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 CFR 49. Entering the weekend in the 12^th and final qualifying berth, the second-generation Calgary cowboy was the only man to get to the whistle in his event at Medicine Lodge with an 80 point ride on Duffy Rodeo’s 213 Blue Bananas for $714, then added a third place cheque of $376 at Coronation. Lacasse will jump up one spot in the standings and with perennial finalist Cole Goodine still on the injured list, the French-Canadian talent can rest a little easier with only three rodeos remaining in the Canadian regular season.

Less than $1400 separates the 10^th place man and the 15^th place competitor in the steer wrestling standings in a race destined to go down to the last steer thrown at the final rodeo of the season – the Edmonton Pro Rodeo at the end of the month.

The weary traveler—Tim Kemp–improved his stock when he split the win at Medicine Lodge (with Coltin Crawford and Baillie Milan); his 3.8 second run earned the Ontario commuter $795 to maintain his position on the season leaderboard. 15^th place man Craig Weisgerber picked up a fourth place $523 cheque at Coronation to keep his CFR aspirations alive while Ryan Shuckburgh, another of the doggers duking it out for the final CFR spots managed an $82, 6^th place spit at Medicine Lodge.

A similar logjam exists in the tie-down roping where just $1300 separates 11 from 15. Bo Pickett helped himself as he vies for a first trip to the CFR. A second place 8.4 netted the 14^th place Caldwell, Idaho roper an important $992 cash injection as he finished behind winner Kyle Lucas (fairly safe in 9^th place) who was 8.0 for the win and $1199. And the 13^th man in the standings, Clay Elliott, picked up a critical $682 courtesy of a 3/4 split at Medicine Lodge. (Elliott, the 2018 Canadian Saddle Bronc Champion, has switched events over the few couple of years and is making a name for himself in the roping pen.) One rung up the ladder, 12th place man Stran Dunham managed a $372 fifth place run at Coronation. Stay tuned in the timed events.

Speaking of which, in the team roping a couple of the teams in contention for Finals berths made money. Heeler Kasper Roy who was 13^th before weekend action, moved past Chase Simpson into 12th spot with a critical 3^rd place $775 cheque at Medicine Lodge while Logan Groves stayed hot on his heels with his own 3^rd place earnings–$826 at Coronation. And on the other side of the steer, the Brody Groves half of the Groves duo’s payout allowed the Czar, AB hand to leapfrog Brett Buss to 12^th spot. This is another race that is way too close to call.

Check for complete unofficial weekend results at rodeocanada.com

With only two weekends remaining in the regular Pro Rodeo Canada season, athletes next head to Hanna Pro Rodeo and Oldstoberfest (in Olds, AB) – with both events slated for September 15-16.

Photo: Clay Elliott wins a share of third at Medicine Lodge Fall Round-Up, Dallas Duffy photo