The field of tie-down ropers who have qualified for the Canadian Finals Rodeo are a combination of first-timers and veterans as 12 of the top athletes compete for the CPRA Championship in Red Deer, Alberta beginning Nov. 1.
No. 1 Haven Meged, $37,358
Montana cowboy Haven Meged has claimed the No. 1 spot in the Canadian Standings to secure his position in the Finals with $37,358 earned this season. Meged clinched multiple wins North of the Border including the SMS Equipment Pro Tour Finals and the Grand Prairie Stampede. Meged claimed a World Title in 2019 and is looking to add a Canadian Championship to his name.
No. 2 Logan Bird, $34,621
Logan Bird is no stranger to success as he cinched the Canadian Title in 2017 and has kept steady this season as works to claim a second. Bird nailed down multiple wins including the Cranbrook Pro Rodeo and the Guy Weadick Rodeo bringing his total earnings to $34,621.
No. 3 Shane Smith, $33,229
Shane Smith is headed back to the Canadian Finals Rodeo after finishing out 2022 at No. 7 in the standings with the help of a Round 6 win. Smith placed in multiple rodeos this season including the Pincher Creek Pro Rodeo and the Stavely Pro Rodeo. A 7.5-second run at the Pile O Bones Rodeo notched Smith a big win.
No. 4 Beau Cooper, $31,546
Beau Cooper is back for a second shot at a Canadian Championship after collecting multiple wins including the Hand Hills Lake, Strathmore Stampede and Calgary Stampede. Cooper will also be making his first appearance at the National Finals Rodeo in December after finishing out the season at No. 11 in the PRCA World Standings.
No. 5 Jesse Popescul, $30,233
Four-time Canadian Finals Rodeo qualifier Jesse Popescul is currently sitting No. 5 in the standings after securing wins at the Okotoks Pro Rodeo and Sundre Pro Rodeo. Popescul will make his return to Red Deer in hopes of securing his first CPRA Title.
No. 6 Jason Smith, $25,441
Jason Smith, brother of No. 3 cowboy Shane Smith, is set to make his return to the Canadian Finals Rodeo after locking in wins at the Pincher Creek Pro Rodeo, BCNE Rodeo and Field of Dreams Stampede.
No. 7 Kyle Lucas, $25,322
Kyle Lucas is currently preparing for his eighth Canadian Finals Rodeo at just 29-years-old, the Alberta native is gunning for his first Championship. Lucas claimed winning checks at the Coronation Pro Rodeo and North Peace Stampede among others to collect $25,322 in earnings.
No. 8 Austin Hines, $24,943
Austin Hines will be making his first appearance at the Canadian Finals Rodeo with just under $25,000 in earnings he sits No. 8 in the Standings. Hines secured the win in his hometown at the Lea County Rodeo this season to secure a check for $2,914.
No. 9 Clayton Smith, $19,170
With the help of securing the Maple Leaf Circuit Finals Year-End Title, Clayton Smith is headed back to the Canadian Finals Rodeo wearing back number 63 with over $19,000 in earnings for the season.
No. 10 Bo Pickett, $18,882
Bo Pickett picked up a winning check at Oldstoberfest with an 8.4-second run to claim the No. 1 spot. Pickett was also in the money at the Coronation Pro Rodeo, Interior Provincial Exhibition and the Okotoks Pro Rodeo to claim his position inside the Top 12.
No. 11 Erik Dublanko, $18,286
Erik Dublanko is making his way back to Red Deer to continue his search for a Canadian Finals Rodeo Championship Title. Dublanko secured the win at the Bruce Stampede this season with a run of 8.0 seconds flat to contribute to his $18,286 in earnings.
No. 12 Cooper Resch, $18,153
Cooper Resch will be making his first appearance at the Canadian Finals Rodeo this year with over $18,000 earned for the 2023 season. Resch pulled checks at the Ponoka Stampede as well as the Bonneyville Rodeo to claim his position inside the Top 12.
