It’s being described as the “greatest 15 minutes in the history of Canadian Professional Rodeo.”
That’s how Barb Poulsen with the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association (CPRA) is describing a Canadian hat trick of sorts in the rodeo world.
It’s the first time in history three Canadians have each captured world titles at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (WNFR), held this weekend in Las Vegas.
Levi Simpson and Jeremy Buhler won in the Team Roping event, and Zeke Thurston won in Saddle Bronc Riding.
Simpson hails from Ponoka and Buhler from Arrowwood. The duo had already made history when they became the first all-Canadian team to qualify for the WNFR.
The pair put together a 4.3-second run in the 10th and final go round, winning a whopping $67,269.23 per man.
The first-time qualifiers were World Champions, Simpson with $249,133.31 in season earnings and Buhler earning $258,311.13.
“The talented twosome roped nine of 10 steers, placed on seven, winning the first round and splitting first and second in two more including the critical 10th round,” Poulsen said in a release Sunday. “When the announcement was made, both cowboys were close to speechless, unlike the Canadian fans, both in the arena and back in Canada. The roar of approval was long and very loud.”
Zeke Thurston of Big Valley, a second-generation qualifier, put together a solid ride for an 86 score to split 3/4 in the round and $13,326.92.
Thurston went on to beat the current record holder Jake Watson, to a season total of $265,449.45.
“I wouldn’t trade it for anything,” Thurston said. “I just can’t believe it. It’s crazy. I had a good week. I started off a little slow but things picked up. Luckily I was able to stay on nine of them.”
Other notables include Jake Vold, who ended his NFR with a sixth place finish. Canadian champion Clay Elliott, the third member of the talented Canadian bronc riding trio, captured fifth place in the final round collecting $6,769.23.
Manitoba’s Orin Larsen who re-injured separated ribs in the first round of this Finals, wound up third in the world standings with $219,372.59.