Peace region cowboys, cowgirls to compete in 2023 Canadian Finals Rodeo

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Five Peace region cowboys and cowgirls have qualified to compete in the 2023 Canadian Finals Rodeo (CFR), which kicks off in Red Deer early next month. 

Fort St. John’s Jake Gardener is set to compete in bull riding at the event.

In the 2023 season, Gardener competed in 35 rodeos and has earned $47,256.88 so far. According to the Pro Rodeo Canada standings, Gardener currently ranks second in the bull riding category.

Gardner competed in last year’s CFR and finished with an aggregate (AGG) rank of fourth place. He earned $11,490.40 in CFR round earnings and $3,231.67 in CFR AGG earnings, bringing his season earnings to a total of $36,830.15.

Stephen Culling, also from Fort St. John, will compete in steer wrestling at the CFR. 

Culling ranks third in steer wrestling and has competed in 33 rodeos this season, earning himself $27,673.41.

At the 2022 CFR, Culling finished with an AGG rank of ninth place and earned $17,474.99 in CFR round earnings. In total, Culling earned $60,565.90 in the 2022 rodeo season. 

Pouce Coupe’s Lane Wills is slated to compete in ladies’ barrel racing at this year’s CFR. 

Wills currently ranks 12th in barrel racing and has competed in 40 rodeo events this season. She has earned $28,486.41 this season, heading into next month’s event. 

Wills finished with an AGG rank of eighth place at the 2022 CFR and earned $2,872.59 in CFR round earnings. She finished off the season with a total of $32,467.29 in earnings. 

Brooke Wills, from Arras, will also compete in ladies’ barrel racing next month. 

Wills has competed in 42 events this season and currently sits in second place in the barrel racing category. She has $28,486.41 in season earnings so far. 

Charlie Lake’s Tyrel Roberts will compete in the saddle bronc category at next month’s event. 

Roberts sits in seventh place in saddle bronc and has competed in 36 rodeo events this season. His season earnings sit at $25,095.16 heading into the finals. 

The 2023 Canadian Finals Rodeo will take place at Westerner Park in Red Deer from November 1st to 5th.