It was a good night to be a Bonnett.
Three of the four members of the prominent Ponoka rodeo family enjoyed a productive and profitable round number two at the Canadian Finals Rodeo. It started in the barrel racing when Colby Bonnett bounced back from her challenging opening round to turn in a blazing 13.78 sec ond run for the win and the accompanying $11,550 first place payout.
Then later in the performance, husband Logan and his younger brother Keeley were just as dominant in the team roping as they blistered a run of 3.9 seconds to take top honours in their event. For Logan and Colby, the twin wins provided a $23,100 injection into the family coffers with three performances still to go at CFR 52.
Colby was marking a return to the CFR after a ten year absence from CFR competition while the brother tandem had failed to qualify for the CFR in ’24 and ’25, and had made a return to Edmonton and the Finals a goal for the 2026 season.
Riding Rio, a six year old gelding, Colby was elated after her second run.
“It’s my first round win and it feels amazing. I've watched lots of go-round wins with our family, Kash, Logan and Keely… you know, like that victory lap around the arena, and afterwards, get ting the buckle. It’s a special experience; you work hard for it. And winning it with so many family members present makes it even better.”
It’s been a hectic couple of weeks for Canadian saddle bronc rider Ben Anderson. In the days leading up to the Canadian Finals Rodeo, the Eckville, Alberta cowboy was locked in a down-to the-wire battle to catch one of the final qualifying spots at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo slate for December in Las Vegas, Nevada. He accomplished that goal courtesy of a dramatic finish at the final rodeo of the PRCA season.
That job done, the talented 27 year-old had to pivot as he looked to check another box—a first Canadian saddle bronc riding title. And in round two of the 52nd edition of the CFR, Anderson took a big step toward realizing that dream with a second go-round win aboard Canadian Saddle Bronc of the Year from the Yule Rodeo firm, Mary Lou. Anderson’s 89.5 wowed the huge Rogers Place crowd and earned him the critical $11,550 he needed as he continued his pursuit of six time Canadian titleist, Zeke Thurston, who, after a first go round win was blanked in the second round, allowing Anderson to close ground on the Big Valley cowboy.
Andersen reflected on his ride after the performance. “I got on Mary Lou here last year… I was 86, and we did good still, and then I had her at Caldwell for 90 and a half. She handled this arena really well, she’s kind of floaty. She wheels out flat and low, then has a little jump then a big one. She helps you as long as you’re aggressive.”
Andersen has taken the lead in the aggregate with 174.25 points on two rides and has closed to within $8000 of perennial leader, Thurston.
Other Highlights:
The night started with a powerful opening ceremony that saw a touching tribute to C5 Rodeo’s much-celebrated and now retired bucking horse legend F-13 Virgil.
Bareback Riding: Denver Leitch rose to the occasion on his matchup with Calgary Stampede’s World and Canadian Champion D-508 Disco Party for an 86.50 point ride. With a second place finish after his opening night win, Orin Larsen holds a commanding lead in the standings and aggregate.
Steer Wrestling: Jonny Webb continues his strong start to CFR 52, setting the pace as the first steer wrestler out with the eventual go-round winning time of 3.6 seconds. Webb has climbed from ninth to third, and although Scott Guenthner had a broken barrier, he still leads the pack by a wide margin.
Ladies Breakaway Roping: After a no-time on opening night, last year’s Ladies Breakaway Rop ing champion Bradi Whiteside bounced back with a rapid 2.1 second run on a fast night of roping. She remains in control of her plans for a title defence.
Tie-Down Roping: 2022 Canadian Champion Ty Harris continues to bring the heat, taking the top spot with a nearly flawless 7.1 second run on Thursday night. Harris sits just over $5,000 be hind season leader Logan Bird while holding a firm grasp on the aggregate going into round 3.
Bull Riding: Another night, another outstanding winning effort from Grady Young, this time with an 87.50 point ride aboard Big Stone Rodeo’s 303 Cinch Jeans Black Label. Having earned two of the three scores after two performances, Young has added some distance between himself and the field.
Novice Bareback: Quaide Skjonsberg continues to prove he can make the jump to the big time, earning his second straight go round with an 83.00 point ride on Calgary Stampede’s black stal lion G-90 General Lynx. With the final performance for the novice bareback riding tomorrow night, he remains in the driver’s seat for the title.
Novice Saddle Bronc: Sawyer Hutchinson made the only qualified ride tonight with a great 77.25 point ride aboard Macza Pro Rodeo’s 013 Copy Cat. As the only novice bronc rider with two scores, he sits in the driver seat with the title on the line tomorrow night.
Junior Steer Riding: Hayes Howe proved he packs a lot of try in a small package, hustling to a 79.25 point ride on Lazy 2’s cow #803. Ryder Topolinski sits as the only competitor with two scores, and has nearly clinched his second consecutive title.
The action continues tonight 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
-30-
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 prem iere 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 citys profile. The organization drives economic, cultural, and community im pact through the visitor economy, while stewarding key venues and producing iconic events.
Photos and video footage of tonights 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