Eckville's Ben Andersen wins Canadian saddle bronc title at CFR in Edmonton
The 27-year-old ended Zeke Thurston's six-year hold on the championship, edging him by just $3,700 in season earnings.
Eckville-area cowboy Ben Andersen claimed his first Canadian saddle bronc riding championship at the 52nd Canadian Finals Rodeo, held at Rogers Place in Edmonton. The win ended rodeo star Zeke Thurston's six-year run atop the event.
Andersen entered the final round leading both the aggregate standings and finals money, having posted two first-place and two second-place finishes over four rounds. Thurston pushed hard with a 91.5-point ride in the last round, but Andersen answered with an 88.75-point ride on Squash Blossom Steely Dan to protect his aggregate lead and secure the title. He finished the season with $118,895 in earnings, just $3,700 ahead of Thurston.
The CFR drew 43,903 fans across the week and featured several other notable results. Bareback rider Orin Larsen won his second Canadian title with a record combined season and finals total of $110,011. Austin Hines claimed his first tie-down roping championship, while Kavis Drake and Denim Ross topped the team roping standings. Bradi Whiteside rebounded from an opening no-time to win the breakaway roping title and her fourth straight Women's All-Around honour, and Karli Cowie earned her first barrel racing championship.
Steer wrestler Scott Guenthner capped his career with a sixth Canadian title, tying the all-time record, before announcing his retirement from professional rodeo. The next CFR is scheduled for October 6-9, 2027, also at Rogers Place.
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