With only three events remaining in the 2026 CPRA season, one rodeo, the Tour Finale and one special event; the only rodeo of the past weekend—Nanton Pro Rodeo—took on added significance for cowboys and cowgirls eyeing coveted CFR berths.
Steer wrestler Landon Beardsworth, vying for his second CFR appearance, helped his cause as the 2024 season leader topped the field at Nanton with a 4.0 second run and a $1643 payday that moved him to 8th place in the crowded bulldogging battle for the final spots in the twelve-man finals roster. Ryan Schuckburg with a $1107 and to a lesser extent, the well-traveled Ontarian Tim Kemp ($577) padded their earnings totals although Kemp remains in a precarious 11th place. Joseph King who is clinging to 12th spot and the three men in 13th through 15th–Carter McIntyre, Ben Mitchell and Quentin Branden–were all blanked in Nanton.
In the tie-down roping, the story was at the other end of the leaderboard as the number one ranked man, Logan Bird, built on what has been a tremendous season for the 2017 Canadian Champion. Bird, who has a shot at a sixth season leader honour, and superstar horse, Peso, combined for the hometown win with a 9.0 second run for $1934.
And in the barrel racing battle, the three cowgirls duking it out for the final couple of CFR spots, Kirby Penttila (11th), Rene Leclercq (12th) and Blake Molle (13th) finished 1st, 2nd and 3rd at Nanton.
That sets the stage for a dramatic final weekend that could well see the CFR positioning decided on the last run of the season as it was a year ago for Penttila who seized the day with the 2025 Pro Tour Finals barrel racing win.
The battle for both the Massey Ferguson Pro Tour Champions and 2026 CFR qualifiers wraps up this coming weekend with the final CPRA regular season events:
- Armstrong, BC Massey Ferguson Pro Rodeo Tour Finale Sept 2-5
- Nicola Valley Pro Rodeo, Merritt, BC Sept 5-6
- Valley West Stampede, Langley, BC Sept 5-7
For contestant-stock rosters, event details, standings and unofficial results go to rodeocanada.com