2009 CANADIAN FINALS PERSONNEL ANNOUNCED
October 22, 2009

The Canadian Professional Rodeo Association (CPRA) recently announced the 2009 year-end award winners in the stock of the year and timed event horse of the year categories. Now it’s time to congratulate our hardworking two-legged friends.

The Ponoka Stampede at Ponoka, Alta. was voted as the committee of the year (large rodeos) for the third time since 2001.

The award for smaller rodeos goes to the Field of Dreams Pro Rodeo committee at La Crete, Alta., last year’s large rodeo committee of the year winner, while the Mighty Fraser Rodeo committee at Abbotsford, B.C. earned the brand new committee of the year award for medium sized rodeos.

The barrel racers have acknowledged two committees with their most improved ground award. The Manitoba Stampede Valley Ag Society, who put on the Manitoba Stampede in Morris, Man., tied with Grande Prairie for the honour.

The ladies also awarded the committees for the Maple Creek Cowtown Pro Rodeo in Saskatchewan (best small) and the IPE & Stampede at Armstrong, B.C. (best large) with the Golden Rake awards for the best ground.

The CPRA is also pleased to announce the complete roster of personnel for the 2009 Canadian Finals Rodeo (CFR).

Former bronc rider Lester Gurnett will return to the arena for the 17th time as a Wrangler/Super 8 Pro Rodeo official judge. Joining him are fellow judges Eugene Auclair, Tom Barr, Jim Dunn, Ward Henry, and Perry Gurski, all of whom have judged at previous CFRs.

Judy Kesler is the CFR arena secretary for the ninth consecutive year, while Kesler’s daughter Berva Dawn Kesler, will be the assistant. And, Brenda Vold and Maxine Baird will once again be the CFR timers.

As previously reported, also heading to the CFR are pick-up men Gary Rempel of Fort Shaw, MT, making his record-breaking 12th appearance at the Finals, and Jason Resch of Fort Assiniboine, Alta., who makes his third straight appearance.

Bullfighting cousins Scott and Jesse Byrne, Saskatoon, Sask., are in the arena together for the first time at CFR. For Scott, of Wainwright, Alta., this is his eighth consecutive CFR appearance. This year’s alternate is bullfighter David Sandilands of Esterhazy, Sask. Joining them in the arena for the seventh year in a row is barrelman Ash Cooper of Senlac, Sask.