Kendal Pierson CFR 2022
The reigning Canadian Champion Breakaway Roper is your number one hand heading to the Canadian Finals Rodeo this year. Kendal Pierson banked $17,779.79 in the 2022 season. She won Sundre, and Taber Spring Rodeo, split first at Medicine Hat and Grimshaw, finished second in Taber (fall) and Edmonton, and consistently placed at 9 other rodeos.
What is your background with horses? How did you get started roping?
I grew up on a ranch and have been riding since I was two years old! When I was four years old I started going to the Smokin’ Joes Jr. Roping Clinics until I was to old to go, and that’s what started me in the breakaway roping. From there I roped in the branding pen and at our local roping club. In about the 4th grade I started going over to Tim Williamson’s. He taught me a lot about horsemanship and roping. Still to this day I go over there to get a tune up! I’m also very lucky to have my Dad in my corner. He’s always there to help me practice, analyze my runs and he’s always pushing me to be the best person and roper I can be!
What is your main mounts reg name, bloodlines and does he have any quirks?
Kendals Smokin’ Gun or “Smoke” is a Playgun. Smoke is a pretty easy going horse, except when it’s cold or rainy he will try to buck and snort at everything.
What is your go to saddle, pad and bit on your main mount?
I have always rode Smoke in a saddle that I got from Cowboy Country with an all around tree in it. But lately I’ve been roping in an Oxbow saddle with a calf roping tree. I like both the saddles because they fit anything I have put them on and I feel like I can get to the front of my saddle. I use a Classic Equine 100% felt pad, and for a bit I ride in a bit that one of my dad’s friends made him, it’s just a small curb bit. I like that bit the most because it’s a small bit but if you need to take a hold you can.
What is your horses story?
We bought Smoke as a six year old from a friend of ours Riley Regier. When he was young liked to buck quite a bit, so we were taking a chance on a ranch horse that we were hoping to turn into my rodeo horse. I still remember when I first tried him I couldn’t even stop him in the parking lot, but we decided to take him home and try him. After that we sent him to Clark Hughson for him to put a month of breakaway training on him. After that I continued breakaway roping on him, and I started him in the barrels, poles, and team roping. The next fall after we bought him I took him to the high school rodeos in my grade nine year! He quickly became my number one. We won and placed in the barrels, poles, breakaway and team roping consistently. Ever since then we have grew up together and have had success! Now I’m forever grateful we took a chance on the big grey horse!
What do you do to keep a sharp mental edge in the game of rodeo? How do you stay motivated throughout the season?
I like to try to keep it simple, and don’t overthink my runs. I also like to rope my dummy everyday and visualize my runs. I listen to podcasts, read books about mental games and I have talked to people about my metal game and how I can help improve it. When it comes down it is it’s always a little thing and I try not to make a big deal about the little things.
What does your feed program consist of, and how do you keep your horses in shape? What is your riding routine usually like?
On the road and at home I feed Hoffman’s! Depending on the horse depends on much much I give them, but all of them get Hoffman’s Elite Ration, Pro Fat, and Performance Mineral. On the road they also get Hay Saver. At home I have a tub of Hoffman’s Horse Mineral for them to eat free choice. To keep them in shape I like to take them out for long trots. I’m lucky and have a ranch to ride on so I normally to check cows, or I ride around fields and I’ll go anywhere from five to eight miles. Normally try to do that everyday, or everyday second day. As well as run a couple calves a day!
What is the best advice you’ve been given regarding life, rodeo, horses or roping?
Only worry about what you can change “be where your feet are”! Also take it one run at a time, don’t get ahead of yourself or look back.
What has been your most memorable run over the years, and what made it memorable for you?
The most memorable run for me is at Nationals in 2021 in the Short go! I came back third high call, backing in the box I didn’t know what I needed to be but I knew I needed to make the best run I could on the calf I drew. I ended up being 2.13 to win the short go and to become the 2021 National High School Rodeo World Champion Breakaway Roper!
What was it like to win Canada last year?
Last year I was definitely blessed with the year I had! To get the opportunity to rope on one the of the biggest stages in Canada was quite the experience, and to take home the title was a bonus. Being the first ever Canadian Champion Breakaway Roper was so surreal. It’s not only about the title but being able to grow the sport and paving the way the for women in rodeo!
What are your goals for 2023?
I want to make the CFR again, go to some more rodeos down south. I also want to continue working on a bunch of young horses in the roping pen!
Who was your travel partner this year, and what was your favourite moment together this year?
I was lucky and got to travel with a couple different people over the summer because you know we all like to load up a truck and go! I got to go with Jade Kenney, Kyla Gordan, Mikenna Schaur, Bailey Hines, Brittney Smith, Taylor Flewelling, Charlee Edge, and Aubrey Ross. Through all the trips there was always laughs, good times and memories. I’m lucky that I got the opportunity to go down the road with all them!
What does it mean to you to have the Breakaway Roping at the CFR?
Getting to rope at the CFR is something I had dreamed of since I was little. I always thought in order to be there I was going to have to made it in the team roping. So to be able to be there in breakaway roping means so much to all of us, we are getting to show what we can do with a rope! Also getting to back in at Red Deer to complete against the top 12 girls in Canadian Pro Rodeo is pretty exciting! It’s also not but just about us 12 girls, now young girls in Canada have something to strive for at a pro level!
“When I say success take a village I mean it and I wouldn’t be able to be where I am today without the support of my family, friends and sponsors. Also a big thank you to all the committees that added breakaway into your rodeos, this wouldn’t have been possible without them!”
