Pro Rodeo Canada
For immediate release
November 6, 2014
Good Carma For Matt Lait
Edmonton, AB (Nov 6, 2014) – A year ago Matt Lait won his first Canadian Championship. This year, the 9 time CFR bareback riding qualifier had what he describes as a ‘middle of the pen’ kind of year… coming into the 2014 CFR in 7th spot. Tonight, in CFR go round 2, Lait made a big move on Calgary Stampede’s Unfortunate Carma – riding for 87 points to collect the first place cheque and move to number two in the overall standings.
“I’d never been on Unfortunate Carma until tonight,” Lait explained. “but I saw him at the (Calgary) Stampede with Jake Vold and JR Vezain. He definitely tests you every jump. He really tried to rip me over the front end. I had to work to keep my hips forward and make a meaner face than he did.”
Lait admitted that there were times over the last year when he didn’t feel as though he wanted the 2014 title as much as he had the year before… but all that changed once he arrived in Edmonton. And with his success tonight, he’s bound to be pretty confident for the rest of the week.
Matt Lait on Calgary Stampede’s Unfortunate Carma – CFR41 – Round Two Bareback Riding Win
CFR photo by Mike Copeman
It was a tough night in the steer wrestling with more than half the twelve man field experiencing barrier problems. But for three time Canadian Champion, Cody Cassidy of Donalda, Alberta, the winds were favorable as the Donalda, Alberta athlete ‘dogged’ his steer in 3.5 seconds to win the night and move into second place overall.
“I knew I had a good steer,” Cassidy said. “And I backed off a bit on the barrier after watching some of the guys but I still needed a good run.” With $11,809 for the night’s work, Cassidy moves to second spot overall.
Team Ropers Levi Simpson and Ryon Tittel proved once again why they are the 2014 Pro Rodeo Canada Season Leaders. For the second night in a row, the talented duo (Simpson from Ponoka, Alberta and Tittel from Pueblo, Colorado) split the win – roping tonight 1/100 of a second faster than last night (5.1 seconds) – maintaining the team’s lead overall and in the average. The win was shared by Kolton Schmidt and Rocky Dallyn.
Highlights courtesy of Northlands.
Pincher Creek, Alberta’s Dustin Flundra enjoyed a solid performance aboard Outlaw Buckers’ Quittin Time, a horse he’d won on twice previously The three time Canadian Champion Saddle Bronc Champion won the round with an 85 point ride – good for his first CFR cheque of the year ($11.809).
Tie-down roper, Clint Robinson has made the Canadian Finals a regular destination in recent years. The Spanish Fork, Utah athlete, who won both the Canadian high point and tie-down titles in 2007, added the round win to a second place finish last night to take the lead in the tie-down standings.
First time CFR ladies barrel racing qualifier Sydney Daines demonstrated the athletic skill that has taken the young college student to success in several sporting arenas. The Red Deer County, Alberta cowgirl topped the field with a 14.622 run to win the round and earn her first ever CFR cheque.
In the bull riding, 2012 Canadian Champion, Scott Schiffner exacted some revenge as he showed once again, the skill that has earned the Strathmore contestant two Canadian titles and 14 CFR qualifications. Schiffner teamed up with Outlaw Buckers’ Rock Show—a bull that made short work of him earlier in the year–for 86.25 points and tonight’s top money.
Novice event round wins went to Lane Cust in the novice saddle bronc riding (74 points); Dantan Bertsch in the bareback riding (74 points) and season leader Coy Robbins (82.5 points) in the steer riding event.
Another highly regarded award was handed out during the second performance of CFR41. Eight time saddle bronc champion Rod Hay was named the 2014 Douglas Lake Ranch Cowboy of the Year.
“This award is special because it’s not about what you’ve won,” the Mayerthorpe, Alberta rancher commented. “It’s about who you are.” Hay added that he regards the award as an accolade he will share with those close to him. “I wouldn’t be the guy I am today without my family.”
Rod Hay is presented with the 2014 Cowboy of the Year award. CFR Photo by Mike Copeman.
Other Information:
Attendance for Thursday, November 6, 2014 evening performance was 13,241.
Attendance for Wednesday, November 5, 2014 evening performance was 12,413
For more information and full results on Canadian Finals Rodeo, visit cfr.ca or rodeocanada.com.
Watch the Live Stream of the CFR at www.worldplaylive.com/cfr41 or listen live on CFCW 790 (cfcw.com)
About the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association: The Canadian Professional Rodeo Association (CPRA) with it’s headquarters in Airdrie, Alberta, is the sanctioning body for professional rodeo in Canada. The CPRA sanctions over 50 events annually with a total payout exceeding $5.1 million. Join us for the 41st edition of the Canadian Finals Rodeo (CFR) November 5th to 9th, 2014 in Edmonton, Alberta at Rexall Place, our association’s premiere event. For more information please visit RodeoCanada.com or call (403) 945-0903. Follow us on Twitter, or like our page on Facebook, and watch the action on YouTube throughout the year.
For more information, please contact:
Canadian Professional Rodeo Association
272245 RR 2, Airdrie, AB T4A 2L5
email: cpra@rodeocanada.com
Telephone: (403) 945-0903
Fax: (403) 945-0936
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