New to Rodeo? Start Here.
The Canadian Finals Rodeo features Canada's top athletes competing in eight championship events. Some events are judged, some are timed, but every event tests skill, speed, courage, and partnership between athlete and animal.
The eight events are divided into two categories:
Roughstock Events
In roughstock events, riders are scored based on both the athlete's performance and the animal's performance. The highest score wins.
Bareback Riding
Saddle Bronc Riding
Bull Riding
Timed Events
In timed events, competitors race against the clock. The fastest clean run wins.
Steer Wrestling
Team Roping
Tie-Down Roping
Barrel Racing
Breakaway Roping
Bareback
PRESENTED BY: CLAAS
Riders use a rigging instead of a saddle and must stay aboard for eight seconds. Judges score both the rider and the horse based on control, technique, and performance.
Saddle Bronc
PRESENTED BY: CALGARY STAMPEDE
Often called rodeo's classic event, saddle bronc riders use timing, balance, and control to stay in rhythm with a bucking horse for eight seconds. Judges score both the rider and horse for performance and difficulty.
Bull Riding
PRESENTED BY: EXPLORE EDMONTON
Often called the most dangerous event in rodeo, bull riders attempt to stay aboard a spinning, bucking bull for eight seconds. Riders are scored on control, balance, and difficulty.
Steer Wrestling
PRESENTED BY: CVS CONTROLS
Also known as bulldogging, competitors leap from horseback onto a running steer and wrestle it to the ground as quickly as possible.
Team Roping
PRESENTED BY: CENTURY MILE
This timed event involves two competitors acting as a team: the header and the heeler. The header ropes the steer's horns or neck then the heeler ropes the hind legs. The time stops when both horses are facing each other with the steer in the middle and there is no slack in the ropes. There are three legal head catches; both horns, half head and neck. Penalties include a five-second addition if only one hind leg is roped by the heeler.
Tie Down Roping
PRESENTED BY: FARMFAIR INTERNATIONAL
Cowboys race to rope, dismount, and tie three legs of a calf. Success depends on speed, accuracy, and teamwork between horse and rider.
Barrel Racing
PRESENTED BY: RAM
Barrel racing is a timed event for cowgirls navigating a cloverleaf pattern around three barrels. Timing begins as they cross the timer line into the arena and ends when they cross the timer line exiting. Touching barrels is allowed, but knocking them over incurs a 5-second penalty. Going off the cloverleaf pattern results in a "no time".
Breakaway roping
PRESENTED BY: COOK COUNTY SALOON
In this timed event, cowgirls leave the timed event box and rope a calf cleanly around the neck (called a bell collar catch). A string attaching the rope to the saddle horn, is designed to break upon pulling, releasing the calf and the rope. The judge drops the flag and stops the timer. Penalties occur if the barrier is broken. Catches that aren't a clean bell collar catch result in no time. The fastest time determines the winner.
Rodeo Terms You Should Know
Mark Out
A roughstock rider must have their feet above the horse's shoulders when leaving the chute.
No Time
A run or ride that does not meet competition requirements and therefore receives no score or recorded time.
Barrier
A rope system that gives livestock a head start in timed events.
Header
The first roper in team roping.
Heeler
The partner responsible for roping the hind legs in team roping.
What Should I Watch For?"
Bareback Riding
Watch for:
Aggressive bucking horses
Cowboy control
Powerful spurring action
Bull Riding
Watch for:
Staying centered
Maintaining balance
Explosive bull movements
Barrel Racing
Watch for:
Tight turns
Speed
Precision
Fan Favourite Events
Bull Riding
Often called the "most dangerous eight seconds in sports."
Saddle Bronc
Known as rodeo's classic event.
Barrel Racing
One of rodeo's fastest and most exciting events.
Do I Need to Know Rodeo Rules?
Not at all. Many fans attend CFR for the first time every year. Rodeo 101 is designed to give you a basic understanding of the events, but the excitement, athleticism, and atmosphere speak for themselves.