Finkbeiner Makes Early Season Move
Wacey Finkbeiner – 2017 CFR – Mike Copeman photo
Tofield, AB – Wacey Finkbeiner had been knocking on the door.
A pair of 7.8 second rides at Regina (Agribition Rodeo), then the crying hole at the Red Deer Bull Riding event were an indication that he was “going in the right direction, just not quite there.”
So the eight-year CPRA veteran headed off to the Xtreme Bulls Tofield Bull Bash feeling good both mentally and physically. And it showed as the twenty-five year-old put together a masterful 90 point ride in the short go to top the field with a 179 total on two rides and earn a $4876 winner’s cheque.
Finkbeiner had earlier combined with Girletz Rodeo’s Oklahoma Blues to win the long go with an 89 point ride. That set the stage for his confrontation with a Vold Rodeo four year-old Sheep Creek offspring called Devour in the short round.
“Nansen’s (Vold) is really excited about this bull,” Finkbeiner noted. “He’s got him going to a Built Ford Tough event in Billings next week so he was really wanting him to be solid in Tofield. Normally he’s out of a right-hand delivery and he goes right, but with me he jumped out a couple and went left. But he was really good.”
The second generation cowboy shared the short go honours with fellow Ponoka resident and veteran Tyler Pankewitz who rode Elli Skori’s legendary Minion Stuart for a 90 of his own. Pankewitz’s 186 on two was good for second spot with 2016 Canadian Champion and 2017 WNFR qualifier, Jordan Hansen (also from Ponoka), taking home the third place cheque with 161.5 on two rides.
“I’ve worked hard this winter,” Finkbeiner acknowledged. “I’ve really concentrated on stretching and mobility and I feel ready for a big year. I’ll be heading down south after May 1 when I’m done calving some heifers I bought.”
As for his game plan for the year, the two-time CFR qualifier is very clear. “I’ll be going to the places that make the most sense and have the most money. It’s what you have to do in this business.”
The Tofield results impacted the Canadian standings as well, as Pankewitz moves to fifth place with Finkbeiner right behind him in sixth. For complete Tofield Bull Bash results, go to rodeocanada.com.
Next up on the CPRA calendar is a pair of Alberta stops—Camrose Spring Classic Pro Rodeo and Kananaskis Pro Rodeo in Coleman. Both events run April 27-29.
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