Crowley Narrowly Captures First Season Leader Title

* Canadian Rodeo News CFR Ladies Barrel Racing Primer by Dianne Finstad


If you want a snapshot of just how close the barrel racing has been in Canada this season, check out the top two finishers.

Heather Crowley edged two-time Canadian Champion Taylor Manning out of the one title she hasn’t yet claimed – Season Leader.

The difference? A mere $180.

Ironically, the drama didn’t really register with Crowley until it was over.

“My goal was just to make the CFR,” says Crowley. “I didn’t know they did anything for season leader, so I wasn’t too worried about it.”

It wasn’t until Armstrong when she found out there’s a saddle presented to the season leader.

“I guess it wasn’t stressful for me,” chuckled the first-time CFR qualifier. “All those runs and all those rodeos, and it comes down to that (little).”

Both competitors, who are good friends, comment on what a competitive year it’s been in their event, and the numbers back that up. Only $11,587 separates the top from the last qualifying hole, which is essentially a first-place go-round cheque at the CFR. The race to the championship has not been this tight over the last decade.

When Crowley and her husband JC , a tie-down roper, left their ranch in Poplar, MT this spring, the goal was to get Heather to the CFR.

“I knew I had enough horse, and she was at the point where she was ready to try it out,” says Crowley of Lucy, her eight-old mare, which came out of Wisconsin.

While the duo won money consistently, a highlight for Crowley was the eastern combination of Regina and Morris, the closest rodeos to home for her.

“That was a fun weekend but it’s a tough one because Regina is a tiny, small indoor (pen) and Morris is a big outdoor one. She won third at Regina, and then we won Morris. That was the only rodeo I won outright, so my kids thought that was really cool to see me win the buckle.”

The Crowley’s travel as a family, with seven-year-old daughter Thea and five-year-old son Dash part of her support team.  It’s a big commitment to step away from the family’s busy farm operation to rodeo, but this year has made it worthwhile, as she looks to Edmonton.

“I’m very excited. It’s a very cool opportunity, regardless of how it ends up. But I also have a lot of confidence in my horse and I think it will be a good pen for her.”

“My most favorite part about going to Canada is they’re so welcoming and helpful,” comments Crowley.

There are so many story lines among this year’s CFR barrel racing contingent. There’s the dramatic season-ending burst that shot Colby Bonnett up to third in the standings and back to Edmonton to join the three Bonnett boys, or Karli Cowie’s last day/last run clinch of a CFR spot. There are the first-time appearances of both Austyn Tobey of Minnesota and Tammy Lee Taylor of Sherwood Park (originally from Moosomin, SK).

But it’s hard to beat the feel-good tale that is Suzanne DePaoli, making the cut at 74 years of age, which puts her in the record books as the oldest CFR qualifier. DePaoli is OK talking about her birthday total, because she thrives on staying young at heart.

DePaoli took out her pro card at 19 years old, and remembers her first pro adventure was with Frances Hargrave at the Edmonton Spring Rodeo in 1971, which was 55 years ago. Her storied career includes a 1973 Calgary Stampede Queen title, marrying roper Don DePaoli, ranching in Longview, and raising two boys. Her first CFR was 1989, then 2002-03, and 2008, before this year’s fifth qualification.

“Very spread out,” chuckles DePaoli, about her CFR record.

The prospect of another trip to Edmonton was so close last season, when she ended up in 17^th place.

“I thought I’m just going to give it a good go,” says DePaoli, believing she had the horsepower to take her back in 2026, in the big red horse she calls Red Tag, who suits her well.

“He was constantly placing, and coming on strong this year for sure. He’s got a super good pattern, and he goes out there and does his best job every time.”

A win at High River, close to home, was big, but it was the reserve championship at the Ponoka Stampede which made another CFR a reality, as she finished 5^th in the Canadian standings.

Lately, the barn got a little fuller when DePaoli’s purchased another barrel horse named Steven, from Rebecca Miller.

“He’s quite a free runner and more of an indoor horse. Red Tag has placed inside and he’s decent, but going to the Finals, I just really wanted to have something that I could step on if I have to, or if I decide to start on him. He’s definitely a quick sprinter.”

DePaoli is just as excited now about rodeoing as she was when she started.

“Honestly, I think I’m a little gypsy at heart. I just love to go. I love our ranch, but I just love to go to the rodeos. It’s so fun to get away, to visit with everybody. I’m healthy – I work out all the time and try to stay strong. I might as well keep going,” she smiles.

“So many people say ‘when I get 65 then I’m retiring and laying on the beach’. I think it’s really important to show the world that it’s great to be active and keep going, even if you are 74. Everybody thinks it’s so old, but I don’t feel that old!”

There’s no doubt barrel racing will be one of the most exciting event races to watch at the CFR.

“It’s crazy. It’s anybody’s game,” says DePaoli. “There’s so many good horses and good riders. What a time in life to be going, when it’s so competitive! No matter what happens at the Finals, I’m just so glad to be there.”

2026 CFR LADIES BARREL RACING QUALIFIERS