CALGARY, AB - The inaugural Wrangler Canadian Professional Rodeo Tour Championship, Oct. 3-5 at the Stampede Corral, offered big prizes, great opportunities and a few shake-ups to the standings.
Saddle Bronc leader Dustin Hausauer (Dickinson, ND) will be joined by Ben Morrow (Turner Valley, AB), who earned the right to compete in Sunday’s final round when he replaced injured fellow Aussie Alan Bandy (Wainwright, AB). Going into the weekend, Morrow sat 15th in the standings.
Bareback rider Denny Phipps (Cochrane, AB), a Wrangler Canadian Tour Final qualifier thanks to the Last Chance Tour, came into the weekend placed at 18th in the Canadian standings. A strong finish has him in 11th place with a ticket to the CFR thanks to Kyle Bowers (Brooks, AB) and Dusty LaValley (Crooked Creek, AB) qualifying through the Tour.
The weekend featured 12 contestants in each of the six major events, plus team roping, with $30,500 up for grabs in each event. The top two finishers in each event also earned berths at the upcoming Canadian Finals Rodeo (CFR) in Edmonton, Nov. 5-9 and invitations to compete at the 2009 Calgary Stampede.
Other Wrangler Canadian Professional Rodeo Tour Champions include:
Bull Riding: Ty Elliott (Vernon, BC), Jody Turner (Cochrane, AB)
Tie-Down Roping: Marty Becker (Edmonton, AB), Chad Johnson (Del Bonita, AB)
Steer Wrestling: Justin Guenthner (Vermillion, AB), Cody Cassidy (Donalda, AB)
Ladies Barrel Racing: Gaylene Buff (Westwold, BC), Debbie Renger (Okotoks, AB)
Team Roping: Shane Schwenke (Harlem, MT) and Cole Bigbee (Stevenville, TX), Justin McCarroll (Camrose, AB) and Brett McCarroll (Camrose, AB)
There are two remaining CPRA events before CFR; The New Holland Saskatoon Stampede Pro Rodeo kicks off the 2009 season on Oct. 10-12 in Saskatoon, and Prince George’s West of the Rockies Pro Rodeo Final, Oct. 17-19.
CPRA cowboys also have the opportunity to be warming up for the CFR at the Todd Boggust Memorial Steer Wrestling and Tie-Down Roping, Oct. 25-26 in Consort, Alberta.
For up to date standings and results, visit www.rodeocanada.com