CPRA Year-End Winners

Wayne Vold’s spectacular saddle bronc, Pedro, heads into the Canadian Finals Rodeo (Nov 7 – 11, Rexall Place, Edmonton, Alberta) as the top Saddle Bronc in Canada for 2012.

“He’s a special horse, no doubt about it.” Vold commented. “He can buck ‘em off or they can be 90 (pts) on him. He’s definitely the Sydney Crosby of my herd.” The seven year old brown gelding was purchased at the 2010 Las Vegas Futurity Bucking Stock Sale for $54,500 from consigner, Darcy Hollingsworth of Eckville, Alberta. The 2012 Bareback Horse of the Year is Calgary Stampede’s, Special Delivery, a six year old stallion sired by Hall of Fame and six time World Champion sire, Grated Coconut out of the perennial CFR mare, Zippy Delivery.

And the 2012 Bull of the Year is Kesler Rodeo Company’s six year old red 1800 pound super star, Whiskey Jack. The bull comes off of a tremendous year and is making his second CFR appearance. The Calgary Stampede, under the leadership of Rodeo Manager, Keith Marrington and Stampede Ranch Foreman, Raymond Goodman, was honored as 2012 Stock Contractor of the Year.

The 2012 Timed Event Horses include: Tie Down Horse of the year – Pincher owned by Chad Johnson; Steer Wrestling Horse of the Year – Pistol – owned by Clayton Moore; Barrel Horse with the Most Heart – Mooney -owned by Cranna Roberts; Team Roping Head Horse of the Year – Stetson – owned by Levi Simpson and Team Roping Healing Horse of the Year – Dunny – owned by Rocky Ross.

All three contract act of the year award winners are repeat recipients: Senlac, Saskatchewan’s CrAsh Cooper is the Comedy Act winner for a seventh time while Niki Flundra of Pincher Creek, Alberta, in the Dress Act category and Sylvan Lake Rodeo Announcer, Brett Gardiner both captured their honors for the second consecutive year.

Several rodeo committees were recognized as well. Committee of the Year awards went to Ponoka, Alberta (large event), La Crete, Alberta (medium event), Maple Creek, Saskatchewan (small event). Most improved ground honors (determined by the barrel racers) went to La Crete, Alberta (large), Maple Creek, Saskatchewan (medium) and Dawson Creek, British Columbia (small). Repeat appearances are also the order of the day for 2012 Canadian Finals Rodeo personnel. 2009 Cowboy of the Year, Gary Rempel (Fort Shaw, Montana) enjoys a record 15th consecutive selection as pick-up man and is joined by Jason Resch (Fort Assiniboine, Alberta) who is making his 5th appearance in Edmonton. Bull fighting cousins, Scott Byrne of Brandon, MB (11 times CFR) and Jesse Byrne of Okotoks, Alberta (4 times CFR) will be back at Rexall Place once again, while Brett Monea (Wetaskiwin, Alberta) will serve as alternate bull fighter. Maxine Baird, (Castor, Alberta) will be at her 24th Canadian Finals, and is joined once again by Ponoka, Alberta’s Brenda Vold who is making an 8th consecutive CFR visit.

The roster of 2012 CFR contestants has been finalized. Go to the CPRA website to get the full run down of who is loading up and heading to Edmonton in November.

~ Courtesy of the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association: