Aubrey Ross CFR 2023

The number one Breakaway Roper in the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association, headed to her first Canadian Finals Rodeo, is Aubrey Ross. This year she placed at 18 of 43 rodeos she competed at, and brought home $21,109.38.

What is your background with horses? How did you get started roping?
I was born into a family that ropes and rides everyday. My dad and brothers are good roping coaches.

What is your main mounts reg name, bloodlines and does he/she have any quirks?
I rode two horses at the rodeos this year.  Starbucks ( Prescribe A Cisco) is who I rode earlier on in the year. He is a horse we bought at the Agribition horse sale when I was a little girl, he has been so good in every event for my whole family. I rode my other horse Valentino at Morris and then for most of the rest of the rodeos. I felt Starbucks could use a break because Denim heels in him too and we had both been riding him at all the rodeos. Valentino wasn’t very seasoned so it was a bit of a struggle with scoring properly on him, but he has definitely got better.

What is your horses story?
Like I said Starbucks came from Agribition, and he has been a blessing to my family. Dad and Denim heel on him , Randon and Denim calf rope on him, we head on him, pole bend and barrel race, now he has done so much for me in the breakaway pen. Every person in my family has competed on him.

We bought Valentino from Connie Cassidy a few years ago because my dad has a really good eye for a horse and he knew he would make a breakaway horse. Other than he bucked me off on the road this spring, it’s been going pretty good seasoning him.

What is your go to saddle, pad and bit on your main mount? What do you like about them?
I use a CSI pad and I am riding in a Masters saddle right now. As far as bits, I usually use a chain port. I love leather reins and nice head stalls. I am more interested in nice tack than I probably should be. I like to shop for tack more than anything else!

What does it mean to you to be the 2023 Season Leader?
I feel pretty happy with season leader roping with these girls. I have such a good team behind me, it makes it easier.

What do you attribute your great success to? 
My family has taken the time to ride with me and rope with me since I was little. I have always been around high calibre ropers that are not afraid to criticize me. I do believe that is what has helped me. 

What do you do to keep a sharp mental edge in the game of rodeo? How do you stay motivated throughout the season?
I think when you rope lots , practicing and jackpotting, it’s easy to stay mentally tough. We are timed event contractors so there is no shortage of cattle to rope at my house, we rope everyday. 

Did you face any challenges this season? Tell us about them.
I struggled a little at the end of the year with breaking some barriers and missing some. Other than that, I had a pretty good summer.

Tell the readers something good that happened to you this season, other than placing at, or winning a rodeo.
I realized this year, just how many people support me at the rodeos, that was a great feeling. 

What is the best advice you’d give to readers, about horses, competing or life?
Have a fast, good horse that has a good mind set.

What has been your most memorable run over the years, and what made it memorable for you?
We were at the National High School finals in Gillette for the week, Denim and I made the short go, by the time we were done and went to the awards ceremony it was midnight when we pulled out of there. Mom drove all night to get Denim and Kavis, and I to Morris, we pulled in half hour before the rodeo started. I won the rodeo on Valentino, and Kavis and Denim won 2nd in the team roping. That was my highlight this summer.

Who is your travelling partner, and what do you enjoy most about travelling with them?
I travelled with my mom, Denim , Brett and Kavis this summer. Mom drives everywhere, Brett reads google maps, Denim talks, and Kavis helps with chores.

Which of the other CFR Qualifiers horses would you swing a leg over if given the chance and why?
If I had the chance I would pick Bradi Whiteside’s horse, he scores good, runs hard and stops hard.

What products can you or your horse not live without on the road?
We are pretty basic, feed hay, water, a little grain, and use Zesterra. 

Every time I ride in the box, Denim, Brett and Kavis are there to help, mom drives me everywhere and at home dad is the best coach there is. I have 2 older brothers that have always pushed me to do better. My grandma Elaine works the chute all winter long in the cold for me to practice. Both my parents rodeoed for years and I feel like the rodeo world has always been there for me, I love the life I am living.