The Lakeland Rodeo Association Finals kick off tonight in St. Paul, Alberta, featuring a clean slate Showdown with the top 10 headers and heelers of the 2024 regular season. No roper had as exceptional of a season as Stettler's own Caleb Fawcett who amassed $11,707 in earnings—nearly $2,000 more than second-place header and 2022 LRA Champion Koby Ziemmer.
Fawcett, an 11th-grade high school student, has qualified for the Lakeland Finals three consecutive years, previously teaming up with his father, six-time CFR team roping heeler Matt Fawcett. In 2024, however, Caleb found most of his success partnering with long-time CFR qualifier Rocky Ross.
When asked about his season with Ross, Caleb said, "It was a lot of fun. It’s just cool knowing that he's going to clean up back there, no matter what kind of handle I throw at him." He added that Ross "knows how to win," and WIN they did, securing first-place finishes in Hardisty and Castor, splitting first at Saddle Lake, and placing at several other rodeos. Among Caleb's favorite runs was their 6.8-second finish for 2/3 at Gooseberry Lake, which he called his 'smoothest' run of the season. His fastest run, a 5.3 to win Smokey Lake, was also a highlight.
Notably, while Ross was away on a fishing trip, Caleb roped with his dad for the final weekend of the rodeo season. Together, they clinched first at 3 out of 4 rodeos (Kikino, Fort Assiniboine & Didsbury), earning $2,270 each and solidifying Caleb's status as season leader.
Horsepower has undoubtedly contributed to Fawcett's impressive season. His primary mount, 'Thief,' is an 8-year-old sorrel gelding that he got from Brooke Pomeranz, sired by DEBT ELIMINATOR, a DASH TA FAME son out of a MARTHAS SIX MOONS daughter. Thief has been instrumental in Caleb's success, not only in amateur competitions but also as the Alberta High School Rodeo's Horse of the Year for the past two years, helping Caleb secure two consecutive AHSRA Provincial titles. He also relies on his 10-year-old grey head horse from Paul Bonnett, which has been his go-to for jackpot events this summer, ranging from small draw pots to World Series Qualifiers.
Fawcett prefers the HELIX Lite from Lonestar Ropes in an XS lay, a switch he made this season from the XS FRIO from Lonestar.
When asked who he admires in the team roping world, he quickly responded, "Coleman Proctor. He has the best attitude, whether he misses or not. He just moves on to the next one and is always having fun. He's someone I really look up to and hope to be like."
With significant success already under his belt, Fawcett is hungry for more. His short-term goals include winning the Lakeland and Wildrose Finals this fall, with aspirations to compete in CPRA rodeos next year, aiming to 'get his feet wet' before pursuing his ultimate dream of becoming a CFR Finalist and Canadian Champion, and possibly making a run at the NFR in Las Vegas.
Caleb isn’t the only young talent competing this weekend in St. Paul. His current High School Rodeo partner, Trey Nowosad, will be spinning steers for veteran Mark Fletcher of Wainwright. Travis Reay, who primarily teamed up with Caleb's father Matt snuck into the heading side and will team up at the Finals with Caleb's 2024 AHSRA Champion heeler, Cash Littau. The field also includes 2022 LRA Champion header Koby Ziemmer, who will team with last year's reserve champion heeler and this year's season leader, Dawson Pratt. Sheldon and Braden Lange return for their second consecutive year as the only set of brothers in the competition. Father-son duos include Barrhead's Cole and David Schmidt, as well as Camrose's Coy and Brett McCarroll. Vermillion's Darci MacMillan will rope with her uncle, Ronald Schmidt, while Randon Ross partners with Cole Brain of Bellis, instead of his father, Rocky. Rounding out this year’s finalists are Brodie McBride and Justin Buhler.
With a sudden death 5-round format, the title is anybody's to win, stay tuned on live updates all weekend long right here.
Comentários