It was opening night of the Canadian Finals Rodeo at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta.
Twelve men went up against what many long-time observers called the rankest pen of bulls ever assembled for a CFR. One man rode. That man, 20 year-old Leader, Saskatchewan talent, Grady Young, entered CFR 52’s opening round less than $200.00 behind season leader, Lonnie West.
The three-time CFR qualifier bested Legend Rodeo’s 470 Huckleberry for 87.5 points, a round win that netted the Young bank account $29,488 with $11,550.50 - the amount allotted for a round win - counting in the standings. That gives the three-time CFR qualifier an $11.000 lead heading into might number two.
“I've seen that bull a bunch,” Young said. “He's been to the NFR, I think a few times. I've seen him there, seen him at rodeos, and Legend Rodeo is actually sponsoring me, so I kind of try to keep track of their bulls a little bit. Any bull of theirs that I've ended up getting this year, I've rode and I've got paid. They've helped me get to the pay window quite a few times.”
This pay window might have yielded one of the largest payouts of the second-generation cowboy’s already highly productive career. And tomorrow and through-out the week Grady Young will be trying to build on the opening night win to nail down a first Canadian Bull Riding title.
Meanwhile, at the other end of the arena, tie-down roper, Austin Hines turned in an outstanding 7.7 second run in the tie-down roping event to edge 2022 Canadian champion, Ty Harris, by a tenth of a second for the big cheque. Hines, despite his immense talent, is one of the under-celebrated, unsung ropers who quietly goes about the business of fashioning an outstanding rodeo career.
“It's always good to get here and get started for the week,” the 25 year-old Marwayne, Alberta cowboy noted. “We tied calves this morning and I liked that calf when we saw the draw come out. I got a good start, got my rope on her in a hurry, and it just worked out in my favour.
“I ride a horse called Gator; he's 15 now and I've had him for three years. I feel like he's upped my game a lot. I started roping a lot better once I started riding him. He fits this set-up great. I made some good runs on him last year and got things kicked off better in 2026.”
And things could get better. Tonight’s go-round win moves him from 4th place to second in the tie-down roping standings, less than $700 behind season leader, Logan Bird.
Other Highlights:
Bareback Riding: The sweet pen of horses wasn’t so sweet to everyone, but season leader Orin Larsen added to his lead with the go round win aboard Calgary Stampede’s 6 year old gelding H-52 Harry Money.
Steer Wrestling: In a tough round of steer wrestling, Landon Beardsworth took the victory lap with a 3.5 second run. He leaps from 8th to 2nd, although season leader Scott Guenthner placed right behind him in the round and sits $38,000 ahead of the field.
Ladies Barrel Racing: In the major event where everyone entered CFR 52 within a go-round win of each other, a few tipped barrels made for some interesting changes in the standings. Jennifer Neudorf leapt from 11th into 2nd place with her lightning fast 13.76 second run, while two-time Canadian Champion Taylor Manning made enough from her 5th place finish to take the lead for the title.
Saddle Bronc: The rank pen of horses proved challenging for some, but six-time and reigning champion Zeke Thurston put some distance between himself and the field with his go-round winning 85.50 score aboard Calgary Stampede’s 9-year old chestnut mare C-75 Cracking the Till.
Team Roping: Despite the round being wide open by the time they made their run, Kavis Drake and Denim Ross still made the same run they always do, coming tight in 4.3 seconds. With some opening night issues before finishing their run, Kash Bonnett and Logan Cullen still got a time, but now only sit $330 ahead of Drake and Ross.
Ladies Breakaway Roping: On a night when a lot of the ropers came up empty, two time Canadian Champion Kendal Pierson took care of business with a go-round winning 2.2 second run. The win moves her up to 4th in the standings, but the Wardlow, AB cowgirl would need to win two more rounds to catch season leader Bradi Whiteside.
Novice Bareback: Quaide Skjonsberg set the tone for his title defence, spurring Vold’s G86 Grey Matter to an 81.50 point ride.
Novice Saddle Bronc: Cooper McNiven matched up well with Outlaw Buckers W42 Comeback Red for a 74.75 point ride, and with the sudden death format and only three rounds in the novice events, that will go a long way towards his title aspirations.
Junior Steer Riding: Gunner Armstrong made a great ride on C-Bar’s feisty F01 Toxic Cooper on opening night, earning a 77.00 score. He still sits just under $3,000 behind season leader and 2025 champion Ryder Topolinski, who placed third on opening night.
The action continues tomorrow evening once again at Rogers Place, 6:30 pm start time.
For complete unofficial results go to rodeocanada.com
For CFR ticket information and a schedule of CFR events happening around the city, visit cfr.ca
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About CPRA
The Canadian Professional Rodeo Association (CPRA) with headquarters in Airdrie, Alta. is the official sanctioning body for Professional Rodeo in Canada. The CPRA approves 60+ events annually with a total payout just shy of $8 million. The organization oversees the Massey Ferguson Pro Tour Finale September 2-5 in Armstrong, BC, holds their premiere event–the Canadian Finals Rodeo (CFR) at Rogers Place in Edmonton, AB October 7-10 and sanctions the Maple Leaf Circuit Finals November 25-28 as part of Canadian Western Agribition in Regina, SK. For details, please see RodeoCanada.com
The Canadian Finals Rodeo is the premier rodeo event in Canada, bringing together the nation's top rodeo athletes to compete for national championships. Powered by ATB and proudly produced by Explore Edmonton, the Canadian Finals Rodeo is where the best rodeo athletes come together to compete, celebrate, and make history. Held annually in Edmonton, the CFR is a celebration of Western heritage, sport, and community. The Canadian Finals Rodeo takes place at Rogers Place Arena from October 7-10, 2026.
Explore Edmonton is the Destination Marketing and Management Organization for Edmonton, connecting experiences, events, venues, and stories to attract visitors and elevate the city’s profile. The organization drives economic, cultural, and community impact through the visitor economy, while stewarding key venues and producing iconic events.
Photos and video footage of tonight’s events are available for media. Please contact us for more information or to schedule an interview:
Tya Waterman, Carissa Barke
CFR Media Centre e. cfrmedia@exploreedmonton.com
p. 587-930-8198
or
Barb Poulsen
CPRA Communications and Media
Phone: 403 625-9225
Email: media@rodeocanada.com