Canadian Professional Rodeo Association

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Canadian Professional Rodeo Association
SportRodeo
Founded1944
Country Canada
Most recent
champion(s)
Canada Wyatt Hayes, All-Around
Official websiteRodeoCanada.com

The Canadian Professional Rodeo Association (CPRA) is the governing body of professional rodeo in Canada. Its championship event is the Canadian Finals Rodeo (CFR) held every November.[1]

History

The Canadian Professional Rodeo Organization was founded in 1944. It started when some cowboys joined up to create the Cowboys Insurance Association when each cowboy added $1 to create an insurance fund. Rodeo management matched that amount to increase the insurance fund. A year later in 1945, they renamed the organization the Cowboys Protective Association (CPA). Under the Societies Act, they completed the necessary actions to become an association. This enabled the organization to serve its members in a more general way. They enlisted their first president, Ken Thomson of Black Diamond. They had 160 members in the beginning. Money for fees was high and returns on wins was not. In 1965, the society incorporated under the name, Canadian Rodeo Cowboys Association, which continued until 1980. At that time, the organization finally became known under its current name, Canadian Professional Rodeo Association (CPRA). Now the organization has over 1,000 members.[2]

Women competed in the inaugural events of the Calgary Stampede in 1912 and participated in various rodeos until 1919. But from 1923,[3] they were barred from official rodeo competitions in Canada until 1958.[4] Hoping to gain approval for barrel racing to be added to the events of the Stampede and other official rodeo events, women formed the Canadian Girls' Barrel Racing Association in 1957.[5] Two of its founding members, Isabella Hamilton (later Miller) and Viola Thomas met with the Cowboys Protective Association and were successful in convincing the board to allow women to compete from 1958,[5][6] but because of biases by management were given race times with the children and received low pay. Frances Church, 1972 Canadian barrel racing champion, noted that in the United States men and women had equal purses for like events, but Stampede manager Winston Bruce's response was that barrel racing was neither a rodeo event nor one that crowds wanted to see. Women were barred from membership in the Canadian Rodeo Cowboys Association until 1975, though the organization allowed women to purchase permits to participate in events.[7] When the Stampede went to team competition in 1979, individual barrel racing was not sanctioned and did not occur again until 1982.[3] In 1988, women were voted out of membership in the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association and the following year, barrel racing was again suspended at the Stampede.[8] Though the event was brought back in 1990,[9] it would take until 1995 for women to earn back the right to vote as members of the CPRA, have barrel racing recognized as a “major event”, and be eligible for equal pay on the Canadian professional rodeo circuit.[10][11]

As of 2013, the High River Agricultural Society is no longer affiliated with the CPRA. This means that the annual Guy Weadick Days Rodeo in June will now be associated with the CPRA through the Foothills Cowboy Association instead.[12]

On July 17, 2016, the CPRA fired their general manager, Dan Eddy. Eddy had been the general manager since February 2015. There had been some issues raised, but the business advisory council's recommendation was to retain him. However, the directors decided to terminate him. Afterwards, the advisory members resigned. Then some of the directors stepped down to protest Eddy's termination.[13][14][15] On October 19, 2016, the CPRA and Edmonton Northlands announced a partnership. The effect was that the CFR would continue to take place at the Northlands Coliseum, its historic home of 43 years.[16]

On January 16, 2018, it was announced that the Canadian Finals Rodeo would move to

ENMAX Centrium, and be extended to a six-day event with a new youth competition, and additional entertainment. Temporary seating would be installed to expand the arena by 2,000 during the rodeo.[17] Shortly thereafter that same year, the CPRA named a new president to the association. On February 28, 2018, Terry Cooke became the new president, and he took on his new duties forthwith. Also, per the CPRA, he was elected by acclamation.[18]

On May 16, 2018, the CPRA announced a new partnership with the Finning Canada. Finning Canada became the title sponsor of the regular season CPRA tour, so it was now known as the Finning Canada Pro Rodeo Tour. Finning happens to be the largest dealer for Caterpillar Inc.[19] On June 12, 2018, the CPRA announced an ongoing yearly partnership with FloSports. This agreement stated that in the future all the events and finals of the Finning Canada Pro Rodeo Tour, the Grass Roots Final, and the CFR will be aired exclusively on FloRodeo.com.[20]

In 2020, only two CPRA events took place in the entire calendar year. They were both Xtreme Bulls events in the winter. Before the season was to be set into full swing in the spring, the regional COVID-19 epidemic became a global pandemic in March. As a result, all events were postponed. After several months, it was ultimately decided that the 2020 CPRA season was to be cancelled, along with the CFR.[21]

CPRA events, including the CFR returned in 2021.

On April 22, 2023, it was announced that CPRA events, including the CFR, would now be televised live on The Cowboy Channel and The Cowboy Channel Canada, as well as being streamed on the subscription-based The Cowboy Channel Plus application. Additional CPRA events would also be televised on The Cowgirl Channel. This was the result of a five-year agreement with Rural Media Group to last through December 31, 2027.[22]

On October 25, 2023, it was announced that the CFR would be returning to Edmonton in 2024, only now it will be held at Rogers Place. It will be held there through 2026.[23]

Organization

Pro Rodeo Canada is home to the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association and is headquartered in

ENMAX Centrium, Westerner Park, in Red Deer, Alberta. The ability to secure this arena demonstrated that the rodeo still had a strong fan base and high growth rate.[24] The CFR had to move when it was announced that the city of Edmonton was going to close the Northlands Coliseum down.[25] Previously, the finals were held at the Northlands Coliseum in Edmonton, Alberta, for its entire 44-year history.[26] After announcing a new venue for the year 2018, the Canadian Finals Rodeo took place in Red Deer, Alberta, on October 30 through November 4.[27]

The CFR is the ultimate event of the tour. Throughout Canada, it is considered the top national championship of professional rodeo, and since 2018, it is held annually in Red Deer, Alberta. The CFR's top award amount is one of the largest in Canadian rodeo, totaling $1.65 million. The top 12 competitors from the sanctioned events are selected for the CFR each year. The CFR runs for six days each season. Since that same year, FloRodeo, owned by FloSports, has live-streamed CPRA events. “We’re excited about broadening our reach through our new partnership with FloSports,” said Canadian Professional Rodeo Association General Manager Jeff Robson. “The opportunity to live stream the Finning Canada Pro Tour rodeos and both our finals – the Grass Roots Final and the Canadian Finals Rodeo – will provide welcome exposure for our sport and expand access for our fans."[28] Annually, the rodeo features one of the nation's largest prize purses—$1.65 million—and accepts the top 12 money-earners from the CPRA rodeo season. Over six days, FloRodeo will capture some of rodeo's top athletes competing through six rounds to determine each of the seven event winners, a high-point, and an all-around champion.

In 2017 and 2018, it was announced that the CPRA champions would receive an exemption to The American Rodeo Semi-Finals.[29]

There are many rodeo associations sanctioning rodeos in a particular city or area in Canada that operate under the precepts of the CPRA. One such rodeo association is the British Columbia Rodeo Association.[30]

Events

Champions and awards

A full list of past champions from 1945 to 2023 is located here: List of Canadian Professional Rodeo Association Champions. There is also a List of Canadian Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame inductees.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Pro Rodeo Canada". Canadian Professional Rodeo Association. www.rodeocanada.com. Retrieved April 1, 2018.
  2. ^ 2017 Pro Rodeo Canada Media Guide, History of the CPRA, p. 4.
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  12. ^ "High River bucks off Canadian Professional Rodeo Association - Okotoks Western Wheel". Okotoks Western Wheel. March 13, 2013. Retrieved October 13, 2018.
  13. ^ "Dan Barnes: GM fired, directors resign, Canadian Professional Rodeo Association in turmoil". Edmonton Journal. July 28, 2016. Retrieved October 12, 2018.
  14. ^ "Connecting People Through News". Retrieved November 29, 2018 – via PressReader.
  15. ^ "Dan Barnes: GM fired, directors resign, Canadian Professional Rodeo Association in turmoil". Edmonton Journal. July 28, 2016. Retrieved November 29, 2018.
  16. ^ "Canadian Professional Rodeo Association and Edmonton Northlands Launch New Partnership". Wrangler Network. October 19, 2016. Retrieved October 12, 2018.
  17. ^ "It's official: Red Deer will host the CFR for 10 years". CBC News. Retrieved June 1, 2018.
  18. ^ "CPRA Welcomes New President". Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. www.prorodeo.com. Retrieved October 13, 2018.
  19. ^ "Finning Canada Partners With the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association". Wrangler Network. Retrieved October 13, 2018.
  20. ^ "FloSports Announces Multiyear Partnership with Canadian Professional Rodeo Association - FloSports". FloSports. June 12, 2018. Retrieved October 13, 2018.
  21. ^ "Official Home of the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association". Rodeo Canada. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
  22. ^ "Canadian pro rodeos added to The Cowboy Channel". The Cowboy Channel. Retrieved November 2, 2023.
  23. ^ "The Canadian Finals Rodeo is returning to Edmonton in 2024". Canadian Professional Rodeo Association. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
  24. ^ 2017 Pro Rodeo Canada Media Guide, Introduction, p. 2.
  25. ^ "Red Deer, Alta., saddles up as new home of annual Canadian Finals Rodeo event". National Post. January 17, 2018. Retrieved July 12, 2020.
  26. ^ "Red Deer named 2018 host city of Canadian Finals Rodeo". Global News. January 16, 2018. Retrieved October 12, 2018.
  27. ^ "Rodeo Event - FloRodeo". 2018 Canadian Finals Rodeo. www.florodeo.com. Retrieved October 12, 2018.
  28. ^ "FloSports Announces Multiyear Partnership with Canadian Professional Rodeo Association - FloSports". FloSports. June 12, 2018. Retrieved October 13, 2018.
  29. ^ "Champions Receive Exemption to RFD-TV's THE AMERICAN Semi-Finals | The Cowboy Channel". Canadian Professional Rodeo Association. www.thecowboychannel.com. Retrieved October 13, 2018.
  30. ^ "Welcome to the BC Rodeo Association Website". British Columbia Rodeo Association. Retrieved October 13, 2018.
  31. ^ Curnutt 2001, pp. 268–269.
  32. ^ Broyles 2006, p. 4.

Sources

External links