RODEO NEWS

Red Deer’s Peavey Mart Centrium erupted today when Big Valley, Alta superstar bronc rider, Zeke Thurston clinched his record fourth consecutive saddle bronc riding title. Despite bucking off his first bronc of the five-day Finals, Thurston wasted no time righting the ship, as he won the next three go-rounds. And today was vintage Zeke Thurston…

The stage is set. With the curtain about to come down on the 2023 Canadian pro rodeo season, several title races are still very much in doubt. A couple of former champions will go head-to-head in a bull riding showdown that will determine the winner. Two-time and reigning title holder Jared Parsonage sits atop the…

It was the greatest night of team roping in the history of the Canadian Finals Rodeo. The progression was this: one tenth of a second off the record followed by ‘equals the record’ followed by two teams ‘breaking the record’. The old mark of 3.7 seconds was first equalled by Tee McLeod and Brady Chappel…

Team ropers, Dawson and Dillon Graham proved once again why they are Champions. The Wainwright, Alberta brothers settled atop the leaderboard on a solid night of roping with a 3.9 second run – just two tenths off the arena record. This after a disappointing first round where the brothers finished out of the money. “You…

Logan Hay got the monkey off his back on night one of the Canadian Finals Rodeo. The third generation bronc rider marked an impressive 85.75 points on Vold Rodeo’s 52 Elvira to top the field in a performance that saw the competitors take on the eliminator pen. “I’ve never got a score in the first…

October 25, 2023 | Red Deer, AB Westerner Park Celebrates 5 Years as Home to Canadian Finals Rodeo In partnership with the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association (CPRA), Westerner Park proudly marks five outstanding years as the host of the Canadian Finals Rodeo (CFR). For over half a decade, Westerner Park has been a dynamic hub…

October 18, 2023 | Airdrie, AB 2023 Canadian Finals Rodeo Personnel Announced We’re quickly approaching the start to the 2023 Canadian Finals Rodeo. And it takes a big team of talented folks – some in the arena – and others working behind the scenes to bring the event to the public. CFR 49’s rodeo personnel…

October 5, 2023 | Airdrie, AB CPRA End of Season Wrap-Up With the completion of the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association regular season, the rosters are almost set for Canadian Finals Rodeo ’49 at the Peavey Mart Centrium in Red Deer, Alta. November 1-5. But there were a few surprises as the season wrapped up at…

September 21, 2023 | Airdrie, AB CPRA Year-End Livestock Awards Announced As the 2023 regular season winds down, it’s time, once again to celebrate the animal athletes of our sport and those who raise and care for them. These awards are decided by votes cast by the top 20 contestants in their respective events. Junior…

September 19, 2023 | Airdrie, AB CPRA Year-End Personnel Awards and CFR Personnel Announced The Canadian Professional Rodeo Association (CPRA) is pleased to announce and congratulate the winners of its year-end personnel awards and Canadian Finals Rodeo (CFR) personnel selections for 2023. These awards are decided by votes cast by the top 20 contestants in…

September 18, 2023 | Airdrie, AB Canadian Finals Rodeo Watch One of the most successful and best attended regular seasons in Canadian rodeo history will wrap up with its final event—the Edmonton Pro Rodeo on September 29 and 30. But there are still a number of races that are not decided. If it seems like…

September 10, 2023 | Airdrie, AB Inching Closer to a CFR Berth With the clock ticking and nearing midnight for qualifying for the Canadian Finals Rodeo, several competitors helped their cause at weekend CPRA stops Coronation Pro Rodeo and the Medicine Lodge Fall Round-Up. Bareback rider Spur Lacasse moved closer to punching his ticket to…

September 5, 2023 | Airdrie, AB Pivotal Labour Day Weekend for CPRA Athletes Canadian Pro Rodeo’s all-British Columbia weekend was, as it usually is, a game-changer. Cowboys and cowgirls made the most of the four critical stops on the CPRA calendar to mount late-season charges at those important twelve spots at the top of the…

August 21, 2023 | Airdrie, AB Late Season Drama Three crucial rodeos, two timely wins and one big weekend perfectly define bareback rider Spur Lacasse as he mounts a late season charge for a CFR berth. The CFR cowboy, who is still recovering from the knee reconstruction that kept him out of action for a year, found…

August 14, 2023 | Airdrie, AB Veterans Show the Way Riley Warren knew that success at the Dawson Creek Stampede was critical if the veteran two-event hand wanted to salvage what has been a disappointing season to date. And the 33-year-old former Canadian Champion did exactly what he needed to do, posting an 8.9 second run…

August 8, 2023 | Airdrie, AB Important Weekend for McLeod and Chappel Winning two rodeos in a weekend can be a game changer. And when it comes at a critical time of the year, and the two rodeos are both SMS Equipment Pro Tour events, the significance of the double victories is that much greater….

August 2, 2023 | Airdrie, AB Andersen and Cooper Cash In Ben Anderson has been very good for a long time. But 2023 has seen the second-generation central Alberta bronc rider take his craft to another level. His most recent win—the Pollockville, Alberta Hardgrass Bronc Match and the accompanying $12,238 payday–moved the two-time CFR qualifier…

July 26, 2023 | Airdrie, AB CPRA Launches Video Review Trial The Canadian Professional Rodeo Association (CPRA) is excited to announce a Video Review Trial. The initiative will kick into gear at the upcoming Hardgrass Bronc Match in Pollockville July 29 and again at the Strathmore Stampede on the August long weekend. CPRA personnel and…

July 18, 2023 | Airdrie, AB Bringing the Summer Heat Several CPRA cowboys and cowgirls made the most of Canadian rodeo’s eastern swing to pad their earnings totals this past weekend. Among the big winners were barrel racer Traci MacDonald, steer wrestler Scott Guenthner and bull rider Cauy Schmidt. MacDonald (nee Traci Dawson), the Erskine,…

July 18, 2023 | Airdrie, AB Mid-Way Point in the CPRA Season Coy Robbins continued his winning ways with a sweep of the bull riding at the two weekend CPRA events. The Camrose, AB cowboy put up an 87-point score at Bowden Daze on Macza Rodeo’s 8681 Dirty Money for a $1052 payday. Robbins then topped…

July 12, 2023 | Airdrie, AB Early CFR Conversations Second-generation Jayden Wilson, was the biggest winner at the recently completed Benalto Stampede. Riding her six-year-old gelding Whiskey (Fame is Dynamite), the multi-faceted cowgirl turned in an impressive 14.80 second run to claim the $2072 winner’s pay cheque. The University of Calgary grad (Commerce degree with a…

July 3, 2023 | Airdrie, AB Big Cowboy Christmas Paydays Three is a significant number in the bronc riding career of Canadian rodeo superstar, Zeke Thurston. The three-time Canadian and World Champion notched his third Ponoka Stampede title July 2 with a 92.5-point Showdown ride on the Calgary Stampede’s Dandy Delight. The Showdown at the…

June 26, 2023 | Airdrie, AB Pivotal Weekend For Cross-Border Competitors Orin Larsen is a man on the move. The Canadian-born bareback rider was on his game on the weekend as he collected two wins–SMS Equipment Pro Tour’s Sundre Pro Rodeo (89.5 points on the Calgary Stampede’s A-91 Agent Lynx for $2606) and High River’s…

June 19, 2023 | Airdrie, AB Xplosive Zeke When two superstars meet, the results are often spectacular. And when those superstars are both world champions, the outcome can be magical. That was exactly the case on Saturday night at the Wildwood Bronc Bustin’ in Wildwood, Alberta when three-time World and Canadian Champion, Zeke Thurston, met…

June 12, 2023 | Airdrie, AB Four rodeos over four days can have a major impact on the standings. And this weekend was a good example. The busy Alberta run that took in stops at Marwayne (Lea Park Rodeo), Brooks (Newell Pro Rodeo), Rocky Mountain House (Rocky Pro Rodeo) and Bonnyville Pro Rodeo also saw…

May 29, 2023 | Airdrie, AB A three-event rodeo weekend had a large impact on both the Road to the CFR and SMS Equipment Pro Tour races as the CPRA season heats up both on the thermometer and in preparation for the dog days of summer. Ben Anderson, the Rocky Mountain House bronc rider, enjoyed…

May 29, 2023 | Airdrie, AB | Tim Kemp Among Buffalo Lake Winners If you’re looking for an example of rodeo dedication, look no further than steer wrestler Tim Kemp. The Ontario bulldogger commutes from his home at Kincardine, Ontario (two and a half hours west of Toronto near Lake Huron) to Alberta most weeks…

May 23, 2023 | Airdrie, AB | Consistent Spring for Logan Bird Logan Bird has established himself as one of the most consistent tie-down ropers in the game. And his winning effort at the Falkland Stampede was more of what fans have come to expect from the Nanton, Alberta roper. Bird was a rapid 8.1…

May 16, 2023 | Airdrie, AB | SMS Equipment Kicks Off 2023 Pro Rodeo Tour When the 2023 season of the SMS Equipment Pro Rodeo Tour kicks off in Buffalo Lake, Alta. May 27-28, attendees will revel in the excitement, pageantry and athleticism happening in the arena. Most of those same rodeo fans, however, will…

May 1, 2023 | Airdrie, AB | Big Weekend For Jacob Gardner They call him The Prince of the Peace Country. But Jacob Gardner has shown that his abilities aren’t limited to one geographical area with weekend successes in Alberta and southwest Texas. The Fort St. John, BC bullrider/bull dogger captured a couple of titles…

April 24, 2023 | Airdrie, AB | Tanner Milan and Eddie – A Powerful Partnership Tanner Milan is on a heater, no doubt about it. The two-time Canadian Steer Wrestling Champion is four for four to kick off the 2023 Canadian rodeo season after a weekend win at the Dawson Creek Spring Breakup with a…

April 21, 2023 | Airdrie, AB | Canadian Pro Rodeos Added to The Cowboy Channel Rural Media Group, Inc. (RMG) announced today that it has entered into an assignment and assumption agreement with FloSports, Inc. to purchase and obtain the media rights license for the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association (CPRA). Effective immediately, RMG now owns the…

April 17, 2023 | Airdrie, AB | Strong Start to the Season for Pascal Isabelle Pascal Isabelle describes his Bareback riding career as a ‘work in progress’. If 2023’s first Canadian spring rodeo stop, the Broncs and Honky Tonks event in Medicine Hat, AB, is any indication, things are progressing nicely indeed for the Quebec-born…

April 12, 2023 | Airdrie, AB | CPRA and Troy Fischer Silverworks Extend Agreement The Canadian Professional Rodeo Association (CPRA) is happy to announce a three-year contract extension with Troy Fischer Silverworks as the official trophy buckle partner of the CPRA. “We’ve enjoyed a long partnership with Troy and Tara Fischer,” said Denny Phipps, General…

March 20, 2023 | Airdrie, AB | CPRA Welcomes New Rodeo Administrator The Canadian Professional Rodeo Association is excited to announce that Tanner Girletz will be joining the team as CPRA Rodeo Administrator. The former Canadian bull riding champion and CPRA board member brings broad rodeo experience, maturity and enthusiasm to the role. “I’m excited…

December 10, 2022 | Airdrie, AB | Thurston Wins Third World Title Canadian bronc riding legend, Zeke Thurston, continued to fashion a story book career as he won his third World Championship. The second generation Big Valley, Alberta cowboy capped off a brilliant week by splitting the go-round win with Canadian teammate Kolby Wanchuk and…

December 9, 2022 | Airdrie, AB | Farewell to a Champion With several races going own to the wire, leaders and contenders took a back seat to a spectacular ride in the saddle bronc riding. After watching his brother win three consecutive rounds, Canada’s Dawson Hay decided it was his time to shine. The Wildwood,…

National Finals Rodeo – Round Eight Highlights Thursday at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo was Canada Night, and the Canadian bronc riding contingent did not disappoint. While the round win went to Stetson Wright, who topped the field with a tremendous 90 point ride on Hell Boy from the Bar T Rodeo Company, Canadians finished…

National Finals Rodeo – Round Seven Highlights It could come down to a Canadian versus Canadian showdown in the bronc riding at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. In go-round number seven, rookie finalist Logan Hay won his third go round in a row, this one courtesy of a 90-point ride on Hi Lo Pro Rodeo’s…

NFR Round Six Highlights – Canadian Bronc Riders Continue to Shine After five rounds of the 2022 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, the six qualifying Canadian bronc riders had won fifteen of the thirty placings, fifty per cent. The boys from north of ’49 decided to go one better in round six as…

NFR Round Five Highlights – 1st Round Win For Logan Hay What a difference 24 hours can make. In round number four at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, a couple of event leaders ran into some trouble and watched some of those in pursuit draw a lot closer. But that was round four. This was…

NFR Round 4 Highlights: Zeke Thurston – Making a Move A couple of races that looked all but over got a whole lot more interesting in round number four of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, Nevada.  One of the biggest moves came in the bronc riding. On a night that pitted the…

December 4, 2022 | Spectacular Finish to Agribition Maple Leaf Circuit Finals To say Coy Robbins is on a roll is like saying Connor McDavid is a pretty good hockey player. The 23-year-old bull rider finished off his 2022 season in style going four for four at the Maple Leaf Circuit Finals in Regina’s Brandt…

2022 WNFR – Round Three Highlights A pair of 90 point rides highlighted a great night of bull riding in the third round of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas with Montana hand, Garrett Smith, the 2017 Canadian Champion, sharing the round win with JR Stratford. Smith had Stace Smith Rodeo’s Evil Intentions…

2022 WNFR – Round Two Highlights Two time world champion Hunter Cure led the bulldoggers on night two at the Thomas and Mack. The Holliday, Texas cowboy—who qualified for the 2019 Canadian Finals Rodeo—was a rapid 3.7 to earn his first 2022 NFR cheque. Cure is second overall in the World standings $35,000 back of…

2022 Maple Leaf Circuit Finals at Midway Point December 2, 2022 – The Maple Leaf Circuit Finals is well underway at Regina, Saskatchewan’s Brandt Centre as part of Canadian Western Agribition. An outstanding field of rodeo stars is enjoying success as they vie for Maple Leaf Circuit supremacy. Among those competing through the event’s four…

2022 WNFR – Round 1 Highlights Three of the six Canadian bronc riders at this year’s Wrangler National Finals Rodeo hit the pay window in first go-round action. On a night that saw three of the top four placings coming on Canadian horses, Dawson Hay on Outlaw Buckers’ Lunatic Party and two-time World titleist, Zeke…

November 23, 2022 | Airdrie, AB | Lea Park Rodeo Gains SMS Equipment Pro Tour Status   One of the more unique stops on the Pro Rodeo Canada trail each year is the stunning river valley setting of the Lea Park Pro Rodeo. As we look ahead to 2023, it’s exciting to announce that Lea…

November 14, 2022 | Red Deer, AB – Celebrating CFR 48 The Canadian Professional Rodeo Association (CPRA) and Westerner Park are celebrating a successful CFR 48. It was an exceptional year, exceeding all three previous CFR Red Deer attendance numbers. Over 30,000 people took in the 6 performances of the rodeo itself, plus thousands more…

November 6, 2022 | Airdrie, AB 

November 5, 2022 | Airdrie, AB | Races Tighten Heading into Final Day of CFR 48  

November 5, 2022, Red Deer, AB 

November 4, 2022 | Airdrie, AB | Bronc Riders Dominate at CFR ’48 – Round 3 New CFR Record in the Saddle Bronc Riding

November 3, 2022 | Airdrie, AB | Stellar Round of Steer Wrestling on CFR Night Two

November 2, 2022 | Airdrie, AB | Beau Cooper Enjoys First CFR Victory Lap

October 20, 2022 | Airdrie, AB | 2022 Canadian Finals Rodeo Personnel Announced

October 3, 2022 | Airdrie, AB | Sundre Pro Rodeo Joins SMS Equipment Pro Tour

September 29, 2022 | Airdrie, AB | Pro Rodeo Canada Year-End Awards Announced

September 25, 2022 | Airdrie, AB | Packin’ For CFR

September 21| Red Deer, AB | Do you have our anthem in you?  Canadian Finals Rodeo unveils it’s new ‘ANTHEM’ program – a chance for entrants to be the official Canadian national anthem singer for CFR 48.

September 20, 2022 | Airdrie, AB | Kylie Whiteside Bats 1000

September 7, 2022 | Airdrie, AB | Big Moves in B.C.

August 30, 2022 | Airdrie, AB | Triple Play for Graham Brothers

August 23, 2022 | Airdrie, AB | Standings Races Tighten

August 16, 2022 | Airdrie, AB | Hansen Makes Big Move

August 10, 2022 | Red Deer, AB | Ready to Ride, Canada? – Single Performance Tickets Now Available for CFR 48 in Red Deer!

August 9, 2022 | Airdrie, AB | Good Times For Goodine

August 3, 2022 | Airdrie, AB | Hay Sets New World Record

July 27, Red Deer, AB | All-In Packs are now available for Purchase for CFR48 at Westerner Park!

July 27, 2022 | Airdrie, AB | CFR Breakaway Roping Moves to 12 Competitors for CFR ’48 and ’49

July 19, 2022 | Airdrie, AB | Guenthner Tops Leaderboard at Teepee Creek and Bowden

July 5, 202 | Airdrie, AB | Cowboy Christmas… A Game Changer

June 28, 2022 | Airdrie, AB | Ty Harris On Fire

June 20, 2022 | Airdrie, AB | Davison and Schmidt Among Weekend Stand-Outs

June 14, 2022 | Airdrie, AB |  Big Weekend for Ben Anderson

June 6, 2022 | Airdrie, AB | Cassidy Extends Season Lead

May 31, 2022 | Airdrie, AB | Gardner Three-Peat Winner at Grande Prairie

May 24, 2022 l Airdrie, AB | 102 Years of the Falkland Stampede

May 18, 2022 l Airdrie, AB | SMS Equipment Pro Tour Kicks Off at Grande Prairie

May 10, 2022 l Airdrie, AB | Popescul – Top Gun at Taber Spring is here! And with it, the official start of the 2022 Canadian Professional Rodeo season.

April 25, 2022  l Airdrie, AB | Veterans Shine as Canadian Pro Rodeo Season gets Underway

March 29, Red Deer, AB | Exciting Season On Tap For Pro Rodeo Canada Spring is here! And with it, the official start of the 2022 Canadian Professional Rodeo season.

March 22, Red Deer, AB | ATB Financial Enters Three-Year Agreement as Title Sponsor of the Canadian Finals Rodeo. Saddle-up! The Canadian Professional Rodeo Association (CPRA) and Westerner Park have a new long-term title sponsor for the Canadian Finals Rodeo (CFR), as ATB Financial has renewed its sponsorship agreement through 2024.

January 24, 2022 | Airdrie, AB — Big Time CPRA Success at National Western (Denver) The National Western Stock Show and Rodeo wrapped up in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, January 23 and it was an outstanding day for CPRA athletes. Two of those competitors, Carstairs, Alberta tie-down roper, Kyle Lucas and Sherwood Park saddle bronc…

December 11, 2021 l Las Vegas, NV | 2021 Champions Crowned at Wrangler National Finals Rodeo

November 28, 2021 | Regina, SK — Second Maple Leaf Circuit Finals Wraps Up at Agribition. The Maple Leaf Circuit Finals, an integral part of Regina, Sask’s Canadian Western Agribition which celebrated 50 years November 23-27, simultaneously brought the 2021 rodeo calendar year to a close and kicked off the 2022 Canadian Professional Rodeo season. For…

November 10, 2021 | Red Deer, AB — The Canadian Professional Rodeo Association (CPRA) and Westerner Park are celebrating a successful 47th Canadian Finals Rodeo. “Rodeo is built on community, and you can see how the staff, volunteers, sponsors, community partners, and supporters all came together to put on an amazing Canadian Finals Rodeo,” says…

November 7, 2021 | Red Deer, AB – Champions Declared at CFR47 It was a fitting finale for the return of Professional Rodeo in Canada. After a 24 month absence, the Canadian Finals Rodeo returned to Red Deer’s Peavey Mart Centrium to ring down the curtain on the abbreviated 2021 season. It was a week…

November 5, 2021 | Red Deer, AB — Memorable Friday Night at CFR47 They call them the TV pens in the sport of rodeo.  The reference is to the best of the best in terms of the horses and bulls in the riding events. And Friday night’s third round of the Canadian Finals Rodeo proved…

“Cabaret Corral” All-Canadian Country Music Line-up   October 21, 2021 | Red Deer, AB — The 47th Canadian Finals Rodeo (CFR 47), set to run November 3-7, 2021, is fast approaching and we are excited to announce an all-new “Cabaret Corral” country music entertainment lineup. This year features all Canadian artists on the TD Cabaret…

ATB Financial assumes Title Sponsor role and extends funding to support mental health of rodeo competitors   October 19, 2021 | Red Deer, AB —  When the 47th Canadian Finals Rodeo (CFR) returns to Red Deer’s Westerner Park November 3-7, it will be with a new title sponsor: Alberta-based financial institution, ATB Financial. The 47th…

Celebrating CPRA Season Leaders October 14, 2021 | Airdrie, AB — After a year hiatus, the finalists have been decided, the back numbers have been assigned and preparations are underway as the countdown to CFR 47 continues. View the complete Pro Rodeo Canada New Release for the contestant roster, season leaders, the complete back number…

October 12, 2021 | Red Deer, AB — Westerner Park is collaborating with Precede Occupational Health Services Inc. to provide COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Testing for the Canadian Finals Rodeo (CFR). Testing will be provided from November 1st through 7th, 2021. With the Restrictions Exemption Program in place for CFR, either proof of complete vaccination or…

October 4, 2021 | Airdrie, AB — The Canadian Professional Rodeo Association (CPRA) is excited to recognize its 2021 Award recipients. Several repeat winners top the list – decided by votes cast by the top 20 contestants in all major events, novice contestants and CPRA contract members. Brett Gardiner is being recognized as Canada’s Announcer…

September 8, 2021 | Red Deer, AB — The Canadian Professional Rodeo Association (CPRA), and Westerner Park are excited to announce that the Canadian Finals Rodeo (CFR) is set to go in Red Deer November 3-7! It’s the 47th anniversary of the excellence and quality of experience that fans and competitors have come to expect…

June 24,  2020 | Red Deer, AB — The Canadian Professional Rodeo Association (CPRA), Westerner Park and the Red Deer & District Chamber of Commerce made the difficult yet important decision to postpone this year’s Canadian Finals Rodeo (CFR47) until 2021. With the uncertainty surrounding COVID-19 related health guidelines and the cancellation of many qualifying…

Over 135 ticket donations were made to deserving youth & their families from ALL-IN Ticket Pack holders for the 46th Canadian Finals Rodeo! Created in partnership Tickets Alberta, and local non-profit Youth HQ, the ticket donation process allowed rodeo fans who did not plan to use their seats for all seven performances of the 2019…

November 3, 2019 | Red Deer, AB — The final day of the 46th Canadian Finals Rodeo was Gold Champions Day; as the competition was set to heat up, fans wore their best gold threads to be a part of the celebrations. The morning’s charity breakfast, sponsored by Red Deer & District Chamber of Commerce,…

November 2, 2019 | Red Deer, AB — Day five of the Canadian Finals Rodeo was themed Around The World Day. From New Zealand to the United Kingdom, CFR welcomes fans from across the globe to Red Deer for the 2019 event. Today was dedicated to celebrating the diversity of rodeo, as CFR recognized the…

November 1, 2019 | Red Deer, AB — Day four of the Canadian Finals Rodeo, sponsored by RAM and the Government of Alberta, was dubbed Rodeo Royalty Day. The crowning of Miss Rodeo Canada and announcement of the 2019 Hall of Fame inductees prompted guests to sport their best purple attire for the day. This…