Catching up with CPRA General Manager Denny Phipps
N ow that we are in May, the days are getting longer, the temperatures warmer, the debate between straw or felt hats is ongoing and we’re enjoying outdoor rodeos again! The start of the season has had fantastic action and great crowds, entries have been strong, and the competition heated, contestants and animals have all come to town ready to com- pete. It is fun to see the strong showing and if this is any indicator of the season ahead, it will tougher than ever to make the cut for CFR 50! We have a number of multi time winners already in the young season and the best is yet to come. I was very pleased to be able to announce a multi year extension with SMS Equipment as the title Sponsor of our Pro Tour, the SMS Equipment Pro Rodeo Tour. SMS Equipment and the CPRA share a lot of common corporate values surrounding hard work, perseverance, doing the right thing and integrity – making this a great fit for a partnership. This multi year partnership will allow the CPRA, our Tour events, and SMS Equipment to plan not just for 2024 but into the future. After a lot of number crunching by the CPRA Board and leadership team the CFR payout was announced (see page 14) and after months of not being able to give too much information out, it have been great to finally release to the membership what everyone will be competing for at Rogers Place in October when contes - tants via for their share of over $1.5 million dollars (these numbers do not include BAW payout). Go round winners will take home $11,100 a night with the average winner on five head/five runs taking home $16,650 at week’s end; opening up the opportunity for someone to earn nearly $28,000 Saturday night if they win both the round and the aver - age!
The Breakaway Roping continues to grow and will be featured in all five performances of the Canadian Finals Ro - deo with 12 contestants again qualifying. BAW prize money will come from a separate bucket of money which in part will be funded by the
CPRA. The remaining monies will be funded by the efforts of the BAW ropers and their fund raising endeavors (please watch for their fund raising auction later in the year.) CFR 50 Tickets went on sale May 10 for previ - ous All IN Pack holders on and they will go on sale to the general public in the coming weeks. We know that fans are excited to get their seats and we are looking forward to seeing you in October. The CPRA is saddened by the loss of Patrick Gottsch. I’ve had the opportunity to work closely with Patrick, the founder of The Cow - boy Channel, over the past year and appreci- ated the time we spent working to expand the reach of Canadian Rodeos. Patrick’s passion for Rodeo was unwavering. Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Gottsch family and everyone at Rural Media Group. Patrick Gottsch’s legacy will be felt for years to come as the sport of Rodeo has never had more ex - posure or reach and he will be dearly missed.
Denny Phipps
Canadian Rodeo News – May, 2024 – 4
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