent the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association, athletes and equine throughout Canada and the U.S. Wishing all of our competitors health and happiness throughout the 2020 rodeo season! —A.E. 46

Would you like to be on the planning committee for the muchanticipated 2020 Ladies of Canadian Pro Rodeo Fashion Show held in November in Red Deer during CFR? This annual event raises money for Sport Medicine and the CPRA’s Cowboy Benefit Fund. Come be entertained by the top professional rodeo competitors on the trail today, have a great visit with old and new friends, and enjoy a terrific lunch — all while looking fabulous.

To join this dynamic group, please contact Patty at the office of Pro Rodeo Canada in Airdrie, Alta. 403-945-0903. —T.M.

DUFFERS AND SANDBAGGERS The 3rd Annual Canadian Cowboy Classic Golf Tournament, in support of the Canadian Pro Rodeo Sport Medicine Team, goes June 16 at Valley Ridge Golf Club in Calgary.

The fund-raiser — which has garnered $90,000 to date — features a cowboy pancake breakfast at 7:45 a.m., followed by a shotgun start at 9:00.

The Sport Med team provides care for rodeo athletes before, during and after each rodeo performance and educates competitors on taking better care of themselves and their injuries. Along with the Ty Pozzobon Foundation, the team is producing educational videos related to mental health, concussions and other rodeo related issues. To sign up, go to CanadianCowboyClassic.com. —T.M. Canadian Cowboy Country April/May 2020

PHOTO COURTESY MRC COMMITTEE; PATTY AUGER

Miss Rodeo Canada 2020, Alicia Erickson

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Pro Rodeo Canada Insider WHAT DOES IT TAKE?

THE CHUTE BOSS RODEO’S TOP RANAHAN

By DIANNE FINSTAD

R

ODEO FANS APPRECIATE AN EXCITING, SMOOTH AND EFFICIENT PERFORMANCE OF THEIR SPORT. WHILE DEFINITELY A GROUP EFFORT, IT’S THE CHUTE BOSS WHO’S THE POINT PERSON FOR MAKING THAT HAPPEN.

Most rodeos have someone designated for the position, but the role has been most well-defined by Don Johansen.

Don has ruled the roost on the arena floor at the Canadian Finals Rodeo for an 48

impressive 33 years and at the Ponoka Stampede for 34. The Strathmore-raised champion earned his place in the Canadian Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame with his bull riding accomplishments, but his post-riding career

work has also contributed much to the professionalism of the sport.

“The biggest thing is getting everyone to know they’re on the same team and going in the same direction, so everybody knows what’s going on,” explains Johansen. “They all have very important roles, but if they’re not there at the right time, it can delay the rodeo or even hurt someone.”

There’s a lot of orchestration that happens for each performance. It all begins with the chute boss meeting with stock contractors, to collect details on what ‘deliveries’ each of their animals prefer. Just as humans are left or right-handed, horses or bulls perform better if their preference for chute sides are met. Depending on the number of chutes available at a rodeo set-up, that can be an organizational challenge for loading and riding order. For instance, Johansen Canadian Cowboy Country April/May 2020

PHOTO BY COVY MOORE

Tanner Girletz at 2019 CFR; Don Johansen in background

C.P.R.A.

and stock boss Duane Kesler had one CFR46 performance where nine saddle bronc horses needed a left-hand delivery.

They managed to coordinate getting six horses out of two chutes as smooth as silk.

The organizational tool of choice is a production sheet, outlining the order of the cowboys and the chutes for the horses. Bigger rodeos even have a daily production meeting to go over the order and timing outlined for each performance.

Contestants can see the draw ahead, which helps them be prepared to ride when it’s their turn.

While Johansen came to the chute boss role after riding bulls, Kynan Vine brings his perspective as a bullfighter and rodeo administrator when he’s calling the shots out front. As Manager for Rodeo and Chuckwagons at the Calgary Stampede, he knows a chute boss needs to ‘read’ stock and understand rodeo.

Don Johansen “In rodeo, the animals don’t know that there’s a schedule or a script, so the best people for in-arena personnel are those that know the animals, know the competition and see the trouble areas before they even happen,” states Vine.

“It’s about paying attention to details — it’s easier putting out fires when they’re just Serving as chute boss is giving some a spark,” agrees Johansen. “You want to give ‘retired from competition’ cowboys a way to the best shot to the horse (or bull) to buck stay involved with the sport, with the likes and give the contestant the best shot.” of Matt Lait, Kyle Daines, Gordie McKie and Just as important as a smooth perforTanner Girletz working the chutes, along mance is a safe one, for both competitors with Kale Ethier from the stock end of and animals. That can involve handling the equation. delicate situations with authority.

Having a close tie with the rodeo “You’re not always everybody’s best announcer is another crucial link. Johansen friend when you’re a chute boss,” admits credits legendary announcer Hadley Barrett Vine. “It takes a certain amount of respect with teaching him a valuable lesson on the from competitors to know that you’re just potential they each had to make the other doing your job, and part of the job is being look good… or not. Announcers don’t want the boss.” to call for the cowboy and then have to ‘fill’

for a long time while they get ready.

So there are often subtle signals the chute boss gives the announcer to cue the rider description or any order changes.

The chute boss is someone who is basically ‘on’ for the entire performance, watching, anticipating and preparing for whatever is to come next, like making sure the previous ride is safely cleaned up, and pickup men are in place before the next one comes out.

“You’ve got to be thinking ahead.

I can do a whole performance and honestly can’t tell you what anyone did. When the gate opens, I’ve got to be headed to the next guy,” adds Johansen.

Today’s rodeo fans have high expectations for their entertainment dollar. Vine sees that impacting the traditional chute boss role.

“I think one of the bigger changes I’ve seen is the production is such a big show, with so many moving pieces compared to even a few years ago. Now with a designated person doing the music, and video screens and replays, it’s kind of evolved where you need someone that oversees the whole production, tying it all together, which includes communicating with a rough stock chute boss and a timed event chute boss,” he explains.

Even if the ‘chute boss’ of the future is on a wireless headset, with a timed and detailed script, managing the overall rodeo production, the end goal will persist — to showcase the excitement and drama of professional rodeo in the best way possible.

“You want to give it to them quick so when they leave, they want to come back again,” emphasizes Johansen.

“Providing good rodeo, with top stock — people will come back for that because it’s entertainment.” c

PHOTO BY WILDWOOD IMAGERY/CHANTELLE BOWMAN

“It’s about paying attention to details — it’s easier putting out fires when they’re just a spark.”

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Pro Rodeo Canada Insider ROAD TO THE CFR

MICHAEL OSTASHEK RESETTING HIS GOAL

By TIM ELLIS

I

F SHEER DETERMINATION WAS THE ONLY PREREQUISITE FOR QUALIFYING FOR THE CANADIAN FINALS RODEO,

MICHAEL OSTASHEK WOULD HAVE HAD A SEAT AT THE YEAR-END FINALS

BY NOW. UNFORTUNATELY FOR THE EDSON, ALTA., BULL RIDER, HEALTH AND EARNINGS ARE ALSO PART OF THE EQUATION.

“I was eyeing up my chance to make the CFR in 2018, but it didn’t work out,” said the 26-year-old Ostashek. “I’ve re-focused, and that’s my goal.”

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He began that season in fine style by placing second at the Camrose Spring Classic Rodeo in late April. The nearly $1,600 in earnings from the event propelled Ostashek into the top 12 of the Pro Rodeo Canada bull riding standings. That ranking, however, did not last long.

“About Grande Prairie, I pulled my groin real bad,” he explains. “I tried riding injured, but it kept getting worse after every bull. I thought it was alright, but I was falling off way too many bulls. I kept going through the Cowboy Christmas run but ended up broke. I decided to rest up until the fall.”

It was the second time that Ostashek had pulled off the pro rodeo trail. After trying his luck in 2016, he opted for the amateur trail the next year.

“I wasn’t riding that good, donating a lot of money,” muses Ostashek. “I wanted to get my confidence back and feel good about my riding. It was 100 per cent mental. I needed to believe in myself and believe that I belonged. I took the time, started staying on more bulls and built more confidence in my riding.”

And while that move started to pay dividends in early 2018 in his return to the pro ranks, it perhaps showed even more

justification last season. At the Ponoka Stampede, Ostashek was 84.5 points in the long round to finish 11th and advance to the finals.

“That was the biggest accomplishment of my career so far,” beams Ostashek. “The first time I rode in Ponoka, I let one get by me. I wasn’t going to let another one get me on the ground.”

He later added another $2,000 to his 2019 earnings by posting the high-marked and only ride of the finals on night three of Cody Snyder’s Charity Bull Bustin’ in Calgary in early July.

Heading into the 2020 CPRA season, it appears Ostashek has things figured out both on and off the rodeo trail.

“While I was resting up in the winter before last season, I got a job as a mechanic,” he reveals. “That’s what I went to school for.”

“I found a boss (in Whitecourt) that lets me rodeo as hard I want to go. I give him my schedule a week in advance. There are lots of times I leave on a Wednesday night. He’ll just say good luck, and away I go. It helps knowing I have a job when I get back on Monday. I’m really fortunate.”

Ostashek is working hard to need a week off in early November to ride in the CFR. c

Canadian Cowboy Country April/May 2020

PHOTO BY JKW PHOTO/JEREMY WOMBOLD

Michael Ostashek riding KB 318 Ivy League to 85.5 pts at 2019 Ponoka Stampede

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