Three weeks before CFR, Jacob Gardner thought he had missed his chance at a Canadian All-Around title.
But on November 2, four performances into his first Canadian Finals Rodeo, the Fort St. John, B.C. cowboy was all smiles as he began to realize that the improbable had become a reality.
“I’m truly grateful for the opportunity. I worked really hard this year to chase the All-Around and I’m just super excited to have the shot to go for that title,” said Gardner, who clinched the All-Around championship during CFR '45 performance three - thanks to an 81-point ride on Calgary Stampede’s Night Moves.
It was a fairy tale end to a season full of ups and downs for Gardner, who was sitting second in the All-Around race and on the outside looking in when the official CFR standings were released earlier this month.
“For a few weeks, I was a little upset that I didn’t make the CFR. That was one goal that I kind of had this year but luckily, I got in. And I made sure when I came that I rode well and capitalized on every opportunity,” said Gardner, who qualified for the CFR after fellow bull riders Lonnie West and Brock Radford turned out.
Qualifying for the big show gave Gardner a second chance at overtaking Luke Gee in the All-Around race, and it was an opportunity that he wasn’t about to pass up.
“To get the All-Around, it’s hard because I’m in the steer wrestling and I’m up against some pretty big guys. I’m a little smaller, so I had to have a lot of heart and try. That was my main thing and once I qualified, reality started coming around.”
“My mindset at CFR was just to have fun. This was my first CFR. It’s an experience I think a lot of bull riders want to have and I’m really grateful to qualify.” |