Novice and Junior CPRA Leaders Ready for the Big Stage

* Canadian Rodeo News CFR Novice and Jr Steer Riding Primer by Clay Creasy

While the veteran superstars of the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association command the major headlines, the future of the sport shines brightly. This season, three young athletes—Trey Shadlock, Quaide Skjonsberg, and Ryder Topolinski—captured the regular-season titles in their respective events, earning the opportunity to showcase the next generation of Canadian rodeo talent on the biggest stage.

Quaide Skjonsberg – Novice Bareback Season Leader

The reigning Canadian Novice Bareback Riding champion, Quaide Skjonsberg, enters this year’s CFR as the season leader. However, with a rule change returning the novice championships to a sudden death format, his regular-season ranking provides no advantage in his quest for a second title. “It will be interesting this year,” shared the Bluffton, AB, cowboy. He arrives as the only returning novice competitor from last year’s CFR.

Although his top ranking might suggest the season went smoothly, Skjonsberg felt he “made more mistakes” than he did in 2025 after he dealt with some equipment trouble and a handful of failed mark outs. He did feel that he improved on the business side of the sport by being more strategic with his rodeo schedule.

After his 2025 title only became possible when he entered and won enough at Manitoba rodeos during the final weekend to remain mathematically within reach of 2024 champion Jace Lomheim, Skjonsberg felt this season’s qualifying format allowed him to be more selective. “With only needing to qualify (for the CFR), I could be a bit more selective in the rodeos I went to.”

When he needed to show up in a big way, Skjonsberg delivered. He successfully defended his Ponoka Stampede title from a year ago with a 77-point score. Another critical performance arose in Sundre, where he arrived knowing he needed to win the rodeo to earn a qualifying spot to the Calgary Stampede through its Novice series. After securing the Sundre victory, he then successfully defended his Calgary title as well.

Having defended titles at two large Stampedes in Canada, the 18-year-old will look to do the same at Rogers Place.

Regardless of his CFR result, The first year Montana Western competitor will make a long trek to Dickinson, ND for the final college rodeo of the fall season. Before making that journey, however, his attention will remain firmly on his title defence against first-time qualifiers Brady Schlesinger and Eylam Podolak.

Trey Shadlock – Novice Saddle Bronc Season Leader

With all three Novice Saddle Bronc competitors making their CFR debuts this year, Trey Shadlock completed the 2026 season at the top of the pack with over $20,000 in earnings between CPRA Novice Saddle Bronc and approved semi-professional Saddle Bronc Riding events.

The Debden, SK, cowboy enjoyed a breakthrough season while maintaining a busy schedule, “hitting 4-5 rodeos each weekend.” With the depth of the Novice Saddle Bronc field in 2026, Shadlock felt like he “couldn’t ever take a break” for fear of falling out of the top three.

His Canadian season got off to a delayed start after he made sure he had competed at enough rodeos on his chosen PRCA circuit, the Turquoise Circuit in New Mexico and Arizona. Once he returned to Canada, however, the results began to come consistently. 

After several runner-up finishes on the CPRA schedule in June, Shadlock claimed the top spot in Novice Saddle Bronc at the Teepee Creek Stampede. One night that stood out as both memorable and profitable came in Vauxhall, AB.

After his first horse shook its halter off before the eight second mark, Shadlock weathered the storm before being offered a re-ride. He made the most of that opportunity, winning the rodeo and taking home more than $3,600 toward his season standings.

Although Shadlock may be making his debut inside Rogers Place, he lives in a neighbouring community to 2024 Novice Saddle Bronc Champion Lonnie Dunn, with the two attending the same high school in Big River, SK.

The 20 year old Shadlock will face off against Mundare’s Cooper McNiven and Sawyer Hutchinson of Grassmere, B.C. as he looks to finish the week with the same recognition earned by Dunn.

Much like Skjonsberg, the Eastern Wyoming College sophomore will finish his CFR competition on Friday night before heading south for a college rodeo in Cheyenne, WY. He will then compete at the Turquoise Circuit Finals Rodeo in November.



Ryder Topolinski – Junior Steer Riding Season Leader

After a tremendous 2025 season where he “didn’t have very high expectations,” steer rider Ryder Topolinski entered this year carrying more pressure on himself, and he “was getting bucked off a few” while letting that pressure impact his performance.

Despite the slower start, the Grande Prairie, AB, cowboy claimed the title at his hometown rodeo at the end of May. He felt he regained his championship form toward the end of June, and a tremendous weekend in July saw him win CPRA rodeos in Benalto and Teepee Creek, as well as the Calgary Stampede.

He credited renewed confidence for helping turn his season around.

“I just had the right mindset, thinking nothing could buck me off.”

After claiming the year-end steer riding awards for the Lakeland and Wildrose rodeo associations, the 15-year-old will look to defend his title as the only qualifier making a return to Rogers Place.

This year will be even more special for Topolinski, as he gets to compete alongside his travelling partner and half-brother, Auzyn Corr, who qualified in Bull Riding.

“I’m happy for him, hopefully we both ride good, and it should be lots of fun!”

After navigating very different paths to the top of their respective standings, Skjonsberg, Shadlock and Topolinski will have one final weekend to parlay their regular-season success into a Canadian championship at Rogers Place.

2026 NOVICE and JR STEER RIDING QUALIFIERS