It’s been a long but fun and successful rodeo season for our local cowboys and they ended it with style at the Canadian Finals Rodeo.
The CFR 2008 competitions took place at Rexall Place in Edmonton from Nov. 5 to 9 and featured bareback riding, steer wrestling, saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping, ladies barrel racing, bull riding, team roping along with musical and visual entertainment.
Local cowboys Brett Buss, Dean Edge and Luke Butterfield were among the many competitors at the CFR and made Ponoka proud.
Brett Buss, team roper, made just over $2,501 at the CFR with a season’s earnings of $18,272 making for a total earning of about $20,773.
Buss enjoyed the season and was pleased with the CFR. Along with competing he enjoyed the extra events including helping out with the kids rodeo and being around the best of the best.
“It went really well,” said Buss. “I had a lot of support financially and from family and friends. I wasn’t too nervous competing, I have roped with these guys before, so I felt pretty calm.”
Buss was also named the season leader for team roping header.
Dean Edge, a tie-down roper from Rimbey, who works at Vold, Jones and Vold Auction Mart in Ponoka, made his mark at the CFR with earnings of $12,023. Adding to the earnings he made this season of $22,558 makes for a total number of about $34,581 for the whole season.
Ponoka’s own saddle bronc rider Luke Butterfield gave his competitors a run for their money during the event and came out with $7,214. Butterfield earned $22,577 and ended the season with a total of $32,196 including aggregate dollars.
Although Butterfield started out slow at the CFR his luck began to change after he warmed up and things started to turn around.
“It was pretty good overall,” said Butterfield. “Being able to ride with all those good horses and guys was great. I’m pleased with how I did but I know I could have done better.”
This year marked the 35th anniversary of the CFR and included breakfasts, bingo and incredible rodeo performances. The season kicks up again in the spring and the next CFR is scheduled for Nov. 11 to 15, 2009.