Band of Brothers

Only once since 2005 has there not been a pair of brothers qualify in the same year for the CFR in the steer wrestling. Derek and Dallas Frank are hoping to continue that tradition.

The Stony Plain, Alta., brothers each won three cheques at the three CPRA rodeos this past weekend. Derek had the most proficient weekend with earnings of $2,289. The 2009 Foothills Cowboys Association champion had his biggest payday in Coronation, Alta., where his run of 4.3 seconds was the best of the rodeo. Those earnings should be enough to move the younger Frank from 15th in the Canadian bulldogging standings to within the top ten. Dallas’ best run of the weekend was also in Coronation where a 4.6-second trip paid the three time CFR qualifier $522. He’ll move inside the top 20 after pocketing weekend cheques worth $1,173.

Dallas has already been part of a CFR-qualifying brother combination. He and younger brother, Travis both appeared in Edmonton in 2006. In fact, Travis still holds the record for the fastest steer wrestling run at the finals, a 3.1-second blur on the opening night of that year’s CFR.

There seems to be no way of slowing down veteran bareback rider, Kyle Bowers. Coming off a huge Canada Day long weekend in which he won just under $14,000, the Brooks, Alta., cowboy added another $1,890 with victories in Taber, Alta., and Coronation.

“It’s nice especially at this point in my career,” says the 36 year-old Bowers of his recent hot streak. “You’ve got to do a lot of things right just to keep up with these young guys.”

One of those young guys is Ky Marshall of Olds, Alta. He won the bareback riding at the third weekend stop in Benalto, Alta.

A couple of young bronc riders are showing they may soon be ready for the bright lights. Kale McKenzie of Rocky Mountain House, Alta., not only won the novice saddle bronc title in Benalto but also won the open bronc riding in Taber. His 78-point ride on Richards Rodeo’s Lonesome Nights was good for $1,052. Meantime, Hudson Hope, BC’s Jake Watson followed in McKenzie’s footsteps by winning in Coronation. The 2013 CNFR qualifier also placed 2nd in the NSB in Taber for a $1,308 weekend. Other top winners from the weekend included bullriders Zane Lambert ($2,192), Skyler McBride ($1,255) and Jesse Torkelson ($1,155); barrel racers, Joleen Seitz ($1,532) and Ryley McKenzie ($1,228) and timed event cowboy, Curtis Cassidy ($1,029 SW, $764 TD).

CPRA competitors head to northern Alberta this weekend (July 13-14) for the Teepee Creek Stampede and the Harmon Valley Rodeo near Peace River.

For more information, www.rodeocanada.com, Pro Rodeo Canada