For Immediate Release

November 14, 2022 | Red Deer, AB – Legends were made at the 48th Canadian Finals Rodeo!

The Canadian Professional Rodeo Association (CPRA) and Westerner Park are celebrating a successful CFR 48. It was an exceptional year, exceeding all three previous CFR Red Deer attendance numbers. Over 30,000 people took in the 6 performances of the rodeo itself, plus thousands more at the many free onsite and offsite activities.

Over $1.9 million in prize money and stock fees was paid out, one of the largest rodeo payouts in the world, which is fitting for the final event of the 2022 CPRA rodeo schedule.

“CFR is where the best of the best compete to become national champions in their events,” said Denny Phipps, Acting General Manager of the CPRA. “Despite some challenging weather conditions, both the two and four-legged athletes stepped up and put on six of the best rodeo performances you will find anywhere. Records were broken and Canadian titles came down to the final ride or run in many events.”

Congratulations to the Canadian Champions, who were celebrated at the closing ceremonies Sunday afternoon:
Ladies Barrel Racing – Taylor Manning                     
Bareback Riding – Ty Taypotat
Steer Wrestling – Scott Guenthner, who was also named
Cowboy of the Year                           
Team Roping – Dawson / Dillon Graham
Saddle Bronc Riding – Zeke Thurston, who set a new CFR record of 93.25 riding Canadian Horse of the Year,
OLS Tubs Get Smart.                      
Tie Down Roping – Ty Harris                                 
Bull Riding – Jared Parsonage
Ladies Breakaway – Kendal Pierson
Novice Bareback – Blake Link                               
Novice Saddle Bronc – Colten Powell
Jr Steer Riding – Nash Loewen
 
All Around Cowboy was awarded to Wyatt Hayes and the Kenny McLean Award to Jake Gardner.

In addition to the rodeo, there was opportunity for everyone to get in on the action through the variety of free onsite and offsite activities and events. The CFR Tradeshow sold out to over 80 vendors, and many attended the daily Cowboy Sh*t Hot Stoves and Watch Parties. Thousands came to the nightly buckle presentations and enjoyed the live music at the Cabaret Corral, where the party continued well into the night. There were also a number of special features, including the Alberta Hereford Showcase, Futurity of Fortunes Bucking Horse Sale, and the H Bar Auctions Horse Sale, to name a few.

Mike Olesen, Chief Executive Officer at Westerner Park, is pleased with the result of CFR “Major events are a huge undertaking. We owe a debt of gratitude to the many partners, including title sponsor ATB, and the more than 200 volunteers, plus hundreds of employees and contractors, that we were able to put on such a great week for the community.” It is estimated that CFR generated more than $35 million in economic activity for Central Alberta.

Coming together as a community to host the national rodeo championship is an incredible benefit to Central Alberta. Westerner Park is looking forward to again hosting Canada’s best rodeo contestants, along with the world-class entertainment that brings fans from across North America to Central Alberta, for CFR 49. See you in November 2023!

For complete rodeo results, visit Canadian Finals Rodeo.

-end-

For more information, please contact:
Tracy Kelly
Marketing & Communications Manager, Westerner Park
P 403.309.0207 C 403.559.9543
E tkelly@westernerpark.ca

Barb Poulsen
Communications and Media, Canadian Professional Rodeo Association
P 403 945-0903 C 403 625-9225
E media@rodeocanada.com