ANOTHER ACTION-PACKED NIGHT AT CFR ‘46

Ty Harris has a flair for the dramatic. Flash back one month to Hanna, Alberta and the final regular season stop for 2019. The San Angelo, Texas tie-down roper had to win the rodeo outright to qualify for his first Canadian Finals Rodeo. Not only did he do that, but he did it by turning in a 6.7 second run – the fastest of the CPRA season – and the fastest of his career.
Fast forward to performance number four of CFR ‘46. The 24 year old college student recorded a 7.0 second run to equal the Canadian Finals Rodeo tie-down roping record set by two time Canadian Champion Matt Shiozawa.
“This is a great rodeo with an amazing atmosphere. I’m just happy to be here,” Harris grinned.
The win moved Harris to second place overall – just $2100 behind travelling partner Haven Maged. The challenge for Harris is that he sits tenth in the lucrative aggregate standings while Maged is second behind Michigan roper, Cody McCartney.
As CFR moves into the final weekend, the aggregate – which pays one and a half times a regular go-round – is on the radar for many competitors. One of those athletes is 2013 Canadian Steer Wrestling Champion, Clayton Moore, who took over the aggregate lead in his event. And while the Pouce Coupe, BC cowboy sits fourth overall, all three men ahead of him are not factors in the all-important aggregate standings.
“I’m excited about being at CFR,” the veteran bull dogger commented. “My mare’s working really good. And it doesn’t really matter where I come in here as long as I have a seat at the table. They pay enough that you can cover a lot of ground pretty quick.”
Bareback rider, Orin Larsen also made a move in round four. The Inglis, Manitoba cowboy spurred out an 87.5 score on Outlaw Buckers’ Buckwheat to jump back into contention for the title. Tonight’s go-round win leaves Larsen within $3000 of overall leader Richmond Champion; but Larsen sits atop the aggregate standings with Champion in second place.
Maybe the most dramatic moment of the night was the ride of 2016 Canadian Champion Bull Rider Jordan Hansen. The last rider of the night matched up with Outlaw Buckers’ Bull of the Year, Blackstone After Party who had not been ridden in 2019. Hansen, who is one of five bull riders who are four for four heading into Saturday’s fifth round, was 90.25 points on the outstanding big gray. Hansen, who has also qualified for his second National Finals Rodeo, is within striking distance of 2019 Rookie of the Year, Edgar Durazo, who won the first three rounds and finished second tonight to Hansen’s amazing effort.
Other go-round winners were Zeke Thurston who rode the Calgary Stampede’s Zaka Kibitz to 87.25 points for his second go-round win and Kamloops, BC cowgirl, Brooke Wills, who broke through for her first win with the fastest time of this CFR to date – a 14.223 second run. There was a first place tie in the team roping; Justin and Brett McCarroll and Clay Ullery/Riley Warren both got the job done in 4.6 seconds.
And the 2019 Junior Steer Riding Champion was declared. Tristen Manning from Yellowhead County, Alberta won his second consecutive title. The second generation hand rode all four of his steers, making his strongest ride on Friday night with a 78 point score. Manning picked up $4000 in CFR earnings and $12,185 overall – a single season earnings record in steer riding.
Another title that was awarded during performance four was that of Miss Rodeo Canada 2020. Alicia Erickson – from the Ponoka Stampede organization – will carry the crown as we move into next season.
For complete results, see rodeocanada.com