The 2024 CPRA calendar year officially took flight on March 22 and 23 at West of the 5th Pro Rodeo in Rimbey, where a portion of the event proceeds were donated to STARS.
And for veteran timed event hand, Riley Warren, it was a nice start to what he hopes will be a bounce back year after a disappointing 2023 campaign.
The holder of four Canadian titles (three High Point and the 2021 Tie-Down Roping championship), Warren teamed up with header Nick Teixeira for a 4.5 second, $1567 win in the team roping and followed that up with a third place $1071 cheque (behind winner Kirk Robinson) in the tie-down event.
It was exactly the start to the season the Sundre cowboy was looking for.
“It’s been a long time coming since I had a win in the team roping,” the veteran cowboy chuckled, “like two years.”
It was a first time rodeo get together for the pair, with Teixeira recently taking up residence in the Mossleigh area from his home province of British Columbia.
“Nick ropes good; I don’t really know yet what my (partner) plans are for this year. But it was a nice win either way.”
One thing Warren is very certain about is his goal for the 2024 season.
“I’d like to get back to the CFR in both events, that’s number one and obviously season leader is nice to get if a guy can have some big hits through the summer. And, of course, winning Canada is always on your mind.”
Like the man in the saddle, both horses Warren rode — Jag for his heeling horse and Mona in the tie down roping — are veterans. The sharp-eyed horseman scooped up Jag at a horse sale in 2017 and was heeling on him in a matter of weeks while Mona is an 18-year-old mare that has carried the talented horseman to a number of CFRs.
Other highlights at Rimbey:
- Nicholas Patterson took top honours in the bronc riding with an 87 score ($789) on Duffy Rodeo’s Bay Moon (Dyllan Duperron won second on the same horse).
- Bareback rider Jacob Stemo making a successful return to competition after a yearlong hiatus—his 80.5 was good for second behind event winner Chee Deitz.
- Rookie bull rider Grady Young enjoyed his first pro win, an 84 point effort on Duffy’s Smooth Off for $789 (plus $1185 in ground money as the second general Jon talent was the only guy to make the eight second horn).
- Kirk Robinson, 9.0 seconds for the tie-down win and $1,635.60.
- Chelsea Moore’s 14.84 barrel racing run prevailed for $1,046.
- Ryan Shuckburgh topped the steer wrestling field with a 4.0 for $1,324.
Meanwhile a little further south, several CPRA affiliated competitors had profitable sojourns to various PRCA rodeos.
Dawson Hay was on his game once again as he collected $5,170 at Austin, TX courtesy of a third place 86.5 point ride in the finals.
Young bronc rider Cache Shellenburg also picked up a third-place cheque ($1,323), this one for his 79 point ride at Cave Creek, Arizona and at the other end of the arena Makayla Boisjoli’s 2.6 second breakaway roping run netted her $1,703.
A couple of Canadians cashed at Waxahachie, Texas – tie down roper Kyle Lucas was second with an 8.5 second run to pick up $1,866 while Strawbs Jones’ big time 87 point effort earned him $1,330. And at the Wanord City, North Dakota Extreme Bares and Broncs, Logan Hay rode to 84 points and $1,451.
Next up for CPRA action is Medicine Hat’s Broncs and Honky Tonks Spring Rodeo April 19-21 and the Spring Break-Up Rodeo in Dawson Creek, B.C., April 19-20.
For complete unofficial results and a schedule of other 2024 events, head over to rodeocanada.com.