Northern Lights Rodeo squad crowned best in Canada

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — B.C.’s lone collegiate rodeo squad stands atop the mountain as the best program in Canada.

According to a press release, Northern Lights College’s (NLC) rodeo team took home the overall title at the 2026 Canadian College Rodeo Association (CCRA) varsity championship.

The championships were held on the first weekend of May in Rimbey, Alberta.  A statement from the team said they won seven of nine CCRA events held throughout Western Canada, including meets in BC, Saskatchewan and Alberta.

Additionally, six NLC team members earned individual event titles or reserve championship honours, including Ben Coombes, Landon Dowling, Nate Siemens, Dain Ross, Rylie Bondaroff and Jordyn Farmer, in events such as bareback riding, steer wrestling, tie-down roping, breakaway roping and pole bending.

Ross and Bondaroff also took home reserve high point cowboy and cowgirl of the CCRA finals, respectively, and teammate Ryan Collett won the CCRA’s cowboy of the year, recognized as an athlete who displays “sportsmanship, character, and excellence both in competition and within the rodeo community,” voted on by CCRA members.

NLC Rodeo manager Leanne Esau said the team displayed “depth, grit and determination” throughout the year.

“[Our team] successfully managed their college courses while putting in the time and effort during weekly coached practices for their rodeo events,” said Esau. “The results of this played out in arenas across Saskatchewan, Alberta and at our own college rodeo here in B.C.”

“It is a huge honour to bring this 2025–26 Varsity Banner back to the Peace Country, as it represents the quality and excellence that we are aiming to build into this rodeo program.”

The CCRA varsity championship finals took place from May 1st to May 3rd in Rimbey, Alberta.