By Troy Gillard (Twitter: @Troy_Gillard)

Alberta cowboys claim titles at Canadian Finals Rodeo

Nov 4, 2018 | 4:46 PM

Several local cowboys came out on top as the Canadian Finals Rodeo came to a rousing conclusion Sunday afternoon at the Enmax Centrium.

Ponoka cowboy Wacey Finkbeiner was a double winner in bull riding, claiming both the Canadian and CFR aggregate titles. Finkbeiner took home a cool $73,729.02 for his work this season.

Finkbeiner rode five bulls in a row this week before being bucked off on Sunday. He’s the first cowboy to ride five straight at the CFR since Chad Bespulg in 2011.

“I wish I could’ve finished it off with a bang and get that last bull rode possibly win the round,” Finkbeiner lamented, “but the way it all worked out this week, going five for six and the average win and the overall win, it’s a pretty special week for me.”

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Scott Guenther of Provost was crowned the Canadian champion in steer wrestling ($69,899.44). Guenther turned in a time of 3.6 seconds on Sunday, as did Donalda’s Cody Cassidy, just behind Ponoka’s Craig Weisgerber who turned in a scorching 3.5 to take the day money.

“It’s been my goal since I started in pro rodeo. It’s actually been a goal my whole life,” Guenther said of his Canadian title. “My dad won it in back in (1981), so following in his footsteps it’s a big honour to actually do it.”

Guenther said he enjoyed competing at the first CFR to be held in Red Deer.

“It was awesome. I think the atmosphere here was really intense – definitely a lot louder than, I think, in Edmonton. That may be just because of the capacity but I think it was a real good step up. There (were) things that got changed, but it’s better than nothing, that’s for sure.”

Texas cowboy Richmond Champion claimed the bareback season championship while Manitoban Orin Larsen took the CFR aggregate. Champion and Larsen tied for top spot on Sunday with scores of 88.25.

Levi Simpson of Ponoka and Jeremy Buehler of Arrowwood, Alberta claimed the Canadian and CFR team roping titles.

Clay Elliott of Nanton claimed the Canadian title in saddle bronc ($82,294.67), edging out Zeke Thurston of Big Valley, while Layton Green of Meeting Creek won the CFR aggregate.

In tie-down roping, Shane Hanchey of Sulphur, Louisiana won both the Canadian and CFR championships ($66,338.34).

Callahan Crossley from Hermiston, Oregon sped her way to both the Canadian and CFR championships ($99,190.21).

Stettler team roper and tie-down roper Riley Warren walked away with the Canadian high point championship, finishing with $72,831.35 on the season to edge out Kyle Lucas of Carstairs ($71,666.50).

“I knew it was going to be close, so it wasn’t a total shock because I was leading it before today,” said Warren. “But once I found out, maybe it hasn’t really sunk in yet, it’s pretty cool.

“I guess it goes in the history books and they can’t take it away from me,” he joked. “I’ve dreamed about having a championship since I was a young kid and to finally have it happen is unreal.”

Jacob Gardner of Dawson Creek, BC won the Canadian all-around championship ($23,121.21).

This year’s novice champions were Mason Helmeczi of Sundre in bareback, Copper Thatcher of Wildwood, Alberta in saddle bronc and Tristen Manning of Yellowhead County in steer riding.