After 33 years, the Canadian Finals Rodeo is changing the format of the cowboy championships, hoping it will improve the quality of the competition that just wrapped up in Edmonton.
Starting in January, the top cowboys who qualify for the CFR will be able to carry over the points they earn during the season from other rodeos into the championships. In the past, those records were wiped clean once the CFR started.
Changes mean CFR competitors, including saddle bronc riders, will now carry over points earned during the season.
(Northlands)
The CFR is one of Canada's highest-paying rodeos, offering $1.1 million in prize money and showcasing events including steer wrestling and bull riding.
Rod Hay, an eight-time Canadian saddle bronc champion, said the Canadian titles will mean more now that they're based on the whole season and not just five days of competition in Edmonton.
"I think the talent level will go up but also it will keep guys going harder and possibly better because you're making it more of a job instead of a weekend thing," said Hay, who lives in Wildwood, Alta.
The change by the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association was made after pressure from cowboys.
The new format will also be a much-needed shot in the arm for dozens of smaller rodeos across Western Canada, as cowboys are now forced to compete in more events to rack up additional points.
"Cowboys now will have to pretty well attend every professional rodeo in Canada just to get enough dollars to qualify and carry on to win the Canadian championships," said Darryl Tucker, who runs the Interior Provincial Exhibition and Stampede every Labour Day weekend in Armstrong, B.C.
"So I think will entice cowboys to go down the road and compete in all the rodeos and not just the big ones in Canada."
The CFR, which ended Monday, attracts thousands of visitors to Edmonton every November.
Related
External Links
(Note: CBC does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of external sites - links will open in new window)
MORE EDMONTON HEADLINES »
- Riverbend fire deliberately set, say police
- Arson caused an overnight fire in southwest Edmonton that sent a man to hospital with serious burns, said police.
- Maximum-security prison too risky for teen's killer: lawyer
- Corrections officials will decide where a man convicted of raping and killing an Edmonton teenager, and diagnosed as highly psychopathic, will serve his sentence, said a judge.
- Gionta rallies Devils past Oilers
- Winger Brian Gionta scored the game-winning goal early in the third period to lift the New Jersey Devils to a 3-1 victory over the Edmonton Oilers Friday night at Rexall Place.
- Soldier surrenders after shots fired outside Edmonton home
- A soldier is in custody after shots were fired from what police believe was an assault rifle outside an Edmonton home.
- Nude, frozen body found southwest of Edmonton
- The RCMP are investigating the discovery of a naked, frozen body in Breton, southwest of Edmonton.
Canada Features
Blog Watch
Most Blogged about CBC.ca Articles
Note: CBC does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of external sites - link will open in new window
