A three-event rodeo weekend had a large impact on both the Road to the CFR and SMS Equipment Pro Tour races as the CPRA season heats up both on the thermometer and in preparation for the dog days of summer.
Ben Anderson, the Rocky Mountain House bronc rider, enjoyed big success during last weekend’s biggest stage—the Grande Prairie Stompede as he spurred out an 89-point highlight reel on Vold’s 11 Shorty for a $3158 payout. The win extended the second-generation hand’s lead in the Canadian standings as he now sits atop that leaderboard with over $12,000 won.
The Wainwright brother combination of Dawson and Dillon Graham were up to their old tricks as they made it back-to-back wins on the SMS Pro Rodeo Tour with an electric 4.1 second run at Grande Prairie. The GP performance came on the heels of their Buffalo Lake win of a week ago giving the reigning Canadian champions the lead in the Tour standings.
The weekend also highlighted the first significant migration north for CPRA athletes who make their home on the south side of the 49th parallel. Several enjoyed big time successes on their sojourn into Alberta. 2019 World Champion tie down roper Haven Meged claimed top honours at Grande Prairie with an 8.7 second effort that netted the Montanan $3337.
Meanwhile, over at Leduc’s Black Gold Rodeo, the number two ranked tie down roper in the world standings, Hunter Herrin, bested the field with a 7.9 second run to add $2419 to his bid to win a world title. Oklahoma cowgirl Sherrylynn Johnson ended a long absence from Canada and celebrated her return with the win at Grande Prairie, posting a 15.22 run for a $4089 barrel racing triumph. And another Montana -based competitor, Cole Hould parlayed a tremendous 89-point ride on Macza Pro Rodeo’s 605 Red Lipstick into a $1708 payday.
2016 Canadian Champion bullrider and two-time NFR qualifier enjoyed one of the most productive weekends of any competitor. The Amisk talent got the win at Grande Prairie, (89.5 on Vold’s Wild Time for $3206), then cashed a second-place cheque at the Hand Hills Lake Stampede (82.5 points, $775), and finished off the weekend with a 3-5 split at Leduc (84.5, $793).
Hand Hills will be forever etched in the memory of a trio of Alberta competitors who posted their first CPRA wins: Rimbey’s Kennedy Smith with a 16.40 second run laid claim to the first-place cheque of $1529. Nanton bronc rider, Luke Shields put together a solid 82 point ride on the Calgary Stampede’s F-56 Freakey Umber for $987 and a ½ split with Nicholas Patterson. And Standoff’s Shane Daychief also split top spot in the steer wrestling (with Denver Roy) as both men were a rapid 3.7 seconds to take home $1172 each.
The Ladies Breakaway Ropers were especially speedy this weekend with all 11 Grande Prairie placings 3.4 seconds and under with Mikenna Schauer from Halkirk, AB taking top honours with a 2.6 second run for $1895.
For complete unofficial results go to rodeocanada.com.
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