Dawson Team Roping Brothers on Fire
The old expression, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” applies perfectly to Canadian team roping brothers, Dawson and Dillon Graham.
After the second week of the 2022 CPRA season, the Wainwright duo find themselves in familiar territory - top spot in the Canadian standings. Coming off a year that saw them finish up as season leaders, it’s not surprising that they don’t see a need to change much.
“Heck, being season leaders gives you the best chance to win Canada, so if we can do that again, that’s a good deal,” header Dawson Graham acknowledged. “We just need to catch a few more at the Finals is about the only thing we want to do differently.”
So far in the 2022 season, the Grahams have placed at all five events including the Maple Leaf Circuit Finals in Regina in late November. Included in those results are a pair of wins - one of them this weekend at Kananaskis Pro Rodeo in Coleman to go with a fifth-place finish at the Drayton Valley Pro Rodeo. Their $2213 in weekend earnings pushed them to just over $7000 for the season to date.
“We’ve drawn really good all year; our steer in Coleman ran straight which is important in these buildings. It’s a little longer box down there so they get out a little further but it was a pretty easy run for both Dillon and me.”
The 4.8 seconds on the clock gave the two-time CFR qualifiers the win at a time when their schedule is a little hectic. “We’re flying down to Guymon, Oklahoma in the morning, then back for Taber and back to Guymon again.”
The six-year pros definitely have a future WNFR berth on their mind but maybe not this year. “We need to do well enough to get into the big rodeos for next year and see how we do.”
As for the chemistry of their partnership in an event that sees a fair number of changing partners, the elder brother, Dawson, who will turn 23 in a week, was clear. “I’m not sure either one of us could rope with somebody else. We live together, we travel together, we get along great, we both head and heel so we know what the other guy needs. I think we’ll be roping together for a while.”
And for the second week in a row, one bareback rider dominated. This time it was Ty Taypotat, who finished runner-up for the Canadian title in 2021. The Nanton, AB cowboy was 85.5 points on Duane Kesler’s Cash N Carry for the win at Coleman ($1065) and followed that up with an 88 point ride on Duffy Rodeo’s Blue Bananas at Drayton Valley for another $1180.
This week will see CPRA athletes heading to southern Alberta for the Taber Spring Classic Pro Rodeo May 6 and 7.
For complete weekend rodeo results and the CPRA event schedule, go to www.rodeocanada.com
