Early CFR Conversations – Benalto Stampede Highlights

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 major in Finance) will move up from the 21^st spot she occupied prior to the Benalto win to a place in the top fifteen and join the Canadian Finals Rodeo qualification conversation.

“This year I was just hoping to get Whiskey seasoned,” Wilson admitted. “I had no real expectations with running a 6-year-old, but he’s handling it all so well, we’ll keep trying for it. I’ve always wanted to qualify for the CFR so that’s a goal for sure.”

A few more wins like this one and the financial analyst with MNP (a sponsor at a number of CPRA rodeos), may spend some time crunching her own earnings numbers as the battle for CFR berths intensifies. 

“Probably what I love most about the rodeo road is all the different places we get to see and the great rodeos we get to compete at”, the Gleichen, Alberta talent noted. “These committees treat us so well it makes it a lot of fun,”

Tie-down roper, Murray Pole, returned to the winner’s circle (7.6 seconds, $1972) after cooling off a little following a blazing start to the 2023 season. The Erskine, Alberta veteran is hoping to get back to the CFR for the first time since 2012 and with the win finds himself in the top fifteen in the season’s standings.

Also returning to their winning ways was the team roping brother combination of Tate and Kagen Schmidt. The duo worked their magic in 4.1 seconds for $1801. The much-needed win kept the Barrhead cowboys solidly in the top ten in the standings.

Canadian rodeo fans will want to keep their eyes on an up-and-coming star as junior bull rider Beau Gardiner swept all three rounds in his event with scores of 81, 76 and 68 for $1302.

For complete unofficial results, head over to rodeocanada.com

This week sees CPRA competitors heading for Maple Leaf Circuit rodeo, Bowden Daze July 14-15 then northward to the Teepee Creek Stampede, another stop on the SMS Equipment Pro Rodeo Tour, July 14-16.

For complete unofficial results go to rodeocanada.com