- CFR Performance 5 Performance Preview by Clay Creasy
Round 5 will open with the award-winning duo FOXX Worthee performing the Canadian anthem.
We also celebrate Championship Night with Glitter & Gold, presented by Direct Energy. It’s the grand finale; go big! Sequins, metallic gold accents, shiny belt buckles, and anything that sparkles under the arena lights.
Bareback Riding presented by CLAAS
The best stock in Canada returns to the draw from Thursday Night’s second performance to add to the championship races in all three rough stock events!
Orin Larsen has essentially clinched his Canadian Championship, and sits atop the aggregate as well. With Macza Pro Rodeo’s 64 Side Show for his final horse tonight, he should maintain his positioning in both races.
However, Jacob Lees sits 1.25 points behind Larsen for the aggregate, and Calgary’s C-15 Cinchy Whitney could help him make up that difference. Four more competitors sit within 6.5 points of Larsen as well, so a large gap in the scores in Round 5 could lead to a surprise winner on five horses.
Steer Wrestling presented by CVS Controls
Scott Guenthner hasn’t had the results he would like at his final CFR, but his substantial regular season cushion has held up to guarantee his sixth Canadian title, provided he places tonight.
However, Landon Beardsworth leads the aggregate, with Ryan Schuckburgh sitting third. If either cowboy were to win tonight’s round and then finish at the top of the aggregate while Guenther didn’t place, they have a very small chance of overtaking the defending champion.
Ladies Breakaway Roping presented by Cook County Saloon
Bradi Whiteside has almost completely guaranteed her second consecutive breakaway championship after making the fastest run of the night for the third straight round, this time sharing the victory lap. Kendal Pierson has roped outstanding this week, and stands as the only competitor with all four calves caught. If she catches tonight, the aggregate title is guaranteed, but a miss could allow several other competitors, namely Bradi, to take it from her.
Ladies Barrel Racing presented by RAM
Coming in as the tightest event with all twelve competitors with a legitimate chance at entering and leaving Edmonton with the title. We have narrowed it down to a final round with Karli Cowie and Austyn Tobey essentially in a dead heat, with Tobey slightly ahead in earnings while Cowie holds a 0.06 second lead in the aggregate. The third competitor with four clean runs, Suzanne Depaoli, plays a critical part in either racers’ chances, with a slim title chance if she were to win on Saturday night outright while leapfrogging to the top of the aggregate.
Tie-Down Roping presented by FarmFair International
Austin Hines has been a man on a mission at CFR 52, winning his third round while placing on his other calf. He has a firm grasp on his title chances, with a solid, clean run almost guaranteeing his first Canadian Championship.
Season Leader Logan Bird comes into the final round in second highest earnings, but with several ropers between him and Hines in the aggregate, needs a few things to work in his favour to earn his second title.
Shane Smith remains the closest to Hines for the aggregate title, and with five more ropers with times on all four calves, the aggregate title could end up playing out a few different ways.
Saddle Bronc Riding presented by Calgary Stampede
We have an absolute slug fest lined up for Saturday Night in the Saddle bronc, with Zeke Thurston suddenly finding himself looking up at Ben Andersen in both the standings and the aggregate race.
If Ben Andersen’s ride aboardMacza Pro Rodeo’s 6 Squash Blossom Steely Dan places him ahead of Thurston, he will claim his first title, while stopping Thurston’s record of consecutive titles at six.
Zeke Thurston needs to have another great matchup with Calgary Stampede’s D-19 Dandy Delight, while moving ahead of Andersen in the aggregate race by enough points. We know Thurston remains capable of almost anything, and won the Ponoka Showdown on the mare several years ago.
Team Roping presented by Century Mile Racetrack & Casino
After Kavis Drake and Denim Ross won their second go-round of CFR 52, they sit at the top of the standings for the Canadian and CFR championships. A clean run tonight will clinch both for the young pairing.
However, the team with the best mathematical chance of catching them should they stumble is the veteran tandem of Brett Buss and Joey Romo II. Although they are fourth in the standings and almost nine seconds behind the young guns in the aggregate, the teams just ahead of them have two missed steers, leaving them without any aggregate earnings. For Buss and Romo, a fast run gives them the best opportunity to force an upset.
Bull Riding presented by Explore Edmonton
Grady Young may have bucked down early for the first time at CFR 52 this afternoon, but he has mathematically clinched his first Canadian Championship.
After Jordan Hansen won the round this afternoon to become the only other rider with two scores, he could overtake Young for the aggregate title with a score of 84.75 points or greater, combined with a Young buckoff. I’m not sure if I’d put much money on that playing out as Young will look to bounce back on his final bull.
For the full list of this year’s CFR qualifiers and many more stories, go to
For a full schedule of events taking place at Rogers Place and around Edmonton during rodeo weekend, check out the Canadian Finals Rodeo webpage at cfr.ca
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About CPRA
The Canadian Professional Rodeo Association (CPRA) with headquarters in Airdrie, Alta. is the official sanctioning body for Professional Rodeo in Canada. The CPRA approves 60+ events annually with a total payout just shy of $8 million. The organization oversees the Massey Ferguson Pro Tour Finale September 2-5 in Armstrong, BC, holds their premiere event–the Canadian Finals Rodeo (CFR) at Rogers Place in Edmonton, AB October 7-10 and sanctions the Maple Leaf Circuit Finals November 25-28 as part of Canadian Western Agribition in Regina, SK. For details, please see RodeoCanada.com
The Canadian Finals Rodeo is the premier rodeo event in Canada, bringing together the nation’s top rodeo athletes to compete for national championships. Powered by ATB and proudly produced by Explore Edmonton, the Canadian Finals Rodeo is where the best rodeo athletes come together to compete, celebrate, and make history. Held annually in Edmonton, the CFR is a celebration of Western heritage, sport, and community. The Canadian Finals Rodeo takes place at Rogers Place Arena from October 7-10, 2026.
Explore Edmonton is the Destination Marketing and Management Organization for Edmonton, connecting experiences, events, venues, and stories to attract visitors and elevate the city’s profile. The organization drives economic, cultural, and community impact through the visitor economy, while stewarding key venues and producing iconic events.
Photos and video footage of tonight’s events are available for media. Please contact us for more information or to schedule an interview:
Tya Waterman, Carissa Barke
CFR Media Centre e. cfrmedia@exploreedmonton.com
p. 587-930-8198
or
Barb Poulsen
CPRA Communications and Media
Phone: 403 625-9225
Email: media@rodeocanada.com