Logan Bird CFR 2023
The 2017 Canadian Tie-Down Roping Champion, Logan Bird is set for his eighth Canadian Finals Rodeo qualification.
Bird is heading into the finals in second position, just $2,737.55 behind the number one cowboy, Haven Meged. This year he won Falkland, High River, Cranbrook, and Hanna, placing at eighteen other rodeos on his horse Shiners Black Cat, aka Peso, who is by Shining Spark, out of Miss Hickory Tari (Taris Catalyst). Peso was the Tie-Down Roping Horse of the Year in 2021, and 2022.
Bird is the Tie-Down Roping Director for the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association, and his sister Lakota, is the Breakaway Roping Director.
What is your main mounts back story?
My dad Maynard, bought Peso in 2017. An older gentleman was ranching on him in Claresholm, and he just had too much go for that, so he sold him. We took him with with the intention of making him into a calf horse, and selling him. I knew he had a chance to be special when I started him. I’ve never had a horse that would stand perfect in the corner and leave hard of your hand so fast, it was amazing. He was so fast I had to buy him to keep trying him out. He had basically no stop at all, he was all gas no brakes. I used to say, “if we ever get him to stop, we will have something.” Fortunately I did, and I do.
What quirks does your horse have, and what quirks would you say that you have?
Peso hates loud music behind him, especially if it has a certain beat to it. Most music is fine, but certain beats make him turn and want to look behind him. It’s his only hole as a calf horse.
I don’t know where to start on my own quirks. I don’t drink alcohol, coffee, or energy drinks, and I drink iced tea, almost exclusively.
What has been your most memorable run this year, and what made it memorable for you?
Probably High River. Living in Nanton I have two home town rodeos, Stavely and High River. I had never won either, so winning High River finally felt pretty cool.
What was different about your rodeo season this year compared to last year or other seasons?
This year was the most consistent winning season I’ve ever had, even though I have won season leader three times. I have this goal where I have 5 blocks of the season; I want to win $5,000 in each block, breaking the season down. Usually if you can do it 3/5 you make the finals. 4/5 you win season leader. I went 5/5 for the first time ever, even though I ended up second to Haven, I won all throughout the year. I had no real cold streaks this year. I also had no big hits keeping me from season leader, but I didn’t place at Wainwright, Ponoka, Williams Lake, or Strathmore and those are the ones you can really win a lot at, and make ground up fast.
Did you face any challenges this season? Tell us about them.
This was one of the least challenging seasons I’ve had because I won early, and by June I knew I would make the CFR. I guess I would say the hardest was not winning at the big ones, and trying to keep pace with the top guys who were winning money in huge chunks, and my biggest check this year was $2,800-ish.
Tell the readers something good that happened to you this season, other than placing at, or winning a rodeo.
Well my travelling partner, Cooper Resch qualified for his first Canadian Finals Rodeo. I took him under my wing I guess you could say, and sold him a horse I made. He lived in my house, and I told him at the beginning of the year I would coach him to a CFR qualification. He made the CFR at the last rodeo in Edmonton, so that was cool.
Who is your travelling partner, and what do you enjoy most about travelling with them?
I have some built in travelling partners. I went everywhere with Cooper Resch, who lives with me. My sister, Lakota also lives at my house, and my cousin Reata lives a mile away. For the far trips we can all go together, so that’s nice.
What is the best advice you’d give to readers, about horses and or competing?
Horses are what wins. In the roping, people try to get by on just ok horses, but it usually doesn’t work. You just can’t consistently beat the best guys on the best horses with an ok horse. If you really want to be a winner, get the best horse you can find. If not, you will always be behind.
Favourite Canadian rodeo this year, and why?
That’s tough, as there are a lot of great ones. I try not to take any rodeo for granted. They are put on by volunteers who work their butts off so that we can rodeo. So, I want to say all of them, because I’m happy to go to all of them. If I need to pick one, I’ll go with La Crete. They go above and beyond for the contestants with free pens, and they come around and water your horses. They also feed you every meal, and not like normal rodeo hospitality tents; they have great food, and truly go above and beyond for us.
Which of the other CFR Qualifiers horses would you swing a leg over if given the chance and why?
I think I would go with Haven’s bay horse. That horse looks pretty good and consistent. I have rode Clayton Smiths good horse and Beau Coopers, Seven before, and they are nice also.
Who has been your rodeo mentor and what is something they’ve taught you?
My dad, first and foremost. He thought me how to rope, and how to make and keep a good horse. Basically everything I have is because of him. Nate Baldwin, Shane Hanchey, and Chad Johnson all did a lot for me when I was younger as far as teaching me how to win and what it takes to do this at this level.
What products can you or your horse not live without on the road?
I usually bring a football and basketball incase a game breaks out!
Mental game; what do you do to stay sharp, and shake the nerves of competing?
I don’t know how to shake the nerves, I’m still trying to figure that out. I get very nervous, but I just try to be prepared, have a game plan, and go do what I can each run.
What is your go to pizza order and fave pizza place?
Meat lovers or pepperoni. My favourite place is Rays Pizza, with locations in Scottsdale, and Cave Creek, Arizona. The pizza is good, but the hot wings are great. If you’re around there and like wings, you have to stop, they are so good!
I would like to thank Lyle Kurtz and CVS Controls for all that he does for the sport of rodeo. I would also like to thank Wrangler, Weather Leather, Cowboy Country, Lazy B, and Buckhorn Gloves.
