Photo from left to right: Back Row – Casey Thomson, Ryan Collett, Garrett Cullum; Front Row – Julia Holtkamp, Taylor Cholach, and Elyse Terpsma. (Red Deer Polytechnic/ supplied)

By rdnewsNOW staff

season wrapped up

RDP rodeo team returns from CCRA Finals with hardware

May 22, 2025 | 3:29 PM

Upon their return from the Canadian Collegiate Rodeo Association (CCRA) Finals, the Red Deer Polytechnic rodeo team did not come home empty-handed

At the CCRA Finals from May 16 to 18 in Rimbey, the Kings and Queens earned two championships and two prestigious awards.

“I am very proud of the Kings and Queens for their hard work and accomplishments this season,” says Trina Carroll, Student Life Coordinator, Red Deer Polytechnic. “Since the inception of the RDP Rodeo team in 2013, we have qualified for the CCRA Finals each year, highlighting the dedication of the student-athletes and coaches, as well as the strength of our program.”

Casey Thomson became the third straight Kings rodeo athlete to win the All-Around High Point Cowboy of the Year award.

The Longview, Alta. native finished the season leading in the bareback riding leaderboard and captured the 2024-25 CCRA Bareback Championship. To win the title, he posted scores of 70, 71, and 78.

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Meanwhile, Taylor Cholach earned the Darrell Paulovich Memorial Award and as a result, received a $1,000 scholarship and a commemorative memorabilia piece. Cholach was chosen as the award recipient for demonstrating positivity, resilience and dedication to rodeo.

In addition, Garrett Cullum won the Steer Wrestling Reserve Championship with a 4.9 second ride while Ryan Collett finished tied for sixth in tie down roping and 10th in steer wrestling.

In Pole Bending, Elyse Terpsma finished eighth overall and Rimbey’s Julia Holtkamp placed 11th in goat tying after three performances.

A total of 82 student-athletes from BC, Alberta and Saskatchewan qualified for the CCRA Finals. Those athletes attended were on teams from RDP, Olds College of Agriculture & Technology, Lakeland College, University of Saskatchewan, Central Alberta Rodeo Team, Northern Lights College and Southern Alberta Intercollegiate Rodeo Team (SAIRT).

“The student-athletes continue to demonstrate excellence in the classroom, during competition and as leaders in communities,” Carroll added. “We are excited to build on this success as we prepare for the 2025/2026 CCRA season.”