2018 CPRA Award Winners Announced
The ballots are in and tabulated. The Canadian Professional Rodeo Association is excited to release the list of 2018 Contract Personnel Awards/CFR Personnel.
Heading the roster is Brett Gardiner who has been awarded Canada’s Announcer of the Year for the eighth consecutive time and will make his sixth appearance behind the microphone as one of the announcers at the Canadian Finals Rodeo.
Dennis Halstead, also a repeat winner, is now seven time Comedy Act of the Year. The Okotoks resident will also be returning to the CFR, which makes its debut at Red Deer’s Westerner Park later this fall.
CFR pick-up men are Gary Rempel who will make his 20th appearance at the CFR. The 2009 Canadian Cowboy of the Year has also appeared as a WNFR pick-up man nine times and was named 2017 PRCA Pick-Up Man of the Year. Joining Rempel for an eighth CFR selection is Jason Resch.
Returning as CFR timers are Maxine Baird (for the 30th time) and Brenda Vold who will be making her 14th appearance.
Fighting bulls at the CFR for the sixth time in 2018, is Brett Monea. He will be joined by Scott Waye who will make his third trip. Returning in the alternate position is Ty Prescott.
First time winner of the Specialty (Dress) Act of the Year is trick rider, Shelby Pierson (Full Throttle Trick Riding).
Kesler Championship Rodeo is being honoured as the CPRA Stock Contractor of the Year. The Kesler family has received countless accolades over the years in Canada and the U.S. – for both their tremendous stock and excellent rodeo productions.
After sweeping virtually every major bareback riding award one year ago, C5 Rodeo’s outstanding gray, F13 Virgil, is once again Canada’s top-voted Bareback Horse of the Year. S-66 Stampede Warrior, the Calgary Stampede’s 12 year old mare sired by six time World Champion Grated Coconut, has been selected as the top Saddle Bronc Horse in Canada. And the Calgary Stampede collected another award as its six year old black bull, -201 Night Moves, was voted 2018 Bull of the Year.
At the timed event end, Ripn Lady – 2017 Canadian Champion, Carman Pozzobon’s mare – has been named Ladies Barrel Racing Horse With the Most Heart for the second consecutive year.
Twelve time Canadian Champion, Curtis Cassidy, will see two of his horses celebrated in 2018. Stick, a 20 year old sorrel gelding, has been named Tie-Down Horse of the Year while 14 year old Tyson earns Steer Wrestling Horse of the Year honours.
In the team roping, two cowboys who are enjoying break-out seasons, can point to their award-winning horses as part of the reason. Team roping header, Tuftin McLeod’s horse, Cactus is the Head Horse of the Year and Tristan Woolsey’s horse, Harry, has been named Team Roping Heel Horse of the Year.
Congratulations to all the 2018 winners!
About the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association
The Canadian Professional Rodeo Association (CPRA) with headquarters in Airdrie, Alberta is the sanctioning body for professional rodeo in Canada. The CPRA approves over 50 events annually with a total payout exceeding $5.1 million. The organization holds the Grass Roots Final September 27-28 at Stampede Park in Calgary, Alberta and their premiere event – the Canadian Finals Rodeo (CFR) – at the ENMAX Centrium, Westerner Park in Red Deer, Alberta, October 30 – November 4. Follow the CPRA on Twitter and Instagram @prorodeocanada, ‘Like’ Canadian Professional Rodeo Association on Facebook or online at RodeoCanada.com.
Courtesy of CPRA