Calgary, AB: It would be interesting to know how many consecutive years a Canadian has qualified for the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, NV. We did have a 50 plus year streak of having a bronc rider there every year up until last year. We may be able to get it started again this year with a few in contention to make it. 
There hadn’t been much said about the PRCA World Standings lately up here so here’s where some of our Canadians are sitting as of how the standings were posted today.
Bareback: Dusty LaValley has been to the NFR Three Times and after 2011 is now a Four Time Canadian Champion. Today he sits 13th in the World with nearly $41,000 won. The next closest is the currently injured Luke Creasy in 28th with $23,000 won. Luke was having a banner year up until his injury. Look for him to come back strong looking at his first NFR in 2013. Jake Vold also had some injury trouble last year that took him out of his first real shot at Vegas. This year he’s one spot back from Luke with $1,000 less won than him at $22,000. Regina’s Ty Taypotat sits 32nd with just under $20,000 won to date.
Steer Wrestling: Clayton Moore of Pouce Coupe, BC is our highest ranked Canadian. He’s currently got $33,656 won according to today’s standings which puts him in 18th place. $35,593 is what he would need today to be in the 15th position. That’s currently held by California’s Luke Branquinho. Last year’s Calgary Stampede $100,000 Champ Straws Milan is the next closest with $28,061 for 24th place. It’s too bad he had to ride by one last week in Cheyenne’s Short Go. A win there could have been very important in getting him up the standings. Todd Maughn has had some success this year across the border, he’s 36th with $23,835 won. Cody & Curtis Cassidy Cassidy are right behind him at 39th at 41st with $23,245 and $22942 won thus far respectively.
Saddle Bronc: We’ve got more Canadians with a really good shot at making the finals in the Saddle Bronc than any other event in my opinion. Luke Butterfield sits 18th with $34,202 won. That may or may not include his last week’s earnings too that would take him right to or even past Bradley Harter’s $39,764 which currently has him in the 15th and finals NFR Qualifying spot. Sam Kelts isn’t far behind either in 22nd with $30,408 he’s also been doing some winning which would set him closer to Vegas as well. Getting on a good roll right now would set anyone up for the big Tour Finals coming up both in Puyallup, WA & Omaha, NE. Four Time Canadian Champion Dustin Flundra has a shot too with $27,574 won thus far in 2012. He sits in 25th. Kyle Thomson sits 30th with $24,207. Rylan Geiger just won Strathmore too so if that hasn’t been added yet it would jump him right up into contention with where Sam Kelts is at. Rylan has yet to cross the border yet too. That’s quite impressive. CNFR Champion Tyrel Larsen and Jim Berry are aso ranked in the Top 50.
Tie Down Roping: Logan Hofer is the lone Canadian in the Top 50 in the Tie Down. He’s got a shot though too sitting in 20th with $39,541 won thus far. He’s been having his best year yet in the PRCA. He’s only about $3,000 back of the 15th spot too which is now held by Josh Peek. A NFR berth is a very real thing for Logan if he can have a good fall.
Barrel Racing: Courtesy of the WPRA. Lindsay Sears has won over $114,000 and currently sits in the third spot in the standings. As last year’s World Champion, she has a spot to repeat as she sits as our Top Ranked Canadian today. She’s also the only one that we could say has for sure locked up her spot to be in Las Vegas in December.
Bull Riding: We haven’t had a Canadian Bull Rider Qualify for the NFR since probably the early 2000’s now. Who was the last one to get there anyway? That’d be a good one to leave as a comment if you knew! Our only hope this year is Ty Pozzobon who sits 36th right now with $22,085 or Beau Brooks who’s really not got much hope in 47th with $18,366. Since Ty’s focus is on the PBR he probably won’t be going to the rodeos so it’s not looking so good this year. It sure would be cool to get someone back there soon in the bull riding. It’ll happen again one day.
Comments
Pretty sure Rob Bell was the last canadian to make the nfr or else it was Robert Bowers