C . P . R . A .
MESSAGE FROM THE CPRA
COWBOY OF THE YEAR
PHOTOS COURTESY CPRA ; BY MIKE COPEMAN
THE YEAR 2016 WAS AN EXCITING ONE FOR THE CPRA WITH AN AMAZING # CFR43 . CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR CANADIAN CHAMPIONS !
The year ended on a great note with eight of our cowboys qualifying for the WNFR and three World Champions coming back to Canada . Our stock contractors left their mark on Las Vegas as well , with some outstanding performances by the four-legged superstars of our sport . Huge congratulations to all of the Canadian WNFR participants with special recognition going out to 2016 World Champions Levi Simpson , Jeremy Buhler and Zeke Thurston .
I attended the PRCA Committee Convention in Vegas , and there was lots of great information sharing with committees from all over the U . S . It was interesting to learn that the PRCA and their committees face many of the same challenges we face here in Canada . It ’ s easy to see that we all have to work together to make our sport strong .
In November I travelled to Regina , Sask ., for Agribition Pro Rodeo . Four sold-out nights and terrific performances at both ends of the arena made the return of pro rodeo to Regina a huge success . Thank you to the rodeo committee and all of the members of Agribition who were such a pleasure to work with .
The CPRA is working hard to make the 2017 rodeo season one of the best . The Board of Directors is busy solidifying the governance model for the Association and the Rules Committee is preparing to print a new , much needed CPRA Rule Book .
Two new events are planned ( so far ) for 2017 : the Rebel Energy Bull Riding in Red Deer , Alta ., in February and the Edmonton , Alta ., Northlands K-Days Rodeo in July , the richest one head rodeo anywhere ! Great start to the new year ! Hope to see you down the road .
— Kyle Rock , CPRA Operations Manager
Humbled , honoured , overwhelmed … these are just a few words that come to mind when I think of receiving the 2016 Cowboy of the Year Award .
I would like to thank the CPRA for the beautiful Troy Fischer buckle , the Fellowship of Christian Cowboys for the handmade leather bound bible and Douglas Lake Ranch for the amazing Ross Contway bronze . These awards are very dear to my heart .
To all the stock contractors , committees , sponsors and fellow cowboys and cowgirls that I have worked with over the years , thank you for allowing me to make a living at something I truly loved .
Last but not least , thank you to my family , Raegan , Brayden and Dylan . I could never have received this honour without your support .
I wish the rodeo community all the best in the upcoming rodeo season ; see you down the road !
— Sincerely , Scott Byrne , 2016 Cowboy of the Year
THANK YOU FROM THE KESLER FAMILY
How deeply we have been touched by the many tributes to Greg throughout the year by the entire Rodeo World . Your thoughtfulness is a gift we will always treasure . We have been so inspired by the Rodeo Family who have made thoughtfulness an art .
No words can express , no act of gratitude can relay , no gift can represent what your love and support have meant to us . It will be forever treasured .
— Judy , Duane , Margo & Chase , Berva Dawn & Kurtis Kesler
Scott Byrne receives his commemorative buckle and bronze from Douglas Lake Ranch ’ s Taylor-Jane Graham
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