Canadian Professional Rodeo Association

The Canadian Professional Rodeo Association (CPRA) is the governing body of professional rodeo in Canada. Its championship event is the Canadian Finals Rodeo (CFR) held every November.[1] The CPRA also tracks its champions in the List of Canadian Rodeo Champions and its hall of fame inductees in the List of Canadian Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame Inductees.

Canadian Professional Rodeo Association
SportRodeo
Founded1944
Countries Canada
Most recent
champion(s)		 Jacob Gardner, All-Around
Official websiteRodeoCanada.com

History

The Canadian Professional Rodeo Organization was founded in 1944. It started when some cowboys joined up to create the Cowboys Insurance Association when each cowboy added $1 to create an insurance fund. Rodeo management matched that amount to increase the insurance fund. A year later, in 1945, they renamed the organization the Cowboys Protective Association (CPA). Under the Societies Act, they completed the necessary actions to become an association. This enabled the organization to serve its members in a more general way. They enlisted their first president, Ken Thomson of Black Diamond. They had 160 members in the beginning. Money for fees was high and returns on wins was not. In 1965 the society incorporated under the name, Canadian Rodeo Cowboys Association, which continued until 1980. At that time, the organization finally became known under today's current name, Canadian Professional Rodeo Association (CPRA). Now the organization has over 1,000 members.[2]

Women competed in the inaugural events of the Calgary Stampede in 1912 and participated in various rodeos until 1919. But from 1923,[3] they were barred from official rodeo competitions in Canada until 1958.[4] Hoping to gain approval for barrel racing to be added to the events of the Stampede and other official rodeo events, women formed the Canadian Girls' Barrel Racing Association in 1957.[5] Two of its founding members, Isabella Hamilton (later Miller) and Viola Thomas met with the Cowboys Protective Association and were successful in convincing the board to allow women to compete from 1958,[5][6] but because of biases by management were given race times with the children and received low pay. Frances Church, 1972 Canadian barrel racing champion, noted that in the United States men and women had equal purses for like events, but Stampede manager Winston Bruce's response was that barrel racing was neither a rodeo event nor one that crowds wanted to see. Women were barred from membership in the Canadian Rodeo Cowboys Association until 1975, though the organization allowed women to purchase permits to participate in events.[7] When the Stampede went to team competition in 1979, individual barrel racing was not sanctioned and did not occur again until 1982.[3] In 1988, women were voted out of membership in the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association and the following year, barrel racing was again suspended at the Stampede.[8] Though the event was brought back in 1990,[9] it would take until 1995 for women to earn back the right to vote as members of the CPRA, have barrel racing recognized as a “major event”, and be eligible for equal pay on the Canadian professional rodeo circuit.[10][11]

As of 2013, the High River Agricultural Society is no longer affiliated with the CPRA. This means that the annual Guy Weadick Days Rodeo in June will now be associated with the CPRA through the Foothills Cowboy Association instead.[12]

On July 17, 2016, the CPRA fired their general manager, Dan Eddy. Eddy had been the general manager since February 2015. There had been some issues raised, but the business advisory council's recommendation was to retain him. However, the directors decided to terminate him. Afterwards, the advisory members resigned. Then some of the directors stepped down to protest Eddy's termination.[13][14][15]

In 2018, the CPRA named a new president to the association. On February 28, 2018, Terry Cooke became the new president, and he took on his new duties forthwith. Also, per the CPRA, he was elected by acclamation.[16] On October 19, 2016, the CPRA and Edmonton Northlands announced a partnership. The effect is that the CFR will continue to take place at the Northlands Coliseum, its historic home of 43 years.[17]

On May 16, 2018, the CPRA announced a new partnership with the Finning Canada. Finning Canada became the title sponsor of Canada Rodeo Canada, so they are now known as the Finning Canada Pro Rodeo Tour. Finning happens to be the largest dealer for Caterpillar Inc.[18] On June 12, 2018, the CPRA announced an ongoing yearly partnership with FloSports. This agreement states that in future all of the events and finals of the Finning Canada Pro Rodeo Tour, the Grass Roots Final, and the CFR will be aired exclusively on FloRodeo.com.[19]

Organization

Pro Rodeo Canada is home to the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association and is headquartered in Airdrie, Alberta. Pro Rodeo Canada sanctions professional rodeo in Canada. For example, Pro Rodeo Canada sanctioned 55 rodeos in 2016. The total payout was $5.3 million. The organization's primary concerns are legitimacy of the rodeo competition and welfare of the livestock. Pro Rodeo Canada also works with the American sanctioning organization, Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. Obviously, rodeo participants are the highest in the forefront of any organization, but Pro Rodeo Canada also consists of all of the other usual rodeo personnel, such as stock contractors, judges, announcers, bull fighters, and others. Last years and all previous years the CFR was held at the Northlands Coliseum in Edmonton, Alberta. This year the 45th Annual Canadian Finals Rodeo (CFR) will be held at the ENMAX Centrium, Westerner Park, in Red Deer, Alberta. The ability to secure this arena demonstrates that the rodeo still has a strong fan base and high growth rate.[20] The CFR had to move when it was announced that the city of Edmonton was going to close the Northlands Coliseum down.[21] Previously, the finals were held at the Northlands Coliseum in Edmonton, Alberta, for its entire 44-year history.[22] After announcing a new venue for the year 2018, the Canadian Finals Rodeo takes place in Red Deer, Alberta, on October 30 through November 4.[23]

The CFR is the ultimate event of the tour. Throughout Canada, it is considered the top national championship of professional rodeo, and starting in 2018, it will be held annually in Red Deer, Alberta. The CFR's top award amount is one of the largest in Canadian rodeo, totaling $1.65 million. The top 12 competitors from the sanctioned events are selected for the CFR each year. The CFR runs for six days each season. FloRodeo will, beginning in 2018, capture top athletes competing in those six rounds of the 7 events. FloRodeo will also capture the 7 event champions, a high-point, and an all-around cowboy champion. “We’re excited about broadening our reach through our new partnership with FloSports,” said Canadian Professional Rodeo Association General Manager Jeff Robson. “The opportunity to live stream the Finning Canada Pro Tour rodeos and both our finals – the Grass Roots Final and the Canadian Finals Rodeo – will provide welcome exposure for our sport and expand access for our fans."[24] Annually, the rodeo features one of the nation's largest prize purses—$1.65 million—and accepts the top 12 money-earners from the CPRA rodeo season. Over six days, FloRodeo will capture some of rodeo's top athletes competing through six rounds to determine each of the seven event winners, a high-point, and an all-around champion.

In 2017 and now in 2018, it was announced that the Canadian Champions will receive an exemption to the RFD-TV's The American Rodeo Semi-Finals.[25]

There are many rodeo associations sanctioning rodeos in a particular city or area in Canada that operate under the precepts of the CPRA. One such rodeo association is the British Columbia Rodeo Association.[26]

Events
  • Bronc Riding - there are two divisions in rodeo, Bareback Bronc Riding, where the rider is only allowed to hang onto a bucking horse with a type of surcingle called a "rigging"; and Saddle Bronc Riding, where the rider uses a specialized western saddle without a horn (for safety) and hangs onto a heavy lead rope, called a bronc rein, which is attached to a halter on the horse.
  • Tie-Down Roping - also called calf roping, is based on ranch work in which calves are roped for branding, medical treatment, or other purposes. It is the oldest of rodeo's timed events.[27] The cowboy ropes a running calf around the neck with a lariat, and his horse stops and sets back on the rope while the cowboy dismounts, runs to the calf, throws it to the ground and ties three feet together. (If the calf falls when roped, the cowboy must lose time waiting for the calf to get back to its feet so that the cowboy can do the work.) The job of the horse is to hold the calf steady on the rope. A well-trained calf-roping horse will slowly back up while the cowboy ties the calf, to help keep the lariat snug.
  • Ladies Barrel Racing - is a timed speed and agility event. In barrel racing, horse and rider gallop around a cloverleaf pattern of barrels, making agile turns without knocking the barrels over.[28] In professional, collegiate and high school rodeo, barrel racing is an exclusively women's sport, though men and boys occasionally compete at local O-Mok-See competition.
  • Steer Wrestling - Also known as "Bulldogging," is a rodeo event where the rider jumps off his horse onto a Corriente steer and 'wrestles' it to the ground by grabbing it by the horns. This is probably the single most physically dangerous event in rodeo for the cowboy, who runs a high risk of jumping off a running horse head first and missing the steer, or of having the thrown steer land on top of him, sometimes horns first.
  • Team Roping - also called "heading and heeling," is the only rodeo event where men and women riders compete together. Two people capture and restrain a full-grown steer. One horse and rider, the "header," lassos a running steer's horns, while the other horse and rider, the "heeler," lassos the steer's two hind legs. Once the animal is captured, the riders face each other and lightly pull the steer between them, so that both ropes are taut. This technique originated from methods of capture and restraint for treatment used on a ranch.
  • Bull Riding - an event where the cowboys ride full-grown bulls instead of horses. Although skills and equipment similar to those needed for bareback bronc riding are required, the event differs considerably from horse riding competition due to the danger involved. Because bulls are unpredictable and may attack a fallen rider, rodeo clowns, now known as "bullfighters", work during bull-riding competition to distract the bulls and help prevent injury to competitors.
  • Steer Riding - a rough stock event for boys and girls where children ride steers, usually in a manner similar to bulls. Ages vary by region, as there is no national rule set for this event, but generally participants are at least eight years old and compete through about age 14. It is a training event for bronc riding and bull riding.
  • All-Around - The All-Around is actually an award, not an event. It is awarded to the highest money winner in two or more events.

Champions and awards

A full list of past champions from 1945 to 2019 is located here List of Canadian Rodeo Champions. And there is also a List of Canadian Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame inductees.

2019 Champions
2019 Canadian Champions
Event Champion
All-Around Champion Jacob Gardner
Bareback Bronc Riding Orin Larsen
Saddle Bronc Riding Zeke Thurston
Team Roping (header) Matt Sherwood
Team Roping (heeler) Hunter Koch
Tie-Down Roping Shane Hanchey
Ladies Barrel Riding Brooke Wills
Bull Riding Edgar Durazo
Steer Wrestling Scott Guenthner
High Point Riley Warren
Novice Bareback Bronc Riding Chett Deitz
Novice Saddle Bronc Riding Lachlan Sheppard
Steer Riding Tristen Manning

[29]

2019 Stock of the Year
Event Horse Rodeo Company
Bareback Bronc of the Year 118 Stevie Knicks Northcott-Macza
Saddle Bronc of the Year 242 Get Smart Northcott-Macza
Bucking Bull of the Year 222 Blackstone Afterparty Outlaw Buckers Rodeo Corp

[30]

2019 Stock of the CFR
Award Type Horse Rodeo Company
Bareback Horse of the Year 253 Sundance Kid Kesler Championship Rodeo
Saddle Bronc Horse of the Year 242 Get Smart Northcott/Macza
Bucking Bull of the Year 222 Blackstone After Party Outlaw Buckers Rodeo Corp

[29]

2019 Timed Event Horses
Award Type Horse Rodeo Company
Tie-Down Roping Horse TJ Logan Bird
Steer Wrestling Horse Tyson Curtis Cassidy
Team Roping Horse of the Year (heading) Tieto Logan Bonnett
Team Roping Horse of the Year (heeling) Cruz Keely Bonnett
Barrel Racing Horse with the Most Heart Blondys Starlight (Blondy) Justine Elliot

[29]

2018 Champions
2018 Canadian Champions
Event Champion
All-Around Champion Jacob Gardner
Bareback Bronc Riding Richmond Champion
Saddle Bronc Riding Clay Elliot
Team Roping (header) Levi Simpson
Team Roping (heeler) Jeremy Buhler
Tie-Down Roping Shane Hanchey
Ladies Barrel Riding Callahan Crossley
Bull Riding Wacey Finkbeiner
Steer Wrestling Scott Guenthner
All-Around Cowboy Jacob Gardner
High Point Riley Warren
Novice Bareback Bronc Riding Mason Helmeszi
Novice Saddle Bronc Riding Cooper Thatcher
Steer Riding Tristen Manning

Source:[31]

2018 Stock of the Year
Event Horse Rodeo Company
Bareback Bronc of the Year Virgil C5 Rodeo
Saddle Bronc of the Year S-66 Stampede Warrior Calgary Stampede
Bucking Bull of the Year 201 Night Moves Calgary Stampede

Source:[32]

2018 Stock of the CFR
Award Type Horse Rodeo Company
Bareback Horse of the Year Virgil C5 Rodeo
Saddle Bronc Horse of the Year Get Smart Northcott/Macza
Bucking Bull of the Year Wicked Dreams Vold Rodeo

Source:[31]

2018 Timed Event Horses
Award Type Horse Rodeo Company
Tie-Down Roping Horse Stick Curtis Cassidy
Steer Wrestling Horse Tyson Curtis Cassidy
Team Roping Horse of the Year (heading) Cactus Tuftin McLeod
Team Roping Horse of the Year (heeling) Harry Tristan Woolsey
Barrel Racing Horse with the Most Heart Ripn Lady Carman Pozzobon

2017 Champions

Source:[33]

2017 Canadian Champions
Event Champion
Bareback Bronc Riding Seth Hardwick
Saddle Bronc Riding Layton Green
Steer Wrestling Jason Thomas
Tie-Down Roping Logan Bird
Ladies Barrel Riding Carman Pozzobon
Team Roping (header) Levi Simpson
Team Roping (heeler) Jeremy Buhler
Bull Riding Garrett Smith
All-Around Cowboy Ky Marshall
High Point Morgan Grant
Novice Bareback Bronc Riding Connor Hamilton
Novice Saddle Bronc Riding Dawson Hay
Steer Riding Luke Ferber

Source:[34]

2017 Stock of the Year
Event Horse Rodeo Company
Bareback Bronc of the Year Virgil C5 Rodeo
Saddle Bronc of the Year Get Smart Northcutt-Macza
Bucking Bull of the Year 101 Johnny Ringo Vold Rodeo Company

Source:[35]

2017 Stock of the CFR
Award Type Horse Rodeo Company
Bareback Horse of the Year Virgil C5 Rodeo
Saddle Bronc Horse of the Year Wild Cherry Calgary Stampede
Bucking Bull of the Year VJV Nailed Vold Rodeo

Source:[36]

2017 Timed Event Horses
Award Type Horse Rodeo Company
Tie-Down Roping Horse Clyde Erik Dublanko
Steer Wrestling Horse Smoke Dustin Walker
Team Roping Horse of the Year (heading) Wrangler Roland McFadden
Team Roping Horse of the Year (heeling) Rick James Jeremy Buhler
Barrel Racing Horse with the Most Heart Ripp Carman Pozzobon

Source:[37]

2016 Champions
2016 Canadian Champions
Event Champion Residence
High Point Champion Morgan Grant Disbury, Alberta
All Around Champion Luke Butterfield Ponoka, Alberta
Bareback Bronc Riding Jake Vold Ponoka, Alberta
Ladies Barrel Racing Nancy Csabay Taber, Alberta
Saddle Bronc Riding Clay Elliott Nanton, Alberta
Steer Wrestling Cody Cassidy Donalda, Alberta
Bull Riding Jordan Hansen Okotoks, Alberta
Tie-Down Roping Matt Shiozawa Chubbock Idaho
Team Roping Header Dustin Bird Cutbank, Montana
Team Roping Heeler Russell Cardoza Terrebonne, Oregon
Novice Bareback Riding Tanner Young Ponoka, Alberta
Novice Saddle Bronc Riding Kolby Wanchuk Sherwood Park, Alberta
Steer Riding Dixon Tattrie Youngstown, Alberta

Source:[38]

2016 Grass Roots Series Final Champions
Event Champion
Saddle Bronc Riding Lane Cust
Bareback Bronc Riding Michael Solberg
Bull Riding Brock Radford
Tie-Down Roping Alwin Bouchard
Steer Wrestling Straws Milan
Ladies Barrel Racing Nancy Csabay
Team Roping Header Brett Buss
Team Roping Heeler Klay Whyte

Source:[39]

2016 Stock of the Year
Award Type Horse Rodeo Company
Bareback Horse of the Year 717 Must Have Kesler Rodeo Company
Bucking Bull of the Year 127 Cooper's Comet Vold Rodeo Company, Ltd.
Saddle Bronc Horse of the Year 242 Get Smart Northcutt-Macza Rodeo

Source:[40]

2016 Stock of the CFR
Award Type Horse Rodeo Company
Bareback Horse of the Year Virgil C5 Rodeo
Saddle Bronc Horse of the Year Wild Cherry Calgary Stampede
Bucking Bull of the Year VJV Nailed Vold Rodeo

Source:[41]

2016 Timed Event Horses
Award Type Horse Rodeo Company
Tie-Down Roping Horse TJ Logan Bird
Steer Wrestling Horse Tank Dustin Walker
Team Roping Horse of the Year (heading) Badger Kolton Schmidt
Team Roping Horse of the Year (heeling) Rick James Jeremy Buhler
Barrel Racing Horse with the Most Heart Racey Kirsty White

Source:[42]

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See also

References
  1. "Pro Rodeo Canada". Canadian Professional Rodeo Association. www.rodeocanada.com. Retrieved April 1, 2018.
  2. 2017 Pro Rodeo Canada Media Guide, History of the CPRA, p. 4.
  3. Priegert, Portia (July 10, 1982). "Cowgirls Made History". The Calgary Herald. Calgary, Alberta. p. G1. Retrieved May 17, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. Kossowan, Brenda (August 31, 1998). "Even Cowgirls Get Their Dues". Red Deer Advocate. Red Deer, Alberta. pp. A1, A2. Retrieved May 17, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. Primrose, Tommy (November 29, 1958). "Agricultural Alberta". The Calgary Herald. Calgary, Alberta. p. 46. Retrieved May 17, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. "Girls Barrel Racing". The Calgary Herald. Calgary, Alberta. November 7, 1958. p. 25. Retrieved May 17, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. Klassen, Kris (July 12, 1975). "Stampede Accused of Bias, No Limelight for Women". The Calgary Herald. Calgary, Alberta. p. 22. Retrieved May 17, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. Abraham, Doug (February 15, 1989). "Stampede's Folks Seem To Have Cowgirls over Barrel". The Calgary Herald. Calgary, Alberta. p. 11. Retrieved May 17, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. Abraham, Doug (March 25, 1990). "Changing of the Champs". The Calgary Herald. Calgary, Alberta. p. F6. Retrieved May 17, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. Masterman, Bruce (June 25, 1996). "Barrel Racing Hits Stampede Big Time". The Calgary Herald. Calgary, Alberta. p. C1. Retrieved May 17, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. "Barrel Racers Still Glow from Financial Benefit". The Calgary Herald. Calgary, Alberta. November 9, 1996. p. 10. Retrieved May 17, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. "High River bucks off Canadian Professional Rodeo Association - Okotoks Western Wheel". Okotoks Western Wheel. March 13, 2013. Retrieved October 13, 2018.
  13. "Dan Barnes: GM fired, directors resign, Canadian Professional Rodeo Association in turmoil". Edmonton Journal. July 28, 2016. Retrieved October 12, 2018.
  14. "Connecting People Through News". www.pressreader.com. Retrieved November 29, 2018.
  15. "Dan Barnes: GM fired, directors resign, Canadian Professional Rodeo Association in turmoil". Edmonton Journal. July 28, 2016. Retrieved November 29, 2018.
  16. "CPRA Welcomes New President". Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. www.prorodeo.com. Retrieved October 13, 2018.
  17. "Canadian Professional Rodeo Association and Edmonton Northlands Launch New Partnership". Wrangler Network. Retrieved October 12, 2018.
  18. "Finning Canada Partners With the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association". Wrangler Network. Retrieved October 13, 2018.
  19. "FloSports Announces Multiyear Partnership with Canadian Professional Rodeo Association - FloSports". FloSports. June 12, 2018. Retrieved October 13, 2018.
  20. 2017 Pro Rodeo Canada Media Guide, Introduction, p. 2.
  21. "Red Deer, Alta., saddles up as new home of annual Canadian Finals Rodeo event". National Post. Retrieved July 12, 2020.
  22. "Red Deer named 2018 host city of Canadian Finals Rodeo". Global News. January 16, 2018. Retrieved October 12, 2018.
  23. "Rodeo Event - FloRodeo". 2018 Canadian Finals Rodeo. www.florodeo.com. Retrieved October 12, 2018.
  24. "FloSports Announces Multiyear Partnership with Canadian Professional Rodeo Association - FloSports". FloSports. June 12, 2018. Retrieved October 13, 2018.
  25. "Champions Receive Exemption to RFD-TV's THE AMERICAN Semi-Finals | The Cowboy Channel". Canadian Professional Rodeo Association. www.thecowboychannel.com. Retrieved October 13, 2018.
  26. "Welcome to the BC Rodeo Association Website". British Columbia Rodeo Association. Retrieved October 13, 2018.
  27. Curnutt 2001, pp. 268–269.
  28. Broyles 2006, p. 4.
  29. "Rodeo Canada - Official Home of the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association". Canadian Professional Rodeo Association. Retrieved January 18, 2020.
  30. "Rodeo Canada - Official Home of the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association". Canada Professional Rodeo Association.
  31. "2018 Champions". Rodeo Canada - Official Home of the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association. www.rodeocanada.com. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
  32. "2018 CPRA Award Winners Announced". Wrangler Network. September 21, 2018. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
  33. 2017 Pro Rodeo Canada Media Guide, Timed Event Horses, p. 123.
  34. "2017 Champions". Canadian Professional Rodeo Association. www.rodeocanada.com. Retrieved October 12, 2018.
  35. 2018 Pro Rodeo Canada Media Guide, CFR Top Stock Awards, pp. 96-99.
  36. 2018 Pro Rodeo Canada Media Guide, CFR Top Stock Awards, p. 100.
  37. 2017 Pro Rodeo Canada Media Guide, Timed Event Horses, p. 123.
  38. 2017 Pro Rodeo Canada Media Guide, Canadian Champions, p. 25.
  39. 2017 Pro Rodeo Canada Media Guide, Grass Roots Champions, p. 17.
  40. 2017 Pro Rodeo Canada Media Guide, Bucking Stock of the Year, p. 99.
  41. 2017 Pro Rodeo Canada Media Guide, Timed Event Horses, pp. 120-125.
  42. 2017 Pro Rodeo Canada Media Guide, Timed Event Horses, p. 123.

Sources

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