Ben Andersen competes at the 2019 Glencross Charity Roughstock event in Red Deer, Alberta. Photo by Covy Moore/covymoore.com.
Bronc rider Ben Andersen continued his winning ways with another win, this one at the Medicine Hat Fall Roundup, where he rode Duffy Rodeo’s outstanding Stix to 86 points for the $808 victory.
The talented Eckville, Alberta first-year pro padded his lead in the rookie standings as well, now holding an $1800 cushion over barrel racer Stacey Ruzicka. Andersen also solidified his hold on third place in the bronc riding standings, having long ago clinched a berth at CFR ’46. Not bad for a young man who bypassed the advice of his dad in taking out his pro card at the start of the 2019 season.
Former Canadian professional bronc rider, Chris Andersen, admits he had a different idea for his son. “I told him he should spend another year in CPRA novice and amateur rodeo just to get a little more experience,” Chris chuckled. “Obviously he didn’t listen to me. I guess he knew what he was doing.”
Yes, it would seem that Ben who won’t turn 20 until next month knew exactly what he was doing. In fact at several CPRA rodeos this year, the young cowboy won big cheques at rodeos where he’d competed (and in many cases won) in the novice event a year ago.
“Roddy Hay has this New Year’s Eve bronc riding (open) event every year and last December I told myself if I won that I’d turn pro,” Andersen recalled. “And sure enough I won it. I honestly felt I could win some at this level, but I sure didn’t have any idea it would go this good in my first year.”
The rookie title is one that would mean a lot to the second generation talent. “Those were my goals at the start of the year—to win the Rookie of the Year up here and in the PRCA as well.” Andersen sits second in the PRCA Saddle Bronc Riding rookie race but has leader Stetson Wright well within his sights.
Additional Weekend Highlights:
After the disappointment of missing the Canadian Finals Rodeo by just $22 dollars a year ago, Chauvin, AB steer wrestler, Layne Delemont, all but punched his ticket to this year’s CFR with a lightning-fast 3.8 second run at Medicine Lodge for a $960 payday. The win boosted Delemont’s 2019 earnings to just over $16,700 and a solid 8th place in the standings with only three rodeos left in the regular season, all but locking up a trip to Red Deer later this fall for the 27 year-old bulldogger.
And the frantic race for the final CFR berths in the bull riding got still tighter as the 14th place man, Timber Lake South Dakota’s Ardie Maier, rode Duffy’s Winchester to 87 points and an $874 win. Maier entered the weekend less than $2000 out of the 12th and final spot in the season standings with the weekend win cutting that deficit still further.
For complete unofficial results from Medicine Lodge, go to rodeocanada.com
Next up on the CPRA schedule is Oldstoberfest, September 13 and 14 in Olds, Alberta.
Courtesy of the CPRA/Barb Poulsen
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 55 events annually with a total payout exceeding $5.7 million. The organization holds their premiere event – the Canadian Finals Rodeo (CFR) – at Westerner Park in Red Deer, AB, October 29 – November 3, 2019 and will oversee the Finning Pro Tour Finals September 1 in Armstrong, BC and their inaugural Maple Leaf Circuit Finals November 27-30, 2019 at the Canadian Western Agribition in Regina, SK. Follow the CPRA on Twitter and Instagram @prorodeocanada, ‘Like’ Canadian Professional Rodeo Association on Facebook or online at RodeoCanada.com.
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