By Amelia Naismith and Jeffrey Heyden-Kaye
The Canadian Finals Rodeo (CFR) was a week of celebration and disappointment for Ponoka and area rodeo competitors.
Jake Vold’s earnings and performance during the CFR guaranteed his spot as the Canadian champion in bareback. He did so well over the season that the champion title was solidified before the finals were even over.
Team roper Levi Simpson and healer Ryon Tittel, from Pueblo, CO began the last day of the finals in second place. They capitalized on a no-time from the first place ropers and won the Canadian title.
Rimbey’s Dean Edge found himself first place in the go-round in tie-down roping on Sunday, Nov. 9. This was his eighth year at the CFR and he finished the season with $30,931.53 in earnings. For Edge, the go-round win was confirmation of all the work he has done over the years.
“This was my first time I’ve ever won a go-round. It’s more of a ‘Finally’ feeling,” said Edge.
“I was starting to get scared of it actually,” he added.
2012 CFR saddlebronc champion Luke Butterfield had a tough week, earning $4,390. Total earnings over the season were $20,290.41. He said the calibre of horses and competitors was top notch this year.
“It was tough bronc riding,” he said.
“You just want to stay calm and treat every ride like another rodeo. It’s a new rodeo every day,” he added. The trick is to try and be mentally tough throughout the rodeo.
Barrel racer Brook Robertson finished in sixth place overall with $12, 415 earned over the week and $30,765 over the season. This was her first time at the CFR.
A torn ACL early on in the season affected Trygve Pugh, who added to the injury on the second last day of the finals. He still managed to finish tied for fourth and fifth place over the week. Pugh earned $34,964 over the season and $14,988 in Edmonton.
Tyler Pankewitz finished off his week with a minor neck injury in bullriding. He finished the season fourth overall with $42,115.
Two no-times affected first-timer Logan Bonnett and his partner Stacy Cornet in team roping. They did not earn any winnings at the CFR. Lacombe’s Tyrel Flewelling and partner Roland McFadden, of Vulcan, earned $13,929 each over the week and placed sixth in the overall season standings with more than $26,000.
And Miss Ponoka Stampede Katy Lucas was crowned the Miss Rodeo Canada title out of five competitors.