Donalda's Cody Cassidy had a fantastic run at the 2016 CFR this past week as he won the steer wrestling event with a total earning of $79,371 and change, followed by brother Curtis Cassidy whose earning was $56,957.
Although Cody didn't make his best run on Sunday, when he clocked in 4.3, he had been in the lead with consistent performances.
"For me it doesn't get any better. I've had the perfect season," said Cody Cassidy. "This is a very special year for me. Looking back when I think of what really separated 2016 from the previous years, it was preparation."
Cassidy said that he has started going to Stettler Crossfit, which has been a game changer for him.
"I think I have been working on my mental game a lot this year and so when you are in control of every element that you can be a master of, you know you're in a good place," Cassidy added.
Cassidy will be heading for more rodeos to Regina, Sask. and Denver, CO where he competes.
"One can't stress the importance of having great horses, and I knew I had a great horse underneath me," Cassidy said. "Dustin Walker's horse Tank is one of the best horses you can have as a steer wrestler. And he won the award for the best steer wrestling horse of the year too."
Big Valley's Kirsty White places thirdThis year Big Valley's Kirsty White ran the ladies' barrels and even though she had a great lead early on in the week, it was unfortunate that on the final championship Sunday, she tipped a barrel.
Ending up with a total earning of $58, 636, White placed third at the CFR this year.
"I'm still on a high as I think about the experience I had and am extremely happy," said Kirsty White. "Hats off to my horse Racey, we won a total of $77,000 this season, can it get better than that?"
As White was getting ready to head down south till April next year, she said, "My horse was amazing but I know I was nervous. I think I allowed the pressure to get to me."
White explained that her horse was almost going to tip the first barrel, but somehow that was averted, so when they went to the second barrel, which she tipped, she was a little bit behind her horse and attributed it to herself, rather than her horse Racey.
"My next rodeo will be in Denver in January I think," White said. "The whole experience at the CFR was great. My family was with me, which made everything so special."
Other cowboys who participated from Stettler and area were Stettler's Riley Warren who competed in the tie down roping event, while Big Valley's Josh Harden took part in the saddle bronc event.