Morgan Grant – Hot in Stretch Drive

RELEASE BY PRO RODEO CANADA

Just five weeks ago, Morgan Grant was considering his Plan ‘B.’ Now, with just eight rodeos left on the Pro Rodeo Canada schedule, his plans for qualifying for the Canadian Finals Rodeo have taken a decidedly different direction.

“I’m now in the fight in both event to make the CFR,” concluded Grant, who has won $11,499 in both the steer wrestling and tie-down roping since July 17. “This is where your metal is tested.”

The 26-year-old Ontario native continued his hot streak this past weekend with a win in the bulldogging at the Jasper Heritage Rodeo in Jasper, AB, and a second-place finish at the Cranbrook Pro Rodeo in Cranbrook, B.C. His cheques equaled $3,041.

“I got an awesome start and Tanner (Milan) gave me a great haze,” began Grant in describing his 3.7-second run in Jasper last Wednesday night, “In Cranbrook, I knew I had to give my steer a big chance. I saw about six inches then knocked the barrier out and Baillie (Milan) gave me a great haze and the steer was really good on the ground.”

That 4.0-second run on Saturday earned the 2013 Pro Rodeo Canada High Point champion $1,319, enough to boost his 2015 steer wrestling earnings to $11,650 and put the four-time CFR qualifier unofficially in 12th spot in the new Pro Rodeo Canada bulldogging standings.

“That’s the beauty of doing the two events,” contended Grant, who won $2,246 in the roping the weekend before at the Dawson Creek, B.C., Stampede. “You always seem to do well in one of them.”

“I should also have enough won now in the steer wrestling to make the Pro Rodeo Canada Series Final (Oct. 2-3 in Calgary) but I need to win some more in the tie-down roping. You’re hoping to have the CFR made by then, but it’s a good plan ‘B.’”

Drayton Valley, AB, permit holder Joe Guze is also making a dramatic climb up the steer wrestling standings. The 2014 Wildrose Rodeo Association champion won $2,268 over the weekend with a 4.2-second run in Cranbrook to split third and a 4.1-second trip at the Pincher Creek Pro Rodeo in Pincher Creek, AB, to win third. Guze’s won $4,556 in the past two weeks.

Reigning Pro Rodeo Canada All-Around champion Ky Marshall took a big step towards qualifying for a shot at a second straight title. Marshall won his second tie-down roping cheque with an 8.4-second run in Jasper. Marshall, who’s won $18,060 in the bareback riding so far this season, hasn’t placed in the roping since April in Dawson Creek and now needs one more cheque to join Josh Harden of Big Valley, AB, in the all-around race.

Other notable money winners from the weekend included tie-down ropers Matt Shiozawa ($2,418) and Lee Rombough ($1,622); team ropers Rocky Dallyn and Kyle Smith ($1,464 each); bullriders Dakota Buttar ($2,283) and Jared Parsonage ($2,131); saddle bronc riders Wade Sundell ($2,954) and Sam Kelts ($1,969); barrel racers Nancy Csabay ($1,997) and Gaylene Buff ($1,510); bareback rider Cole Goodine ($1,348) and novice saddle bronc rider Keenan Reinhardt ($698).

Next up on the Pro Rodeo Canada schedule is Lethbridge Whoop Up Days in Lethbridge, AB (Aug. 20-22).