One for the Records

Records were made to be broken, and that seemed to be the order of business at the Grande Prairie Stompede, the first rodeo stop of the Wrangler Canadian Professional Rodeo Tour.

Like a domino effect of record-breaking proportions, Rana Koopmans got the tidal wave rolling, clocking in a thunderous 14.99 seconds in the ladies barrel racing slack performance on May 26. Still, the Lethbridge, Alta. cowgirl wasn’t sure the time would hold up over the next four days.

“I didn’t know if it would last throughout the week,” she said of her time. “There were a lot of tough girls.”

But in the end, she had secured the win, with the next closest being a 15.17-second run by Calgary, Alta.’s Lauren Chad. Koopmans was thrilled to take home the first place cheque of $3,276, and gladly sees it as a major step towards the Tour Finals in Armstrong, B.C. this fall. Having that winning run break an arena record just adds to the experience.

“It’s really exciting that it’s a Tour rodeo. It’s a good boost for my overall goal to CFR (Canadian Finals Rodeo) and hopefully being able go to Armstrong at the end of the year. I love the Armstrong rodeo. I hope I can make the Tour Finals because it’s got to be one of my favourite rodeos.”

Saddle bronc rider Luke Butterfield (Ponoka, Alta.) is also well on his way to Armstrong after he broke another arena record. The cowboy wrapped up an 89-point ride aboard Outlawbuckers’ Blue Eyed Trapper for $3,429. He was excited, not only to have broken a record, but to have reached a personal best.

“That’s the highest I’ve ever been, so it’s pretty neat. I think my highest score was at Armstrong last year, an 86 or an 87. And for it to happen at a big rodeo, too,” he said, with a grin in his voice. “I don’t rodeo to break arena records, but it’s cool if you can do it.

“It was a good boost,” he added. “It helps my confidence big time.”

For two-time Canadian bareback champion Dusty LaValley, an 88-point ride atop Outlawbuckers’ Royal Trapper tied the Stompede’s current arena record, originally marked by Cimmaron Gerke (Brighton, Co.) in 2007.

“It was pretty good. The horse was quite strong. It was all I could do to stay there, and he actually threw me down right after the whistle,” recalled the Bezanson, Alta. cowboy.

According to LaValley, the record tying score is nice, but it “doesn’t really make a difference” in the big scheme of his season. “The biggest thing is it’s my hometown rodeo. It was cool to tie the record at my hometown rodeo,” he smiled.

Unofficial Weekend Winners:

EDITOR’S NOTE: These results have not been processed and are subject to change.

Grande Prairie Stompede, Grande Prairie, AB

Saddle Bronc: Luke Butterfield (Ponoka, AB), 89, $3,429; Bareback: Dusty LaValley (Bezanson, AB), 88, $2,854; Bull Riding: Ty Pozzobon (Merritt, BC), 87, $3,531; Tie-Down Roping: Jake Hannum (Ogden, UT), 7.0, $2,612; Steer Wrestling: Tyrel Miller (Wainwright, AB), 4.0, $3,058; Ladies Barrel Racing: Rana Koopmans (Lethbridge, AB), 14.99, $3,274; Team Roping: Clint Maddox (Eckville, AB) and Jeff Quam (Airdrie, AB), 6.0, $3,133; Novice Saddle Bronc: Chad Thompson (Black Diamond, AB), 74.0, $477; Novice Bareback: Cole Jamieson (Innisfail, AB), 72, $377; Steer Riding: Bryce West (Cadogan, AB), 78, $369

Bonnyville Pro Rodeo, Bonnyville, AB

Saddle Bronc: Todd Herzog (Penhold, AB), 83, $1,336; Bareback: Alan Dacyk (Worsley, AB), 82.5, $1,096; Bull Riding: Scott Schiffner (Strathmore, AB), 86, $1,368; Tie-Down Roping: Tyson Durfey (Colbert, WA), 8.2, $1,773; Steer Wrestling: Brock Butterfield (Ponoka, AB), 4.4, $2,248; Ladies Barrel Racing: Traci MacDonald (Erkskine, AB), 16.86, $1,365; Team Roping: Matt Fawcett (Stettler, AB) and Dale Skocdopole (Big Valley, AB), 5.7, $4,021; Novice Saddle Bronc: Tyler Wilson (Meadow Lake, SK), 70, $508; Novice Bareback: Cole Goodine (Carbon, AB), 68, $431

Cowtown Pro Rodeo, Maple Creek SK

Saddle Bronc: Shaun Stroh (Dickinson, ND), 85, $900; Bareback: Jake Marshall (Wardlow, AB), 84, $1,067; Bull Riding: Karson Legault (Val Marie, SK), 85, $900; Tie-Down Roping: Nate Baldwin (Blackfoot, ID), 9.5, $1,171; Steer Wrestling: Harley Cole (Cochrane, AB), 3.9, $1,372; Ladies Barrel Racing: Joleen Seitz (Savona, BC), 18.17, $915; Team Roping: Jenner Meston (Tees, AB) and Monty Gertner (Stettler, AB), 6.2, $2,328; Novice Saddle Bronc: Coleman Watt (Hardisty, AB), 69, $395; Novice Bareback: Clint Laye (Cadogan, AB), 70, $318

~ Courtesy the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association