ProRodeo Sports News - November 19, 2021

CANADIAN COWBOYS

Northern Exposure

Dawson Hay tied the PRCA world record on July 31 at the Hardgrass Bronc Match in Pollockville, Alberta. He went for a 95-point ride on Calgary Stampede’s Wild Cherry.

Clay Guardipee photo

Canadian saddle bronc riders take over NFR

BY TANNER BARTH O ver the years the sport of rodeo has become more and more popular in the country of Canada. Now in 2021, the country’s biggest stars have once again found themselves in the spotlight headed into the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge. There will be nine Canadian cowboys competing at this year’s NFR, with five of those coming in the saddle bronc riding. That group is led by Wildwood, Alberta, native, Dawson Hay, who is sitting fourth in the PRCA | RAMWorld Standings headed into Las Vegas. “It means the world to all of us (representing Canada), because it’s something I think we’ve all dreamed about of since we were just little,” said Hay, 23. “Back in the day there weren’t as many Canadians going and now you see so many coming up in the sport. I wouldn’t doubt it if there’s seven or eight

next year that qualify for the Finals.” The emergence of Canadian saddle bronc riders competing on the sport’s biggest stage didn’t happen overnight. Incoming stars like Kolby Wanchuk were quick to credit those who laid the groundwork for them to be in this position. “We have a lot of generations before us that are willing to help,” said Wanchuk, who qualified for his first NFR in 2021. “We all got to watch Zeke (Thurston) and Clay (Elliott) come in a few years before us and prove that it can be done. We saw that it could be done, and we all just pushed each other to get there.” Two-time PRCAWorld Champion (2016,2019) ZekeThurston is another prime example of the success that has come from north of the border. He said if someone is serious about learning the sport and what it takes to be great there’s no better place to be than Canada.

ProRodeo Sports News 11/19/2021

WRANGLER NATIONAL FINALS RODEO

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