Lakota Bird - CFR50
Lakota Bird finished third in the regular season standings after 43 rodeos and $18,189.86 won aboard her horse Hickory’s 50. She won Raymond and split the win in Sundre with Caitlyn Dahm. Bird is the CPRA Breakaway Roping Representative, and works hard for the breakaway ropers all year long.
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What is it that makes your horse so special to you?
I bought 50 at a sale 3 years ago. 50 has always been a hand-full but he is very fast and gave me lots of chances to win this year!
What has been your most memorable run in 2024, and what made it memorable for you?
My most memorable run was probably Nanton Pro Rodeo. It was only an average run I was 2.6 and split a low hole but it was my first home town pro rodeo. I grew up at the Nanton Nite rodeos in that arena and it was a memorial rodeo for my great uncle Clark Schlosser.
I helped on the rodeo commitee and it was cool to see a pro rodeo come together for the first time in our little town.
What was different about your rodeo season this year compared to last year or other seasons?
The last couple years I have done well in June and struggled in August. Last year I couldn’t pull myself out of the slump and didn’t win anything toward the end of the year. This year I was able to place at the Armstrong tour finale and Merritt, it was good to end on a better note.
Did you face any challenges this season? Tell us about them.
I made plenty of mistakes in my roping this year. I went on a spell I felt like I kept drawing toward the slower end of the pen (which normally should be good) but I kept messing them up! I would miss, break the barrier, or be too slow. My horse is a faster and more free running style so trying to adjust to win on slow cattle was a challenge.
Tell the readers something good that happened to you this season, other than placing at, or winning a rodeo.
I got engaged! My boyfriend Chase proposed in June and we are going to get married September 2025.
Who is your travelling partner, and what do you enjoy most about travelling with them?
This year I lost my go to traveling partner, my cousin Reata Schlosser. She broke her back at Falkland and wasn’t able to rodeo the rest of the summer, I missed her on the road!
I ended up traveling with Darby Wilkinson this summer. We have been friends for a long time but we hadn’t traveled together that much before this year. She was a great traveling partner we had lots of fun and were always pulling for each other! She ended up barely outside of the top 12 this year which was disappointing, she roped great, but I know she will be coming for it again next year!
I also traveled with my Brother Logan and his girlfriend Tori some. They are both easy to get along with and we had a good summer!
What is the best advice you’d give to readers, about horses and or competing?
You just have to keep working at it. I know it sounds redundant but everyone goes through struggles with roping and horses. If you keep working at it and striving to be better you will come out the other side!
Favourite Canadian rodeo this year, and why?
I have a few! Nanton because it was my first home town rodeo, and Sundre because it is one of the biggest rodeos for breakway ropers, and they treat us great!
Which of the other CFR Qualifiers horses would you swing a leg over if given the chance and why?
Teacher, the horse the Whitesdies ride! He scores great, runs hard and breaks it off fast!
What can you or your horse not live without on the road?
Our synergy by Weaver tack is a must! On horses that run and stop hard it’s very important to keep their legs protected.
Mental game; how do you stay mentally strong in the rodeo game, with many ups and downs?
I try not to put too much emphasis on a mental game. I like to focus on my technical game, if I’m not winning I am probably making mistakes in my roping. I try to be honest with myself about what I need to work on whether it’s my scoring, my horse or my swing. When I have confidence in the way my horse is working and what I am doing I have confidence that I will win.
Do you have plans of heading south this winter? If so, what does this look like for you, where do you plan on entering?
I usually take my horses to Arizona in the fall and then fly back and forth for work. I will probably just go to jackpots and rodeos around Arizona.
Do you have any up and coming prospects, and or, what do you look for in a prospect that you could share a little about with readers?
I have a 6 year old buckskin named Rambo that I bought last winter from my Dad. He is very talented but he has a big engine. I am hoping to be able to haul him some next summer.
What was one thing a committee did this year that you appreciated the most?
I appreciate all of the rodeos who host breakaway roping and especially the ones that go the extra mile to add more money in the breakaway. It is still an optional event and I really appreciate the committees that raise extra money to have us!
One thing that does stick out is at Sundre it was an all girls slack and there wasn’t really anyone there to push calves. Shane Crouch noticed this, and pushed almost all of the breakway calves!
What is your advice for someone who wants to take a shot at making the Canadian Finals Rodeo?
Work hard, ride a good horse and go to everyone rodeo. You never know when you are going to get a check and every little bit counts at the end of the year.
I would like to thank my family for supporting me! My Mom, Shawna looks after all of the cattle and horses that get left behind when everyone else leaves every weekend. My Dad, Manerd for helping me with my roping and encouraging committees to include breakaway roping. I would also like to thank my Fiancé , Chase for always being up to open the gate when I need someone!
