Buffalo roams into first at CFR

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Although called "vertically challenged" by the ringside announcer at the Northlands Coliseum, Todd Junior Buffalo stood tall when the dust had settled at the Canadian Finals Rodeo XXI in Edmonton Nov. 13.

Buffalo rode to three straight wins in the Boys Steer Riding to open the five-day national championship, then coasted to victory and winning of $2,061.40.

"I drew good stock the first three days," said the newly crowned champion after the sixth go-round Sunday afternoon. "Then some of the other gets got better steers than I did."

But nobody else could match the Hobbema cowboy's ride on Friday night, when he scored the best ride of the week with an 93. Buffalo had ridden to a 77 Wednesday and 76 Thursday for his earlier wins. He finished with a total of 140 points for six rounds, and easily led runner-up Dustin Thompson of Brooks, Alberta, by 35.

"I'm excited to win and excited to be at the CFR," said the soft-spoken first-time contestant.

Buffalo, a Grade 7 student at Samson school in Hobbema, is eligible for two more years at the CFR, then plans to become a saddle bronc rider.

"He's got great potential," said Slim Wetland, a long-time pro rodeo watcher. "He could do real well in saddle bronc, or even bull riding if he wants to."

But he doesn't want to do that.

"I think I'll try saddle bronc because I won't be afraid of the hoses," he said.

When asked about bull riding, he just smiled and shrugged.

The Canadian championship concludes his third year of rodeo, which began with a steer riding school and tutorship by his uncle Benjy Buffalo, While Todd Junior didn't enter the weekend leading the pack in earnings (by which cowboys qualify for all of the events), he had the best average, having entered fewer events than any of the other contestants.

Joseph Fox of Morley, Alberta, finished with a credible 64 points in the events, in his least year of eligibility for the CFR.

"I came into the CFR with more experience," said the two-time competitor and Grade 9 student. "But I drew poor steers and never did get a chance to really put on a good show."

Fox will return to steer riding on another circuit next year, then plans to follow in his grandfather's footsteps as a saddle bronc rider. "But I might try bull riding," said Fox, with a twinkle in his eye. "Or maybe not."

In the Bull Riding, Daryl Mills of Pink Mountain, B.C. remained the hard luck fan favorite, finishing third this year. Glen Keeley, of Nanton, Alberta, riding for himself and his brother Jayson, who had been almost fatally injured this summer, charged into second. But the championship was successfully defended by Calgary's consistent Wayde Joyal.

Joyal had won the second go-round Thursday with a hot 87 on Magic, and the Saturday evening with a sizzling 90 on Kodiak Copenhagen, on his way to a 150 score. Keeley won on Friday with a suspiciously low 86.5 on Fool Proof, and shared first three ways at 84 at the Saturday matinee on Fatal Attraction. Mills also won twice: on Wednesday on Big Ben with an 84 and on Sunday with an electrifying 90 of Skoal's Silkscreen.

It was tough week for the marquee performers at the CFR - Friday and Saturday evenings and Sunday, in front of the three biggest crowds of the week, the score was Bulls 22, Cowboys 8.

The Bareback champion was Bill Boyd of Olds, Alberta, who scored 140 and appeared in the winners' circle three times in the five days. Rod Hay of Wildwood, Alberta, ran away with the Saddle Bronc, winning thee times outright on the way to 150 points.

In Calf Roping, Larry Robinson of Innisfail, Alberta, rounded to 120 points and the championship, while Marty Becker of Manyberries, Alberta, took the average crown. Blaine Pederson of Amisk, Alberta, both won the event and had the high average, scoring 135 points to win the Steer Wresting. He also took the award for the Hi Point over eight other eligible competitors. And Dawn Rude of La Glace, Alberta, ran away with the Ladies Barrel Racing, winning threetimes, finishing second twice, and taking only 124.81 seconds to complete the course on Friday night on the way to 180 points and the championship. Monica Wilson of Cardson, Alberta, managed to be consistent enough over six go-rounds to win the average in the event.

The Novice Bareback events crown went to Doug Tkach, of Coronation, Alberta, in a close finish, while Christopher Sews of Longview, Alberta, lapped the competitions scoring 340 points from five wins in the Novice Saddle Bronc.

Canadian All Around Cowboy championship was Rod Warren of Innisfail, Alberta, who scored 105 points to Duane Daines' (of Innisfail) 70.