Canadian Pro Rodeo’s all-British Columbia weekend was, as it usually is, a game-changer.
Cowboys and cowgirls made the most of the four critical stops on the CPRA calendar to mount late-season charges at those important 12 spots at the top of the season standings-board that determine berths at the Canadian Finals Rodeo—now just nine weeks away—as well as the top 15 world placings for the NFR in December.
It’s been an eventful couple of weeks ago for Ponoka bareback rider Dantan Bertsch. First, he and partner, Jenny, welcomed their first child, Brawley, into the world.
Then the CFR veteran went to work to take care of the concerning 11th place position–barely inside the 12-man cutoff for a return trip to Red Deer’s CFR slated for Nov. 1 to 5. A two-win weekend pretty much took care of that problem.
Bertsch who missed a bunch of time earlier in the season with a broken leg, suffered in June that kept him on the sidelines until August, brought the A-game to Canada’s westernmost province.
After a solid 86.5 first place effort on Macza’s 231 Black Betty at Merritt’s Nicola Valley Pro Rodeo, good for $1,583, Bertsch added a ¾ split at Armstrong for $1,784. But the capper was the 29 year-old’s brilliant 88.5 point effort on Duane Kesler Championship Rodeo’s 68 Knock Out and whopping $5,354 payoff, making it an $8,721 trip west that virtually punched his ticket to CFR 2023.
“I had a good start to the season, but I’ve had to fight hard since my return to get back to the finals,” Bertsch acknowledged. “But with this weekend I definitely feel like I’m back.”
And yet all the wins and all the money don’t hold a candle to being a first-time dad.
“He’s the highlight of the season for sure,” the six time CFR qualifier said with a grin. “Makes it hard to leave home.”
- Submitted by the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association