Miss Rodeo Canada says rodeo is back and better than ever at CFR Trade Show

“My favorite part has just been that rodeo in Canada is back and better than ever,” said the 2022 Miss Rodeo Canada Jayden Calvert.

“Our Pro Rodeo Association had a very triumphant year after the pandemic. We had many rodeos continue on again this year and we even had some few fresh ones come into the mix so that’s been cool to be a part of and we’re going to continue to flourish and thrive.”

Crowned at last year’s CFR on Nov. 5, 2021, Calvert has spent the year as an ambassador and advocate for all Canadian pro rodeos, the sport and the agricultural industry.

After the Wrangler Jean Jacket Decorating on the Trade Show Stage on Wednesday, the three Miss Rodeo 2023 contestants will be participating in a Horsemanship and Public Speaking Event on Thursday. The new crowning will take place on Friday, November 4, following a fashion show during the day.

Calvert will remain in her position until the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas this December. The three contestants include Miss Rodeo Wainwright Harleigh Zack, Miss Ponoka Stampede Mackenzie Skeels, and Miss Strathmore Stampede Martina Holdkamp.

The Drayton Valley native says she has been attending the CFR her whole life, a commonality among spectators like Lacombe barrel racer Mercedes Kennedy, 17, and friend Harleigh Henderson, 15.

Henderson says she is particularly excited to see the Breakaway Roping, newly added last year. The fast-paced event consists of a roper and horse on the heeler’s right side. Once the calf is released into the arena, it must break the barrier before the roper. The roper’s horse then chases behind the calf to rope it in a bell-collar catch and must break a small string that ties the rope to the saddle’s horn.

“The sport is becoming so much bigger and I think that now that they added that here, it’s going to bring even more people than they already have,” she said.

Alongside shopping at the Trade Show, Henderson says she likes watching the barrel racing and team roping events as those have been her personal sports of choice since an infant. From Alix, she says she competed in a few pro rodeos this year.

This rodeo-focused upbringing runs deep in western roots for many rural Albertans, says Provost-native and CFR competitor Scott Guenthner.

CFR steer wrestler Scott Guenthner at the Trade Show on Wednesday. (rdnewsNOW/Alessia Proietti)

CFR steer wrestling champion in 2018 and 2019, this will be his seventh CFR after 13 years in the sport.

“It’s in my family blood. It’s fun, I enjoy the high speed and going fast. You got to twist the steer to the ground so it’s all technique,” he said.

On Wednesday, Guenthner ranked seventh in the steer wrestling competition with a 5.7 second time stock. He still holds the highest season earnings so far at $49,821.60. Tanner Milan of Cochrane ranked first for the round at 3.8 seconds.

Tanner Milan of Cochrane, Alberta ranks first on Wednesday in steer wrestling at 3.8 seconds. (Canadian Professional Rodeo Association and Westerner Park, Red Deer)

Free to the public, the Trade Show takes place at 11:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. from Wednesday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. on Saturday and 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. on Sunday.

For more information, visit the CFR website.

by Alessia Proietti

Miss Rodeo Canada says rodeo is back and better than ever at CFR Trade Show

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