October 29, 2019 | Red Deer, AB — The 46th edition of the Canadian Finals Rodeo (CFR 46) kicked off today in Red Deer, Alberta. For the second year in a row, Westerner Park will play host to CFR 46 in partnership with the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association (CPRA) and Red Deer & District Chamber of Commerce.
CFR 46, presented by RAM, is a six-day celebration of western culture and entertainment that defies physics with events on and off site that promises to have fans kickin’ up their heels. Since the 2018 inaugural event, CFR has more than doubled their free day-time programming to host over 55 on-site events during the week.
The morning began at Denny’s Red Deer for their Kick-Off Charity Breakfast. For the second year in a row, Denny’s raised funds for the Rodeo Cowboy Benevolent Fund as Rodeo fans ordered $1.99 Grand Slam Original breakfasts in support of a good cause.
Day one of CFR 46 was themed to celebrate the CPRA’s 75th Anniversary: History of Rodeo. Fans were encouraged to wear red clothing, CPRA’s brand colour, to join in the celebration.
Things in Agri-Centre East heated up bright and early for the Miss Rodeo Canada Horsemanship Competition. All five of the young ladies competing for the 2020 title demonstrated their horsemanship skills in front of the judges as one of the many components in the four day competition.
The all-new Ultimate Cowboy Challenge was the first event to stir up the dirt in the Centrium this morning. Local cowboy and CFR qualifier, Ben Anderson, was able to take home the win with the help from his world champion Xtreme Cowboy Racer teammate, Teala Caton. The 2019 Ultimate Cowboy Challenge raised money in support of the Ty Pozzobon foundation. Guests were invited back by the Xtreme Wild Rose Club to watch the Xtreme Cowboy Competition, happening from 10 am to 4 pm on Saturday in Agri-Centre East.
This morning’s Athlete Hot Stove in the Stockmens Pavilion kicked-off the entertainment lineup in the Trade Show. Host Ted Stovin was joined by world champion trio Zeke Thurston, Jeremy Buehler and Levi Simpson for an intimate chat about their sport. Shortly afterwards, Bull Riding qualifiers helped kickoff the CFR pin trading in conjunction with their Autograph Session in the Exhibition Hall.
This year, CFR has introduced 8 exclusive event pins to bring the pin trading tradition back to rodeo fans. Guests are asked to keep an eye on official CFR Red Deer social media pages for their shot at collecting this year’s pins. An additional 7 sponsor pins are also available during CFR week; for more details on pin trading, visit cfrreddeer.ca.
Inside the Prairie Pavilion, rodeo goers fueled up at the lunch & dinner buffets in between shopping the massive 100,000 sq. foot Trade Show space. Catered by Westerner Park Catering, the buffets are a brand new addition to the 2019 rodeo, receiving much positive praise from diners on it’s first day running.
In the dirt, Bareback rider Spur Lacasse captured the first go round win of the week with a score of 87.25, while Brendan Laye takes Steer Wrestling with a time of 3.4. In the Team Roping Dawson and Dillon Graham edge Clay Ullery and Riley Warren by 0.01 second to win the round with a time of 3.9.
Wearing the prestigious #1 back number, Zeke Thurston takes Saddle Bronc with a score of 87.00, While Haven Meged wins Tie-Down with a time of 8.2. Both seasons leaders in Ladies Barrel Racing and Bull Riding capture their go round; Justine Elliott with a time of 14.510 in Ladies Barrel Racing and Bull Rider, Edgar Durazo with a score of 87.25. To see full list of results from performance #1 please visit: www.cfrreddeer.ca/rodeo/results/
The evening wrapped up with Doc Walker and Garrett Gregory on the TD Cabaret Stage in the CFR 46 Cabaret, presented by Home Building Centre.
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For more information please contact:
Ashley Nelson
Marketing & Communications Assistant Manager
P 403.309.0205
E anelson@westernerpark.ca