November 30, 2024
For steer wrestler Landon Beardsworth, his first time qualifying for the Maple Leaf Circuit Finals was one of those full circle moments in life. And factor in that the 2024 CPRA season leader came away with both the Finals and overall Circuit titles—it made for a special week
“My first amateur Finals was here ten years ago. The CCA Finals,” the 28 year-old cowboy recalled. “To come back and get the win for the Circuit Finals is pretty special. And honestly, it was just as cold then as now. I was in college in New Mexico and flew back for it. It was minus 30 everyday – similar to this year. All the locals around here say it’ll be nice next week!”
Beardsworth’s performance was the definition of solid as he put together a week comprising two seconds and two fourths for the aggregate total of 18.0 seconds on four runs – good for a narrow eight-tenths of a second margin over the superstar veteran Curtis Cassidy.
The long, tall dogger acknowledged that the Regina success will keep the momentum building as he gets ready for 2025. ”It absolutely does that. It was a great way to end the year off. I had bigger intentions at the CFR than the way it went. But I got some money and learned a lot. And this week was just a great end to the season. They are great hosts out here. It’s hard to beat the building and all the fans that come out. Then to get a win and finish it off like this, yeah, that gives a guy a lot of momentum.”
In addition to the money that counts in both the Canadian and World standings in 2025, there was excitement in Beardsworth’s voice as he acknowledged the significance of a berth in the July NFR Open in Colorado Springs that goes to the Circuit and Finals champions.
“It’s exciting,” he admitted. “I went to the San Antonio qualifier last week in Uvalde and got into that rodeo. I should get into Fort Worth too, and I’ll go to the Denver qualifier. Now getting into the NFR Open and hopefully Calgary next year, I’m definitely wanting to make a push for the NFR.”
For bronc rider Lucas Macza, the Maple Leaf Circuit Finals is a different story. This win this week marks the third time he’s won the overall Circuit title although this was his first Finals win.
Macza was also quick to point to the confidence boost the Finals win provides. “It’s huge,” he acknowledged. “I never thought I would’ve ridden alongside these guys, the awesome guys who have won this event, so to do that and be on top means you’re supposed to be here, and you can compete with them. It makes you believe in yourself and strive for greatness.”
It was the 27-year-old cowboy’s consistency over the four go-rounds that took him to his first Finals title. Macza rode to the winner’s circle courtesy of two round wins, a second-place finish in another round and the aggregate title with 335 points on four rides for a six-point margin over second place finisher Nicholas Patterson.
Other winners at the $202,000 rodeo were bareback rider, Kody Lamb (324.5 points on four head), team ropers Grady Quam and Brady Chappel (30.6 seconds on three runs), barrel racer Blake Molle (55.71 seconds on four runs), breakaway roper Bobbi Henderson (10.5 seconds on four runs), tie-down roper Logan Bird (34.3 seconds on four runs) and bull rider Chanse Switzer (310 points on four head).
2024 Maple Leaf Circuit champions are Macza, Beardsworth, Bird and Henderson alongside bareback rider Dallas Hay, team ropers Kolton Schmidt (header) and Denim Ross, barrel racer Brooke Wills and bull rider Edgar Durazo.
* Complete unofficial results here