LAVALLEY RIDES AGAIN: CANADIAN CONTESTANTS INVADE TEXAS
March 12 , 2009

Dusty LaValley is set to ride again in Texas next week, but it’s doubtful he’s complaining. The two-time Canadian bareback champion from Crooked Creek, Alta. placed third in the bareback riding aggregate at Rodeo Houston, adding an extra $1,000 to the $1,500 he earned over three rounds in Super Series III for a grand total of $2,500. This means that LaValley, who placed second overall in the bareback event in Houston last year, will compete in one of two semifinal rounds, March 18 and 19.

Also competing in one of those semifinals is team roper Marty Becker of Cardston, Alta. The heeler and his American roping partner David Key finished first in both points and earnings for an aggregate score of 22.7 and $9,025.

But while some Canadian competitors celebrated success south of the border, there are a few who’ll be cutting their trips short. Davey Shields and Matt Lait placed sixth and eighth overall in the bareback riding. Kendra Edey placed sixth in the barrel racing aggregate, while Suzanne DePaoli finished ninth in the same event. Luke Butterfield of Ponoka, Alta. took third place and $500 in round two of the saddle bronc riding, but didn’t place high enough in the first and third rounds to move on to the semis.

Steer wrestler Lee Graves, however, wrapped up Super Series III with $2,500 in his pocket and a chance to earn more at the $1.4 million rodeo at Reliant Stadium.

With LaValley, Becker and Graves advancing, this brings the number of Canadians competing in the Rodeo Houston semis to five. Steer wrestler Curtis Cassidy and world champion barrel racer Lindsay Sears both qualified in Super Series I last week.