Rookie Makes Some Noise
Airdrie, Alberta – May 1, 2017 – For Dustin Nicholson, it was a “pretty cool weekend.”
The 27 year-old two time Canadian Intercollegiate Rodeo Association steer wrestling champion (Red Deer College) had just taken a major step in a rodeo career that has already been dotted with successes.
“It feels good to know I can compete with these guys,” said Nicholson as he looked back on a weekend that saw him post a 3.5 second winning run at Coleman’s Kananaskis Pro Rodeo and a 1-2 split at Camrose Spring Classic Pro Rodeo with a 3.6 (matched by Stephen Culling). The weekend haul for Nicholson topped out at $4020.14…”the most money I’ve ever won in a weekend.”
In fact, Nicholson’s traveling partners also enjoyed a profitable weekend. “Yeah, it was a pretty good run for our rig,” he noted. “Bryce Kulbacki won the tie down roping at Coleman and Joe Guze placed in the steer wrestling at both places.”
Following up on his 2015 and 2016 college accomplishments, the Quesnel, British Columbia native who now makes his home in Stettler, was last year’s season leader in the Lakeland Rodeo Association. If this weekend’s results are an indicator, Dustin Nicholson’s transition to pro ranks will go very smoothly indeed.
The 6’, 210 pound rookie rides Geronimo, a fifteen year-old bay gelding he purchased from Cody Cassidy. “He’s been outstanding for me,” Nicholson added. “I rode him at College, and last year he was the Horse of the Year in both the LRA and the FCA.”
The journeyman welder (Flaretech Inc.) credits the work he put in all winter with getting him ready for his run at the pros. “I was going to the gym in the morning, then practicing after work and I really felt ready for this year. It’s always been a goal of mine to compete at the CFR so that’s what I’m working towards.”
Having filled his pro card and a whole lot more this past weekend, Dustin Nicholson sent a message to the bulldogging world—this is a man to be reckoned with in 2017.
Other multiple winners on the weekend included Stettler’s Riley Warren who earned a 1-4 split in the tie down roping in Coleman for $1478.45, then added a second place 9.2 second run in Camrose for another 1814.30. Six time CFR bull riding qualifier Tyler Pankewitz had a productive run – winning Coleman with an 84.5 on Kesler Rodeo’s Rock This Way, then finishing second at Camrose to complete a $2636 weekend.
The team roping pairing of Brett Buss and Ty Flewelling put together a 5.0 second winning run at Camrose combined with a 5-6 split at Coleman to net $1904 per man for the effort while CFR barrel racer, Carman Pozzobon won Coleman (12.449 seconds) and placed at Camrose for a $2066 haul. Pincher Creek bareback rider Bobby Peters, after sitting out the 2016 season, had a solid weekend with a win at Coleman (82 points aboard Kesler’s Street Dance) and a 7th place cheque at Camrose to pocket $1391.
Next stop on the CPRA schedule is the Drayton Valley Pro Rodeo May 5-7.
Complete rodeo results are available at rodeocanada.com
About the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association
The Canadian Professional Rodeo Association (CPRA) with headquarters in Airdrie, Alta. is the sanctioning body for professional rodeo in Canada. The CPRA approves over 50 events annually with a total payout exceeding $5.1 million. Join us for our premiere event – the Canadian Finals Rodeo (CFR) November 8-12, 2017 at Northlands Coliseum in Edmonton, Alberta. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat at @prorodeocanada, like Canadian Professional Rodeo Association on Facebook, or online at RodeoCanada.com.
Courtesy of CPRA