The Canadian Professional Rodeo Association (CPRA) is excited to announce the personnel awards, stock winners and Canadian Finals Rodeo (CFR) personnel selections for 2025. The awards are decided by votes cast by the top 20 contestants in all major events and CPRA contract members. Event specific awards are voted on by top 20 in that event only. Junior Steer riders vote only on steer riding contractor of the year.
Rodeo announcer, Brett Gardiner, the man behind the microphone at numerous Canadian events, has been awarded a record 14th consecutive Announcer of the Year award. Gardiner displays professionalism, diligence and outstanding talent in his field, making him a deserving choice once again for this recognition.
“I am very honored,” the Sylvan Lake, AB resident noted. “I feel so fortunate to have been named the Announcer of the year. It is very much a privilege to get the opportunities to tell the stories about the people, the places, and the animals that make our sport great.”
In addition to announcing rodeos and bull riding events across Canada and beyond, Gardiner has been one of the voices behind the microphone at the Canadian Finals Rodeo for eleven consecutive years.
Piper Yule and relative newcomer, Annie Simpson, have earned the 2025 Specialty Act, Dress Act of the Year, Piper for the sixth time and Annie for the first time. The young duo provide dynamic entertainment involving athlete and equine excellence. Both young women are excited to be recognized by their colleagues and peers.
Karry Krystal is the Janet Vold Memorial award winner. The Millarville, Alberta timer and rodeo secretary has won this honor for an impressive fifth consecutive time. This award commemorates the life and contributions of the late Janet Vold, and recognizes women in the sport of rodeo who go above and beyond. The namesake of the award, Janet Vold, enjoyed a rodeo secretary career that spanned three decades. Janet was a person who took the time to visit with each contestant; she was respected greatly in the rodeo world with her larger than life love and knowledge of the sport.
Krystal’s passion for the sport, along with her diligence and positive attitude are much appreciated by contractors, colleagues and contestants alike as is evidenced by her comment about the win.
“We are blessed to have an amazing group of secretaries in Canada and there’s no doubt in my mind that each and every one deserves this award,” Krystal said. “I love this sport and the people in it, and I am truly honoured to be this year’s recipient.”
The 2025 winner in the Specialty Act, Comedy category is Okotoks, Alberta’s Dennis Halstead. This year marks the eleventh time the popular veteran performer has won this award. Halstead travels the rodeo trail much of the year where he performs at events across North America and as far away as Australia.
“I’m honored to win this award once again,” Halstead said. “And what’s special to me, is that the people I work with recognize me in this way. Overall, it’s more important to me to be recognized as being a nice guy more than a great rodeo clown. I love the people I work with.”
In its inaugural year, the CPRA is now recognizing a CPRA Photographer of the Year. Initiated by CPRA-PRCA photographer Billie-Jean Duff, the 2025 accolade is an exciting addition to the Pro Rodeo Canada year-end honours.
Covy Moore has been named the first ever Canadian Photographer of the Year recipient.
“I’m just so excited to make a living in this sport,” the Airdrie, AB photographer said. “And we don’t get these opportunities every day. Winning this award builds confidence and helps with the drive to keep doing good. I’m never going to be perfect all the time, but something like this spurs a person on to keep giving it their all and making sure you’re putting out what the sport deserves.” Though not from a rodeo background himself, Moore is a long time CPRA-PRCA photographer who has shot the CFR, Calgary Stampede and numerous other rodeo, PBR bull riding and western lifestyle events.
ROUGHSTOCK, TIMED EVENT HORSES AND CONTRACTOR AWARDS
Saluting the four-legged superstars of Canadian Pro Rodeo, along with the folks who raise and care for them is an important part of the annual CPRA recognition.
In the Stock Contractor of the Year category, the Calgary Stampede is this year’s winner. The world-renowned organization, which has won this award previously, is known on both sides of the 49th parallel for raising and providing outstanding rough stock.
“It means a lot to be voted number one,” said Calgary Stampede Ranch Manager Tyler Kraft from the Stampede Ranch near Hanna, Alberta. “Anytime you can win an award voted on by your peers, it’s a big honour. We work with great people and great stock.”
The Steer Riding Contractor of the Year – voted on by the CPRA steer riders – is also a returning winner: Duane Ashbacher and the Lazy 2 Rodeo outfit continue to be revered by junior steer riders for their stock excellence and support of rodeo’s young competitors. Ashbacher has won this award consistently since its inception.
“What I appreciate about this award is that I have the respect of not only the majority of the steer riders themselves but also the parents,” commented Ashbacher. “The recognition allows me to help promote the importance of athlete development. By supplying stock that helps the steer riders as competitors and stockmen, we gain awareness of what we as contractors can do to develop buckers, keep them bucking and assist rider growth along the way; while at the same time keeping contestants as injury-free as possible so they stay with the sport as they mature. The steer riders’ support year after year continues to reinforce for me that our message is being heard and appreciated.”
Dashin Haze or Tyson, owned by Curtis Cassidy, is once again the Steer Wrestling Horse of the Year. This exceptional equine athlete is a multiple Horse of the Year winner – having been celebrated by the CPRA six times and the PRCA three times. The former graded stakes-placed race horse turned bull dogging legend has mounted cowboys at some of the biggest rodeos in both the CPRA and PRCA.
“Tyson, like Willy, (the Cassidy’s family’s 2025 PRCA Hall of Fame steer wrestling horse) and like many other good horses, has made a lot of miles and mounted a lot of guys. To see him get this award once again is exciting; it makes those nights, when it’s cold and you’re heading out to practice but you don’t really feel like it, all worthwhile.
And if one award isn’t sweet enough, two is even better. Cassidy was excited to learn that his hazing horse A Double Corona (Doubles), was named the CPRA Hazing Horse of the Year. A vital part of every steer wrestling team, the top Canadian hazing horse is being recognized for the second time ever.
“There’s lots of pressure on a hazing horse,” Cassidy noted. “They have to stand there perfectly, then blast out of the box.” With Doubles only seven years old, with less seasoning than some horses, the level of success this super speedy gelding has achieved is notable. As with a number of horses in the Cassidy program both Tyson and Doubles come from race backgrounds. (Doubles has $400,000 in race earnings alone.) An added element is the fact that both horses were bred and raised by Texas equine veterinarian Dr Tommy Hays … kind of a full circle moment when one considers that Tyson is 20 and Doubles only 7.
Tie-Down Roping Horse of the Year, for the fourth time, is Daddys Shiner Cat (Peso), owned and ridden by Nanton, Alberta’s Logan Bird. The talented buckskin has enjoyed another outstanding season mounting his owner and a number of other stand-out ropers including Kyle Lucas and Ty and Joel Harris.
“It feels good to win this award,” Bird acknowledged. “And it’s great that others recognize Peso in this way. It’s been interesting. At almost every rodeo this year, people come up to me and ask if they can get their picture taken with Peso, not with me and Peso, just with Peso. I’ve never had this before but it’s nice to see the popularity of this horse.”
Bird himself holds down the top spot in the Canadian standings with only a handful of rodeos remaining in the season.
The Ladies Barrel Racing Horse with the Most Heart is Jayden Wilson’s Fame Is Dynamite (Whiskey). The home-raised mare has shone all season with numerous wins to her credit.
“It’s hard to put into words what it means,” the Gleichen, AB cowgirl and first time winner said. “I just love this horse, but to have other competitors think highly enough of him to vote for Whiskey means the world. He’s always been special to me, having had him since he was born. He’s always has so much heart and try, and always gives me his all. I couldn’t ask for a better partner.”
For the first time in her rodeo career, Caitlyn Dahm is being recognized for her outstanding Breakaway Roping Horse, Gum E Bear (aka Gummy). Caitlyn, originally from Spring Hill, Kansas, is heading to her fourth CFR and really values her Doc O Lena-High Brow Cat bred gelding.
“There could be a list a mile long as to why Gummy is special to me, from his personality to how honest he is. This horse has never cost me in a run. He doesn’t want to get tight and he wants to stand like a soldier in the corner. I really am so lucky. When I walk outside and see him in the pasture, he just makes my day better.
“This award is so special. To have my fellow competitors and friends to have voted for him when they are all mounted on nice horses means the world. As someone who works hard to train horses and compete on them this award is something you dream about.”
This year’s Team Roping Heading Horse of the Year is 8 year old Catfish, owned by reigning Canadian Champion Kavis Drake.
“This award is one of my biggest accomplishments in my rodeo career,” the Moose Jaw, Sask native commented. “The horses we ride really deserve more credit than the cowboys do because without a good horse you aren’t gonna win. I’m just happy my peers and fellow competitors see in Catfish what I’ve seen and known for a long time. He truly is a winner. He gave me a chance everywhere I took him, whether it was Leduc where the barrier is short to Salinas where you’ve got to see the steer 35 feet out there.”
And the Team Roping Heeling Horse of the Year is Super Chad, owned by Kasper Roy. Named after the manager at the Estevan Saskatchewan ranch where Roy bought him, Super Chad’s registered name is Meradas Blu Chic.
“Winning Horse of the Year is a huge honour,” said Roy. “I have had (Super Chad) since he was 4 years old (he’s now 10) and I put a lot of sweat into making him what he is today. It’s very nice to see him get the credit of being Horse of the Year and that my fellow competitors think as highly of him as I do!”
C5 Rodeo and Vern McDonald are being recognized for the Saddle Bronc Horse of the Year, F13 Virgil. The two time World and three time Canadian Bareback horse, and now-Saddle Bronc winner will enjoy this accolade for the first time in the Saddle Bronc category, an achievement few bucking horses have realized and one McDonald is particularly proud of.
Virgil, now 17 years old, has come to be a defining athlete in the C5 Rodeo string of bucking horses and is a horse much desired and revered by competitors and fans across North America. Featured on the 2024 Ponoka Stampede poster with Rocker Steiner on board (to commemorate the World record bareback ride where the two teamed up for 95 points at the 2022 Darby, MT Riggin Rally), a few of the big gray’s additional recent accolades include back to back wins at the Zeke Thurston Invitational Xtreme Broncs event (2024 with Thurston; 2025 with Wyatt Casper) along with Thurston’s 2025 Calgary Stampede title. (92.5 Showdown Sunday).
The Calgary Stampede is the proud owner of the 2025 CPRA Bareback Horse of the Year, D-508 Disco Party. The exceptional mare by Grated Coconut and out of Outlaw Buckers’ Lunatic Party, has been a final four selection at numerous big shows. 2025 highlights for Disco Party include Rocker Steiner’s 91.25 to win the Ponoka Stampede Showdown and Cooper Cooke’s Sunday Finals 94 point ride to win the Calgary Stampede bareback title.
“What stands out about Disco Party is her try,” commented Tyler Kraft. “Whether it’s a belly roll or a big jump in the air, she’s bucks with enthusiasm. And she’s a nice mare to be around.” Kraft likens her to her buddy (and last year’s Bareback Horse of the Year) Agent Lynx. Both are very talented horses and seem to enjoy each other’s company on the road and at the ranch.
This year’s Bull of the Year is Duane Kesler Championship Rodeo’s 731 Alberta Prime Devils Advocate. The Kesler family (Duane, Margo and Chase) were excited to hear about the award, the second in four years for this outstanding animal athlete. And as the family noted, “The high horned Brahma cross bull is probably one of the most intimidating bulls rodeo has seen in years. He calmly walks into the bucking chutes stands there and doesn’t move. When you look at this animal up close though his eyes are telling you a different story!
“We are very proud to have 731 Alberta Prime Devils Advocate in our fleet of great animals. This bull been the most consistent bull for us in the last four years. We appreciate all the cowboys that come to our rodeos, and we understand what it takes to get from point A to point B.”
In that careers of bucking bulls tend to be shorter, winning this award twice in four years is particularly remarkable for Devils Advocate and the Kesler firm.
Winners and sponsors will be celebrated at the CPRA Night of Champions September 30 in Edmonton.
CFR PERSONNEL SELECTIONS
Among the CFR 50 selected positions for this year’s finals (October 1-4, 2025 at Rogers Place, Edmonton, AB) are:
Judges: Lane Peterson, Perry Gurski, Wayne Resch, Corey Prutton, Larry Adams, Bernie Rivet, Dale Reid
Timers: Brenda Vold – 20th year and Karry Krystal – 3rd appearance.
Pickup Men: Calgary Stampede Ranch Manager Tyler Kraft will work his sixth CFR alongside former Bull Riding Champion of Canada, Tyler Thomson who will be making his fifth appearance. Alternate is Jason Resch.
Bullfighters: Brett Monea will be making his 14th Canadian Finals appearance; he will be joined by Ty Prescott, making his eighth trip to the Finals and, Tanner Byrne–part of a family bullfighting dynasty–will be in Edmonton for a fourth consecutive CFR trip.
Arena Announcers: Brett Gardiner is making his 12th appearance behind the microphone and Doug Young will enjoy his fifth CFR.
Returning to the Cowboy Channel Broadcast Crew: Dave Poulsen and Robert Schmidt
Additional personnel include:
Rodeo Secretary: Catherine Laycraft
Official Veterinarian: Greg Evans, Moore Equine
Arena Director: Tanner Girletz
CFR Director: Amanda Frigon
Show Caller: Dustin Edwards
Rough Stock Chute Boss – Kyle Daines
Timed Event Chute Boss – Bob Wilson
Livestock Superintendent: Ward Macza
Ground Superintendent: OCD Earthworx
Music Director: Brad Narducci
Production Company: Feature Productions
Scoreboard: Sam Winslow (Copper Top Live)
* The Canadian Pro Rodeo Sport Medicine Team will also be in attendance.
Congratulations everyone!