50 Years of CFR Legends
Celebrating 50 years of CFR Legends.
As we get set to host the 50th edition of the Canadian Finals Rodeo and celebrate its return to Edmonton, we have gathered some of the most respected athletes to set foot in the CFR arena. With the help of the Canadian Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame, the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association, Vignettes, and Little Bear Goods, we have brought the project to life and created custom banners celebrating 50 champions from the 50 year history of the Canadian Finals Rodeo.
Thank you to the Canadian Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame for the excerpts of the bios below. To read more, visit The Canadian Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame website.
These banners were found around Edmonton at City Centre, EXPO Centre, ATB Head Office, and City Hall.
After the event, please email lipstickandcowboyboots@gmail.com to notify if you would like to collect the banner for family members. We will be in contact at the end of October.
1974-1984
Dale Johansen
Dale’s career highlights include winning the Calgary Stampede’s bull riding in 1982, qualifying for the NFR In 1983, 1984, 1986 & 1987. He was the back-to-back Canadian Champion Bull Rider in 1983 and 1984.
Dale Trottier
For thirteen years, from 1968 to 1980, Trapper was never less than fourth in the Canadian standings. He holds the record for bareback championships in Canada: seven times, including most consecutive, from 1969 to 1974 and again in 1978.
He qualified for the Canadian Finals Rodeo eight times beginning in 1974 to 1981.
Elaine Watt
Elaine won her first Canadian Barrel Racing Championship in 1978, her second in 1979 and her third in 1982. A positive attitude and never showing defeat was the rule Elaine lived by throughout her rodeo career.
Greg Butterfield
Greg qualified for nine CFR’s in the Steer Wrestling and one time in the Bareback Riding event. He was a three time Canadian Steer Wrestling Champion in 1977, 1979 & 1980. Greg served on the CPRA Board of Directors as a contestant and committee man.
Jerri Duce
Her first Canadian Championship in the Barrel Racing Event was at the tender age of twelve. She went on to win the women's event a total of nine times, on three different horses. She was the first Canadian to qualify for the NFR in 1973 & qualified in 1976 and 77.
Jim Gladstone
Jim was among the top three in the nation’s professional rankings every year from 1962 through 1966, before capturing his first Canadian Calf Roping title in 1969. He went on to win two more Canadian Championships in 1971 and 1973, and was runner-up to the title in 1952, ‘75 and ’76. Jim qualified for the Canadian Finals Rodeo seven times, from the first one held in 1974 through to 1980, and competed at four National Finals Rodeos: 1972, ‘73, ‘77 and’78.
Mel Coleman
He qualified for the CFR 20 times in Saddle Bronc, from 1974 to 1992, and again in 1995. Those 19 consecutive years of qualification are a record, and so are the 20 years total. He's been to the NFR 16 times, which is yet another record.
He was the Canadian Saddle Bronc champion seven times: in 1974, 1975, 1977, 1978, 1983, 1986, and 1989. He was the All-Around champion five times. In 1978, Mel set an arena record by scoring 91 on Kesler Rodeo's Knott Inn.
Mel Hyland
Mel’s outstanding achievements include winning the Novice Saddle Bronc championship in 1966, the Canadian saddle bronc championship in 1967, 1972, 1979 and 1982 and he was the Canadian bareback champion in 1975. In 1972, Mel was the world champion saddle bronc rider and split the title again in 1976 with Monty Henson.
Steve Dunham
He went to the CFR eighteen times and was Canadian Bareback champion five times. He won the Canadian All-Around title twice and in 1990 was a Triple Crown winner; winning the Bareback, All-Around and High Point titles. That distinction has yet to be achieved by another cowboy. Steve was equally impressive south of the border. He qualified for the National Finals nine times. In 1985, he went into the National Finals in second spot, and finished fifth in the world.
Tom Eirikson
Tom took out his pro card in 1977. He made it to seven CFRs in three events and between 1980 and 1987 was a four time Canadian All Around champion and a three time winner of the coveted Linderman Award for top earnings in three events. working both ends of the arena.
1984-1994
Dee Butterfield
Dee qualified for the first CFR, in 1974. The next year she moved to Alberta and qualified for the NFR. In the 80's, Dee married Craig Butterfield and Ponoka became her home. Craig and Dee soon started to focus on their horse breeding program, looking to produce great barrel horses.
In 1992 Dee Butterfield was crowned Canadian Champion Barrel Racer. 1994 would be Dee's 11th and final year as a CFR contestant. During those 11 finals, she had qualified on 5 different horses.
Duane Daines
Duane had a 17 year professional career which culminated with 3 All-Around Championships, a Canadian Saddle Bronc title and almost $700,000 in career winnings.
Duane qualified for nine NFR's and 13 Canadian Finals, and was the first Canadian saddle bronc rider to win the $50,000 showdown at the Calgary Stampede in 1990
Greg Cassidy
Greg qualified for the CFR 10 times in the Tie-Down Roping and 13 times in the Steer Wrestling. Over the years he won 6 Canadian championships. These included the Steer Wrestling titles in 1985, 1987, 1988 and 2000. He won the Hi Point title in 1987 and 1988.
Greg Schlosser
Three-Time Canadian bull riding champion Greg Schlosser qualified for an impressive eight Canadian finals over the years, one of the longest successful careers in an event that traditionally offers only a short time in the limelight. He took out his permit in 1980 and it only took him a year to go to the top and win the Canadian bull riding championship in 1981. Schlosser was one of six cowboys in the world, and the only Canadian to ever ride the infamous bull, Bodacious.
Joe Lucas
Joe is a four time Canadian Tie-Down Roping Champion, a 22 time qualifier to the CFR and a 9 time qualifier to NFR.
Among his other accomplishments, Joe has been a Calgary Stampede Champion, and a Pendleton Champion.
Larry Robinson
Larry Robinson qualified for the Canadian Finals eighteen times and the National finals seven times.
He won six Canadian tie-down roping titles over the course of his career (1981, 82 ,84,85, 1992 and 93) and finished second in 1983 and 86.In 1986, Robinson was the Calgary Stampede’s $50,000 bonus winner.
He made the NFR seven times (1977, 79, 1981,82 and 1984,85,86), winning more money than any other contestant in 1984, finishing third in the world standings
Lee Laskosky
Lee competed extensively for 15 years, winning the Canadian Steer Wrestling Championship in 1984 and 1986. In 1986 he won the $50,000 at the Calgary Stampede. He also was a Tie-Down Roper which put him in contention for the High Point Award. Four times he qualified for the Steer Wrestling at the National Finals Rodeo.
In 1993 he went into the NFR as the season leader of the world.
Robin Burwash
In 1981 Robin made his first of 14 CFR appearances, and went on to score on every horse in those 14 years. In 1983 he won his first Canadian title, and followed that up with more wins in 1984, 1987 and 1989. 1983 also marked the first of 11 trips to the NFR.
1988 was the most memorable for Robin, when he won Canada's only individual gold medal in rodeo at the Olympics against the U.S.
1989 was a banner year for Robin. He won the Calgary Stampede $50,000, he was season leader in Canada, and finished second in the world at the NFR.
Rod Hay
Rod Hay is an 8-time Canadian Saddle Bronc Champion, holding the record for the most championships by a Bronc rider in Canada. His skill and style in the arena are unmatched, making him a true icon of the sport. He has also claimed the Calgary Stampede saddle bronc title four times, showcasing his prowess at one of the world's most prestigious rodeo events..
A consistent competitor at the highest level, Rod has qualified for the National Finals Rodeo 20 times, a remarkable achievement highlighting his long-standing excellence and resilience in competitive rodeo.
Ruth McDougall
Starting in 1983, the year ladies barrel racing joined the CPRA, Ruth placed in the top two at the CFR for eight consecutive years. Five of those years saw her win the championship title and an unprecedented three in a row from 1987 to 1989.
She was equally successful competing at the NFR in Las Vegas, Nev. She was the ladies barrel racing champion at the Calgary Stampede in 1986.
1994-2004
Bill Boyd
As a professional bareback rider, he had an astounding 22 consecutive qualifications for the CFR and also qualified for the NFR 5 times. He won the Canadian title in Bareback riding in 1992, 1994 and 2001. Bill was named Cowboy of the Year in 2003.
Carol Barr
Carol is a two-time Canadian Professional Rodeo Barrel Racing Champion, National Finals Rodeo Qualifier, Futurity and Derby Champion. Barrel Racing Horse Trainer.
Davey Shields
Dave went on to qualify for the CFR 11 times in the Bareback event, and turned in many a great ride. His riding skills were never in question, and although Dave never won a championship he was always in there as a contender for one all of his 17 years of competition.
Debbie Guelly
Debbie is a five-time Canadian Champion Barrel Racer,
the 2004 Calgary Stampede Champion, and has qualified for the National Finals Rodeo an impressive six times.
Denny Hay
A three-time Canadian Champion Saddle Bronc Rider (1995, 1996 and 1998), Denny Hay qualified for the Canadian Finals Rodeo (CFR) on 15 separate occasions accompanied by four appearances at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR) in Las Vegas.
Depending on who’s asked, all of that may not compare to the Olympic Gold Medal Denny won at the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City, UT.
Lee Graves
Lee won the World Champion Steer Wrestler title in both 2005 and 2007, won two aggregate titles, and qualified to the NFR ten times. He’s also a five-time Canadian Champion.
Raylee Edwards
Raylee is the 2003 Ladies Barrel Racing Champion. She qualified to the Canadian Finals Rodeo, eleven times in her career. She was the youngest ever CFR Qualifier, and competed for Team Canada in the 1988 Olympics.
Rob Bell
Rob went on to win 3 Canadian Bull Riding Championships in 1999, 2000, & 2004. He has qualified for the NFR 3 times in 1999, 2000, & 2001. And he qualified twice for the PBR World Finals earning the Glen Keeley award in 2003 & 2004 which is given to the top ranked Canadian Bull Rider.
In 2002, Rob had the honor to represent Canada at the Olympic Rodeo in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Rocky Dallyn
Rocky is a four-time Canadian champion who has earned 17 CFR qualifications over his career.
Rod Warren
Rod Warren captured his first Canadian All Around Championship in 1994, and qualified for NFR that same year. It would be the first of nine appearances in Vegas for Rod, who won the Aggregate Award four times at NFR.
Rod won the Canadian All Around Championship nine times (six times in consecutive years); the Hi Point Championship three times, and the Canadian Saddle Bronc Champion in 2001 and 2005.
2004-2014
Cody Cassidy
Cody Cassidy won five Canadian Steer Wrestling titles between 2008 and 2016. In 2010 he qualified for the National Finals Rodeo, in Las Vegas.
Curtis Cassidy
Curtis is a twelve-time Canadian Champion Steer Wrestler, eight-time NFR Qualifications, and has 37 CFR Qualifications in multiple events.
Dustin Flundra
Flundra won the Canadian Saddle Bronc Riding Champion title in 2003, 2007 and 2010. In 2014 he was the Calgary Stampede Champion. That year, along with in 2009 and 2010, he qualified for the National Finals Rodeo.
Dusty LaValley
Dusty LaValley won the Canadian Bareback Riding Championship title in 2006, 2007, 2010, and 2011.
Kyle Bowers
Kyle won the Canadian Bareback Riding Championship title in 2003, 2008 and 2009.
Rayel Little
A four-time Canadian Barrel Racing Champion, Rayel Little also qualified for the NFR on two separate occasions.
For two decades, Rayel consistently qualified for the Canadian Finals Rodeo (CFR). A horse trainer by trade, Rayel trained five horses to qualify for the CFR in a single year. For three consecutive years from 2005 to 2007, she won the Ponoka Stampede. Something no other contestant has accomplished to date.
Scott Schiffner
Scott is a two-time Canadian Champion Bull Rider, winning the titles a decade apart. (2002 & 2012).
Tanner Milan
Winning the Canadian Pro Rodeo title in 2011 and 2014, Tanner Milan qualified for his first of two Wrangler NFR’s in 2015, adding the next in 2017.
2014-2024
Jake Vold
Jake is a three-time Canadian Finals Rodeo Champion bareback rider, with six CFR qualifications, and three National Finals Rodeo qualifications.
Jared Parsonage
Jared is a two-time Canadian Champion Bull Rider, and two-time National Finals Rodeo Qualifier.
Jeremy Buhler
Buhler is a four-time Canadian Finals Rodeo Champion Heeler, the 2016 World Champion, the 2016 NFR Average Champion, with four NFR qualifications.
Kendal Pierson
Kendal is the two-time Canadian Champion Breakaway. Roper. She was the first Canadian Breakaway Roping Champion when the event was first introduced to the CFR, and qualified National Finals Breakaway Roping in Las Vegas, NV in 2023, and in 2024.
Levi Simpson
Levi is a four-time Canadian Champion Header, the 2016 National Finals Rodeo World Champion header, and the 2016 NFR Average Champion, with two NFR Qualifications.
Logan Bird
Logan Bird is the 2017 Canadian Champion Tie-Down Roper. With nine-time Canadian Finals Rodeo qualifications, and four times he qualified as the season leader. His great horse, TJ is being inducted to the Canadian Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame this year.
Scott Guenthner
Scott is a four-time Canadian Champion Steer Wrestler, with three National Finals Rodeo qualifications.
Shaya Biever
Shaya is the 2023 Canadian Champion Breakaway Roper, and has qualified for the Canadian Finals Rodeo three times.
Taylor Manning
Taylor Manning is the 2022 Canadian Champion Barrel racer, and has qualified seven-times, at just twenty years old.
Zeke Thurston
Zeke Thurston will go down in history as one of the greatest Saddle Bronc riders ever. He is a four-time Canadian Champion, four-time National Finals Rodeo WORLD Champion, and three-time Calgary Stampede Champion.
