Where to go, what to do and who to see during Canadian Finals Rodeo week
BY TERRI MASON

Image courtesy of Northalds
The most widely anticipated rodeo of the year, the 38th Annual Canadian Finals Rodeo is the pinnacle of the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association’s (CPRA) rodeo season. The rodeo takes place at Rexall Place in Edmonton November 9-13 and this year, the celebration of the sport has turned into a city-wide party!
The CFR is a showcase of the best rough stock, rodeo contestants, bullfighters and pick up men. The city will be bursting with high-charged entertainment, high ridin’ rodeo contestants and rodeo glitterati as they crown the new Miss Rodeo Canada and Princess. The top money earners from the rodeo trail have spurred, roped, raced, wrestled and bucked their way to the top twelve of the leader board, earning them a berth in one of the Top Ten richest rodeos in the world – and the richest CPRA-sanctioned rodeo in Canada. In 2010, the Canadian Finals Rodeo paid out a whopping $1,274,996 to contestants – that’s a lot of jingle in those jeans.
Leading into the rodeo is the internationally-renowned Farmfair International, a showcase of livestock that attracts buyers and purebred breeders from around the world. From November 5-13, Farmfair also features a line-up of thrilling horse events and competitions that is a huge draw for horse lovers.
Also on deck is the wildly popular Heritage Ranch Rodeo, which has established itself as a huge crowd pleaser. Working cowboys from ranches as far away as British Columbia to Manitoba compete in traditional ranch activities and events such as cattle penning, working cowhorse, branding (using paint) and often one of the wildest events of the night – bronc riding. Each contestant is ‘riding for the brand’ as they proudly represent some of the oldest ranches across the West.
With Christmas just around the corner, be sure to stop in at the RAM Country Market in the Expo Centre. This annual trade show features all things western and beyond and can surely help you complete your naughty and nice list in no time. Add to this great meals, entertainment and liquid libation in The Buckle at Northlands and a coterie of eclectic and fun events – from karaoke competitions to fashion shows – and you’ll see why Edmonton is the place for a good time.
River City Round Up Events
NOVEMBER 4 The Downtown Business Association’s 21st Annual Chili Cook Off Scotia Place, 10060 Jasper Ave. 11:30 am – 1 pm edmontondowntown.com
NOVEMBER 5 River City Round Up Kick Off Celebration Sir Winston Churchill Square 9 am – 6 pm
NOVEMBER 5–13 FarmFair International Northlands Expo Centre, 7300-116 Ave. www.farmfair.ca
NOVEMBER 5–13 Live Country Music Celebration Rose & Crown Pub, Sutton Place Hotel, 10235-101 St. www.edmontonpubs.com
NOVEMBER 5–13 RAM Country Market Place Northlands Expo Centre, 7300-116 Ave. www.canadianfinalsrodeo.com
NOVEMBER 5–13 River City Round Up Celebration Oil City Roadhouse, 10736 Jasper Ave. www.oilcityroadhouse.com Moriarty’s Bistro & Wine Bar, 10154-100 St. www.moriartysbistro.com
NOVEMBER 6 Country Karaoke Contest Final Overtime Broiler & Taproom Sherwood Park, 101 Granada Blvd. www.overtimesherwoodpark.com
NOVEMBER 6–8 Heritage Ranch Rodeo Kubota Hall, Northlands Expo Centre, 7300-116 Ave. www.farmfair.ca

Image courtesy of Northlands
NOVEMBER 8 There’s A Heifer In Your Tank The Buckle, Northlands Expo Centre, 7300-116 Ave. www.heiferinyourtank.ca
NOVEMBER 9 Miss Rodeo Canada Fashion Show NewCap Stage, West Edmonton Mall, 8882-170 St.
NOVEMBER 9–13 Canadian Finals Rodeo Northlands, 7300-116 Ave. www.canadianfinalsrodeo.com
NOVEMBER 10 Miss Rodeo Canada 2012 Crowning and Reception Sutton Place Hotel, 10235-101 St. www.missrodeocanada.ca
NOVEMBER 10 Bloodstock 2011 Kubota Hall D, Northlands Expo Centre, 7300-116 Ave. www.farmfair.ca
NOVEMBER 10 Blake Shelton Live at CFR Rexall Place, 7424 118 Ave. www.canadianfinalsrodeo.com
NOVEMBER 10–12 The Buckle Hospitality Headquarters featuring buffets, live dinner time entertainment and bar service. Northlands Expo Centre, Hall H, 7300-116 Ave. www.canadianfinalsrodeo.com/buckle
NOVEMBER 11 CPRA Ladies Luncheon & Fashion Show Marriott River Cree Resort, Corner of Whitemud Drive and Winterburn Road (215
A Guide to the Language of Rodeo
ARM JERKER Horse or bull that is really stout and bucks with a lot of power resulting in a huge amount of pull on the contestant’s arm.
BREAKING THE BARRIER 10-second timed event penalty. Steers, calves get a head start. Once the bovine passes a pre-determined length, a barrier rope is released, permitting the cowboy/ horse to leave the box without penalty.
BRONC REIN A thick rope, 1 1/2 – 2 inches in diameter that is attached to the halter of a saddle bronc horse. The rope can be no longer than 6 1/2 feet, and is used to provide balance for the cowboy.
CHAPS Pronounced shhh aps; not like chapped (lips).
CROSSFIRE Team roping penalty: If the heeler throws his loop before the header has turned the steer, it’s called “crossfire” and the run is disqualified.
DOG FALL An illegal manoeuvre in steer wrestling causing all four feet and the head to face in different directions. In order to receive a time, the cowboy must roll the steer over or let it up and throw it again legally.
DOUBLE KICKER When a horse or bull that kicks up with the hind legs, walks on the front legs and then kicks again with the hind legs, before the hind legs touch the ground.
DALLY; DALLIES Fast wrapping of the lariat around the saddle horn. Derived from the Spanish term dalevuelta, meaning “give it a turn.”

Image courtesy of Northlands
DOUBLE-GRAB; PULLING LEATHER; GRABBING THE APPLE When a roughstock cowboy grabs the shank, saddle or bareback rigging with his free hand. Automatic disqualification.
FLANK A flank strap is used to encourage the horse to kick out straighter and higher when it bucks. About four inches wide and covered in sheepskin, it fastens behind the widest part of the abdomen. The flank does not cause pain because irritants or pain interfere with a horse’s ability to buck in an energetic and athletic fashion.
HAT BENDER When a horse or bull does not buck and just runs around the arena.
HOOEY The knot used by tie down ropers to hold the wraps used to tie three of the stock’s feet together after the calf has been thrown. Also known as a half-hitch to most people outside of rodeo.
NECK ROPE A rope that is affixed to an animal’s neck in the timed events. It is used to trip the barrier in front of the contestant to assure the animal a head start.
PICK UP MAN The cowboy on horseback who assists the bareback and saddle bronc riders in dismounting from their stock, gets the stock out of the arena and keeps the rodeo running smoothly.
PERF Rodeo performance
RE-RIDE When another ride is given to a saddle bronc, bareback bronc or bull rider in the same go-round when either the stock or the cowboy is not afforded a fair opportunity to show their best. Can be caused by things like a chute-fighting animal, a fallen animal, etc.
SEEING DAYLIGHT The term used when a cowboy comes loose from a bucking animal far enough for the spectators to see daylight between the cowboy and the animal.
STAR GAZER Describes a saddle bronc that bucks with its head up, and causes the cowboy to have a hard time keeping the slack out of the rein.
Timed Events
STEER WRESTLING Timing, coordination and strength are prerequisites for a steer wrestler a.k.a. “bulldogger”. A steer is released from a chute and once he crosses the score line, the mounted steer wrestler and a “hazer” (whose job is to keep the steer running straight) streaks out from the starting box. The bulldogger drops onto the steer and wrestles it to the ground. For scoring, the steer must be flat on its side with all four legs extended.
TEAM ROPING Team roping requires close cooperation and timing between skilled ropers, a header and heeler. The steer leaves the chute and once it crosses the score line, the header ropes the animal and turns the steer. The heeler then attempts to rope both hind legs. The clock is stopped when there is no slack in the ropes and the horses are facing each other.
TIE-DOWN ROPING Tie down roping is the most technical event in rodeo, with many hours of practice to perfect the skills of the roper and the horse. A calf is released from the chute and once it crosses the score line, the cowboy ropes the calf, tips it to the ground then ties three legs together. The tie must hold for six seconds.
LADIES BARREL RACING Breakneck speed, precise manoeuvres and great riding skills are mandatory for this colourful ladies’ event. The cowgirl races a cloverleaf pattern around three barrels. Times are so close in the precision event they are measured in hundredths of a second. The same requirements apply in all Novice Events: Saddle Bronc, Bare Back and Boys Steer Riding.