A Tip of the Hat to Rodeo’s Young Athletes
Novice saddle bronc rider Hunter Sawley – 2018 Williams Lake Stampede photo by
* Dallas Duffy / DDD Photography
Airdrie, AB – Hay, Golden, Deitz, Manning, Macza, Andersen, Barrass and Burwash.
The list is composed of some of Canadian rodeo’s greatest names. And now, a generation later, those same names are re-appearing on Canadian rodeo results pages every week. And they’re not alone. First generation young rodeo athletes are making their own mark in professional rodeo alongside the second and third generation talents.
Hunter Sawley is in that latter category. The Fox Creek, Alberta bronc rider added two victories to his already impressive 2018 resume as he turned in a 75 point ride for $446 at Benalto Fair and Stampede and followed that up with a 76.5 effort at Coronation Pro Rodeo – good for $349.
The back to back wins put the northern Alberta talent squarely in the Canadian Finals Rodeo conversation as he battles Jake Burwash, Logan Hay, Lucas Macza, Ben Andersen and others for one of three CFR berths.
“I was struggling earlier in the year,” the 21 year old noted. “but I recently bought a new, smaller saddle and was able to make a couple of pretty good rides this past weekend. I’m hoping the momentum and confidence I’m got right now will keep me going the rest of the year.”
Another even younger rodeo athlete, who is similarly making a name for himself, is Dusty Golden. The Mayerthorpe, Alberta steer rider topped the field at Coronation with 78.5 points ($329.80) to follow up a $3400 weekend over Cowboy Christmas. The second generation hand has a commanding lead atop the Canadian steer riding standings.
And in the novice bareback riding competition, Milo, Alberta cowboy, Chett Deitz, is following in the footsteps of his bareback riding Dad, Neil. The younger Deitz emerged victorious at Coronation with a 73 point ride and $240.56 then added a third place at Benalto for $176.54.
For complete unofficial results from the Benalto and Coronation Pro Rodeos, check out rodeocanada.com.
Next up on the CPRA schedule is the Teepee Creek Stampede July 13-15.
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