CALGARY, ALTA. – The Canadian Professional Rodeo Association (CPRA) is pleased to announce the 2009 award winners for Stock of the Year, Timed Event Horses of the Year, and the elected personnel for the 2009 Canadian Finals Rodeo (CFR).
Voted on by members of the CPRA, these annual awards recognize the top bucking stock, timed-event horses and the years top stock contractor, as well as the Specialty Act and Announcer of the Year.
The Calgary Stampede has been voted Stock Contractor of the Year, and has swept the bucking stock awards for 2009, the first such occurrence since 1983 when Vold Rodeo Ltd. won all three stock awards.
Calgary Stampede’s L-40 Lynx Mountain picks up the Saddle Bronc Horse of the Year title for the first time. The mare has been selected for CFR twice, and made a trip to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas in 2007.
Another Stampede horse, but one that needs little introduction, has earned the Bareback Horse of the Year title for the sixth time. The award-decorated stud G-65 Grated Coconut was previously honoured with the title in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007 and 2008. Runner-up was Grated Coconut’s son, M-32 Majestic Rocket, a bucking powerhouse in his own right.
The black, brockle-faced bull C-301 Speed Dial, also from the Calgary Stampede, has something to call home about, since being voted in as the 2009 Canadian Bull of the Year.
A record has been broken in the timed event end of the arena. Greg Cassidy’s horse Willy wins Steer Wrestling Horse of the Year for the sixth time, ousting Hall of Fame inductee Wes Zieffle’s outstanding
horse Twist from his long time position as the steer wrestling horse who has won the most Horse of the Year titles, while Pincher, owned by Chad Johnson of Del Bonita, Alta., was named Tie-Down Roping Horse of the Year for the first time.
Reiner, owned by Okotoks, Alta. cowgirl Deb Renger, has been given the award for Barrel Racing Horse With the Most Heart. It’s Reiner’s first time receiving the title.
The Specialty Act of the Year award goes to Ash Cooper of Senlac, Sask., while the Announcer of the Year award goes to Les McIntyre of Claresholm, Alta., a first time winner.
Heading to the CFR are pick-up men Gary Rempel of Fort Shaw, MT, making his record-breaking 12th appearance at the Finals, and Jason Resch of Fort Assiniboine, Alta., who makes his third straight appearance.
Bullfighting cousins Scott and Jesse Byrne, Saskatoon, Sask., are in the arena together for the first time at CFR. For Scott, of Wainwright, Alta., this is his eighth consecutive CFR appearance. This year’s alternate is bullfighter David Sandilands of Esterhazy, Sask.
Once again, Brenda Vold and Maxine Baird will be the CFR timers.
Upcoming Rodeos:
Saskatoon, SK ~ October 9-11 (counts towards 2010 season)
Edmonton, AB ~ November 11-15 (Canadian Finals Rodeo XXXVI)
For the most up-to-date standings and results, visit www.rodeocanada.com.
