The lights are down on the 49th edition of Canadian Finals Rodeo and southwestern Alberta can boast an excellent showing by local cowboy K’s Thomson of Lundbreck, Bradi Whiteside of Longview, Shaya Biever of Claresholm, Ty Taypotat on Nanton and others from southwestern Alberta.

K’s Thomson – saddle bronc

He saved the best for last. After a roller-coaster day at CFR on Saturday, where he scored his best and worst times of the first five rounds, K’s Thomson rode Calgary Stampede’s Dandy Delight to a third-place finish in the final round this afternoon.

The 86.25-point ride was worth $4,548.28, which, along with $7,181.50 earned in the first five rounds and $3,231.67 aggregate earnings, brings Thomson’s season total to $31,827.56.

He heads home to Lundbreck with just shy of $15,000 in his pocket and finishes the season in ninth place.

Round 1

Fourth with 84.25 points on Big Stone’s Second Thoughts – $2,154.45

11th in total season earnings with $19,020.45

Round 2

Three-way tie for third with 84.75 points on Calgary Stampede’s Special Delivery – $1,915.17

Third in the aggregate with 169 points

11th in total season earnings with $20,935.62

Round 3

Fifth with 84.75 points on Big Stone Rodeo’s Xena Warrior – $957.53

Third in the aggregate with 253.75 points

10th in total season earnings with $21,893.16

Round 4

Fourth with 86 points on Big Stone Rodeo’s Give or Take – $2,154.45

Second in the aggregate with 339.75 points

10th in total season earnings with $24,047.61

Round 5

12th with 78.25 points on Outlaw Buckers’ Comeback Red

Fifth in the aggregate with 418 points

10th in total season earnings with $24,047.61

Round 6

Third with 86.25 points on Calgary Stampede’s Dandy Delight

Fourth in the aggregate with 504.25 points in six rides

Ninth in total season earnings with $31,827.56

About K’s

The 24-year-old from Lundbreck turned pro in 2021 and is participating in his third CFR – novice saddle bronc in 2019 and saddle bronc in 2021 and 2023.

He qualified for CFR with 2023 earnings of $16,966.11 and 11th place in the standings. K’s has recovered from a hip injury and tied for second at his hometown rodeo in Pincher Creek this year.

Outside of pro rodeo, he is a rancher and horse trainer with a special interest in training dogs. His parents, Kirk and Shandel, are former CFR competitors in saddle bronc and barrel racing. Uncles Kyle and Cody Thomson are also former bronc riders.

Bradi Whiteside – ladies barrels and breakaway roping

Not only is Bradi Whiteside going home with winnings of about $18,000 in barrel racing and $7,200 in breakaway roping, she earned the title of All-Around Women’s Champion.

Bradi’s fifth-place rank in breakaway is unchanged after CFR but she moved up from seventh to six in barrels.

Her second-place in the average for barrels accounts for $10,400 of her prize money.

Round 1 – Barrels

Fourth with 13.88 seconds – $2,154.45

Seventh in total season earnings with $21,396.45

Round 2 – Barrels

Third with 13.98 seconds – $4,548.28

Second in the aggregate with 27.86 seconds in two runs

Seventh in total season earnings with $25,944.98

Round 3 – Barrels

Ninth with 14.29 seconds

Fourth in the aggregate with 42.15 seconds in three runs

Eighth in total season earnings with $36,775.45

Round 4 – Barrels

Sixth with 13.87 seconds

Third in the aggregate with 56.02 seconds in five runs

Eighth in total season earnings with $25,944.98

Round 5 – Barrels

Sixth with 13.92 seconds

Third in the aggregate with 69.94 seconds in five runs

Eighth in total season earnings with $25,944.98

Round 6 – Barrels

Fifth with 13.9 seconds – $957.53

Second in the aggregate with 83.84 seconds in five runs – $10,413.17

Sixth in total season earnings $37,315.68

Round 1 – Breakaway

Third with 2.3 seconds – $3,377.80

Fifth in total season earnings with $17,494.75

Round 2 – Breakaway

No time

Tied for ninth in the aggregate with 2.3 seconds in one 1

Fifth in total season earnings with $17,494.75

Round 3 – Breakaway

Tied for second with 2.0 seconds – $3,800.03

Seventh in the aggregate with 4.3 seconds in two runs

Fifth in total season earnings with $21,294.78

About Bradi

The 21-year-old Longview cowgirl turned pro in 2017 and is participating in her fifth CFR. This includes qualifying for breakaway roping in 2022 and 2023, and in ladies barrel racing from 2021 to 2023.

Bradi qualified for CFR with 2023 earnings of $14,116 and sixth place in the breakaway roping standings, and $19,242 for seventh in barrels. A highlight of her year was qualifying for the Calgary Stampede in both of her events.

Outside of pro rodeo, Bradi keeps busy as a horse trainer.

Her sister, Kylie Whiteside, is a CFR ’49 competitor in breakaway roping and, like Bradi, is a barrel racer. Their dad, Travis Whiteside was the 1997 Canadian bareback champion.

Shaya Biever – breakaway roping

Shaya’s first-place aggregate winnings propelled her to highest total earnings in breakaway roping and the champion’s saddle for 2023.

Coming to CFR ranked fifth in her event,  Shaya is going home in top spot and about $9,000 richer.

Round 1 – Breakaway

Fifth with 2.5 seconds – $1,688.90

Fifth in total season earnings with $20,199.73

Round 2 – Breakaway

Tied for first with 2.3 seconds – $4,644.48

First in the aggregate with 4.8 seconds in two runs

Second in total season earnings with $24,844.21

Round 3 – Breakaway

Seventh with 2.8 seconds

First in the aggregate with 7.6 seconds in three runs – $7,599.90

First in total season earnings with $32,444.11

About Shaya

The 23-year-old Claresholm cowgirl turned pro in 2022 and this year’s Canadian Finals Rodeo is her second (2022 and 2023).

Shaya qualified for CFR with 2023 earnings of $18,510.83 and third place in the breakaway roping standings. Highlights of her year include winning rides at the SMS Equipment Pro Tour Finals, Teepee Creek Rodeo and Wainwright Rodeo.

Outside of pro rodeo, Shaya works as a horse trainer with an interest in horse rehabilitation.

Her brother, Logan Biever, is a champion bull rider.

Ty Taypotat – bareback

With an 87.25-point ride on Calgary Stampede’s Fresh Check, Ty Taypotat won Round 4 of bareback riding on Saturday afternoon and had strong scores in all but his fifth-round ride.

Taypotat came into CFR ranked fourth and went out in the same position, with $55,723.23 winnings for the year. 

His round earnings in Red Deer totalled $23,938,33 with an additional $3,231.67 earned for placing fourth in the aggregate.

Round 1

Fifth with 83 points on Calgary Stampede’s Zulu Warrior– $957.53

Fourth in total season earnings with $29,510.53

Round 2

Third with 83.5 points on Duane Kesler Rodeo’s Payday – $4,548.28

Fourth in the aggregate with 166.5 points

Fourth in total season earnings with $34,059.04

Round 3

Second with 87.25 points on Calgary Stampede’s Disco Party – $6,9548.28

Tied for third in the aggregate with 253.75 points

Fifth in total season earnings with $41,001.16

Round 4

First with 87.25 points on Calgary Stampede’s Fresh Check – $9,335.95

Second in the aggregate with 341 points

Fourth in total season earnings with $50,528.77

Round 5

Seventh with 72.5 points on Big Stone Rodeo’s Mayhem

Fourth in the aggregate with 413.5 points

Fourth in total season earnings with $50,528.77

Round 6

Fourth with 85 points on Calgary Stampede’s Yippee Kibbitz – $2,154.45

Fourth in the aggregate with 498.50 points – $3,231.67

Fourth in total season earnings with $55,723.23

About Ty

The 31-year-old from Nanton turned pro in 2011 and is participating in his 11th CFR – 2011, 2012, 2014 to 2019 and 2021 to 2023.

Ty qualified for CFR with 2023 earnings of $28,553.23 and fourth place in the standings. The highlight of his year was getting married.

Outside of pro rodeo, you can find Ty flipping houses with his wife and fixing up the old Cummins.

Logan Bird – tie-down roping

Coming into CFR ranked second in tie-down roping, Logan Bird’s highest finish in six rounds was fourth place. He earned $3,111.98 in the go rounds and another $6,822.42 for third in the aggregate. 

While he dropped from second to fifth for total season earnings, he’s taking home nearly $10,000 for his efforts in Red Deer.

Round 1

Fourth with 9.5 seconds – $2,154.45

Second in total season earnings with $36,775.45

Round 2

Eighth with 10.5 seconds

Fifth in the aggregate with 20 seconds for two calves

Second in total season earnings with $36,775.45

Round 3

Seventh with 13 seconds

Fourth in the aggregate with 33 seconds for three calves

Third in total season earnings with $36,775.45

Round 4

10th with 13.2 seconds

Fourth in the aggregate with 46.2 seconds for four calves

Fourth in total season earnings with $36,775.45

Round 5

Seventh with 10.5 seconds

Third in the aggregate with 56.7 seconds for five calves

Fifth in total season earnings with $36,775.45

Round 6

Fifth with 9.2 seconds – $957.53

Third in the aggregate with 65.9 seconds for six calves – $6,822.42

Fifth in total season earnings with $44,555.40

About Logan

The 29-year-old from Nanton turned pro in 2013 and is participating in his eighth CFR – 2013, 2016 to 2019 and 2021 to 2023.

He qualified for CFR with 2023 earnings of $34,621 and second place in the standings. Logan won the Falkland, High River and Cranbrook rodeos this year.

Outside of pro rodeo, he is a horse trainer and a big sports fan. His sister, Lakota Bird, is a CFR contestant in breakaway roping.

Lakota Bird – breakaway roping

Coming into Canadian Finals Rodeo ranked 10th in breakaway roping, Lakota Bird improved her standing to seventh with over $8,000 in go-round and aggregate winnings. She finishes the year with $19,742.41.

Round 1 – Breakaway

Fourth with 2.4 seconds – $2,533.35

Eighth in total season earnings with $14,253.56

Round 2 – Breakaway

10th with 4.4 seconds 

Seventh in the aggregate with 6.8 seconds in two runs

11th in total season earnings with $14,253.56

Round 3 – Breakaway

Fifth with 2.2 seconds – $1,688.90

Fourth in the aggregate with 9.0 seconds in three runs –$3,799.95

Seventh in total season earnings with $19,742.41

About Lakota

The 27-year-old Nanton cowgirl turned pro in 2019 and this year’s Canadian Finals Rodeo is her third (2021 to 2023). 

Lakota qualified for CFR with 2023 earnings of $11,720. and 10th place in the breakaway roping standings. The highlight of her year so far was splitting first at the Rocky Pro Rodeo.

Outside of the arena, Lakota works in accounting at the Cowboy Country Western Store.

Her sister, Logan Bird, is also at CFR ’49 in the tie-down roping event.

Kylie Whiteside – breakaway roping

Kylie Whiteside of Longview improved her ranking from 11th to ninth with a lone round win and fifth in the aggregate. 

Round 1 – Breakaway

Tied for sixth with 2.9 seconds 

11th in total season earnings with $12,138.83

Round 2 – Breakaway

Third with 2.5 seconds – $3,377.80

Third in the aggregate with 5.4 seconds in two runs

Ninth in total season earnings with $15,516.63

Round 3 – Breakaway

Ninth with 11.7 seconds

Fifth in the aggregate with 17.1 seconds in three runs – $2,533.30

Ninth in total season earnings with $18,049.93

About Kylie

The 23-year-old Longview cowgirl turned pro in 2016 and this year’s Canadian Finals Rodeo is her second. This includes qualifying for ladies barrel racing in 2018 and 2022, and in breakaway roping from 2021 to 2023.

Kylie qualified for CFR with 2023 earnings of $12,138.83 and ninth place in the breakaway roping standings. Highlights of her year include winning the Sundre rodeo and making the short-round at Wainwright.

Outside of pro rodeo, Kylie is an equine dentist and horse trainer.

Her sister, Bradi Whiteside, is a CFR ’49 competitor in breakaway roping and barrel racing. Their dad, Travis Whiteside was the 1997 Canadian bareback champion.

Hayden MacKay – junior steer riding

A solid final ride meant Hayden MacKay didn’t leave Canadian Finals Rodeo with empty pockets. His score of 79.5 was the top ride in the fourth and final round of junior steer riding, earning him $850 and bumping him to fifth spot for overall earnings.

Round 1

Bucked off

Round 2

Sixth with 66 points

Sixth in total season earnings with $4511.69

Round 3

SLAP

Sixth in total season earnings with $4511.69

Round 4

First with 79.5 – $850

Fifth in total season earnings with $5,361.69

About Hayden

Fifteen-year-old Hayden turned pro in 2022 and this year’s Canadian Finals Rodeo is his first.

The Nanton teen qualified for CFR with 2023 earnings of $4,511.69 and sixth place in junior steer riding. Hayden won the Pincher Creek and Raymond rodeos along with the Koye Larsen Memorial. A highlight was two go-round wins at the Calgary Stampede, with a score of 80 in the second round.

This young cowboy enjoys riding and running, and can be found getting ready for the next event.

Hayden’s dad, Ian MacKay, and grandpa Stuart Derochie were bull riders, while his mom, Layne Derochie, and sister Luxxin MacKay are barrel racers.

Jenna Dallyn – breakaway roping

Unable to break into the top five, Jenna Dallyn leaves CFR ’49 with no winnings and a drop from second overall to sixth for the year.

Round 1 – Breakaway

Tied for sixth with 2.9 seconds 

Second in total season earnings with $20,314.18

Round 2 – Breakaway

Seventh with 3.2 seconds

Fourth in the aggregate with 6.1 seconds in two runs

Fourth in total season earnings with $20,314.18

Round 3 – Breakaway

No Time

Ninth in the aggregate with 6.1 seconds in two runs

Sixth in total season earnings with $20,314.18

About Jenna

Twenty-five-year-old Jenna Dallyn of Nanton turned pro in 2021 and this year’s Canadian Finals Rodeo is her third (2021 to 2023).

She qualified for CFR with 2023 earnings of $20,314.18 and second place in the breakaway roping standings. Highlights of her year include winning co-champion at the Rimbey Rodeo and making the semi-finals at Cheyanne Frontier Days.

Outside of pro rodeo, Jenna works as an accountant and has a special interest in training horses.

Her dad, Rocky Dallyn, is a four-time Canadian champion heeler, while cousin Grady Quam is a two-time CFR qualifying header and uncle Jeff Quam is a multiple CFR heeling qualifier.

Pascal Isabelle – bareback

Pascal Isabelle drew out after the second round of Canadian Finals Rodeo. He finishes the season with total earnings of $20,250.94 and dropped from ninth to 11th place for total earnings when all was said and done at CFR.

Round 1

11th with 77.75 on Vold’s Mucho Dinero

Ninth in total season earnings with $20,250.94

Round 2

Ninth with 78.25 points on Calgary Stampede’s Shadow Ride

10th in total season earnings with $20,250.94

Rounds 3, 4, 5, 6 – DR

11th in total season earnings with $20,250.94

About Pascal

Pascal hails from Montreal but calls Nanton home. The 31-year-old turned pro in 2015 and is participating in his fourth CFR – 2016 and 2021 to 2023.

He qualified for CFR with 2023 earnings of $20,250.94 and 11th place in the standings. Pascal was champion of Medicine Hat’s indoor and outdoor rodeos, won the long round at Salinas Rodeo, and qualified for the NFR Open and Cloverdale short round.

Outside of pro rodeo, Pascal is an entrepreneur who loves connecting with nature and sports like skiing, swimming, hiking, biking and climbing.

His girlfriend Rachelle Riggers and his brother Eric Isabelle are also rodeo athletes.

Canadian Rodeo Champions crowned at CFR

Congratulations to the 2023 Canadian Champions!

Lynette Brodoway – Barrel Racing

Clint Laye – Bareback

Scott Guenthner – Steer Wrestling

Team Roping – Brady Tryan and Calgary Smith

Saddle Bronc – Zeke Thurston

Tie-down Roping – Haven Meged

Bull Riding – Edgar Duzao

Breakaway Roping – Shaya Biever

Steer Riding – Hayden Mulvey

Novice Bareback – Chase Siemens

Novice Saddle Bronc – Jaret Cooper

All-Around Cowboy – Logan Spady

All-Around Cowgirl – Brandi Whiteside

Go to rodeocanada.com for Canadian Finals Rodeo results.