The Maple Leaf Circuit Finals are one week away, scheduled to unfold at Canadian Western Agribition in Regina, Saskatchewan. The highly anticipated rodeo is set to run from Wednesday, November 22nd to Saturday, November 25th. This premier event will showcase the top 10 teams from the Maple Leaf Circuit standings throughout the 2023 season, engaging in four performances that promise not only nightly and average payouts but also the coveted chance to compete at the NFR Open in Pikes Peak, Colorado.
Beyond the immediate rewards, there's an added advantage for the 10 qualifying teams: the money earned at the Circuit Finals next week will contribute to the 2024 Canadian standings. For young Circuit Finals qualifiers, Brody and Logan Groves, this is an exciting opportunity to get a head start on the 2024 season after falling just short of their first CFR in 2023.
Logan, the oldest brother and heeler of the duo, finished in the 15th spot of the standings, just $1,000 shy of his first Canadian Finals. Similarly, younger brother Brody finished 14th in the heading standings and a similar amount of dollars out of the top twelve. However, their season was good enough to qualify the pair for the Circuit Finals this coming week in Regina.
“I’m super excited for the Circuit Finals” says Logan, “especially the fact that the money counts towards the 2024 standings. Coming so close this year, we could have used the extra money come crunch time.”
With four opportunities to secure round money and an average payout, the Groves brothers have a golden chance to establish their names and accumulate earnings before the 2024 season gains full momentum.
Logan adds, “The circuit finals would be a good way to get our upcoming season started on the right foot, and hopefully carry the momentum into the spring rodeos!”
Speaking of momentum, the Saskatchewan duo of Tee McLeod and Brady Chappel is poised to bring an electrifying performance to the Maple Leaf Circuit Finals, riding the momentum of a stellar 2023 rodeo season. Chappel and Mcleod are no strangers to success, having standout performances at the Canadian Cowboys Association Finals in October and CFR49 just a couple of weeks ago. The duo went 4.3, 3.6 and 4.9 at the CCA Finals to win Chappel his 6th championship and Mcleod his 2nd. A couple of weeks ago in Red Deer, they would place in 4 out of 6 rounds and finish 5th in the average to take home over $25,000 in CFR earnings. There is no doubt that this team is set to make waves on their 'home-turf' in Saskatchewan next week.
When talking about speed it is hard not to mention the Schmidt brothers, Tate and Kagen, who promise another dynamic display of roping prowess. Holding the record for the fastest team roping run on Canadian soil, set just a year ago at the Maple Leaf Circuit Finals in Regina with an impressive time of 3.3 seconds, their presence guarantees an exhilarating show as they look to blow the roof off the Brandt Centre once again.
The remaining competitors include: the number one header in the 2023 Maple Leaf Circuit standings, past CFR header Grady Quam, who will rope alongside his partner Devin Wigemyr, a multiple time CFR heeler.
The veteran team in the field is made up of 10x Canadian Finals Rodeo Qualifier and 2015 Canadian champion header, Roland McFadden, alongside his 3x Canadian Champion heeler, Tyrel Flewelling. Chase Simpson, another past Canadian Champion, will heel for Blue Ridge, Alberta’s Travis Speer, who is fresh off his second Canadian Finals appearance.
And, while they were not partnered up for the 2023 season, another pair of Canadian Champions will get to play together in Regina. Clay Ullery and Tyce Mcleod won the 2021 Canadian Championship roping together and are reuniting to showcase their winning chemistry next week after their respective partners, Jake Edwards and Tuftin Mcleod did not qualify.
Other mismatched teams include Luke Skocdopole and 2023 Canadian All-Around Champion, Logan Spady. Colton Klassen will join forces with 7x CFR Qualifier, Kasper Roy who leads the standings on the heel side. While an exciting pair of youngsters round out the field with Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan cowboy Kavis Drake teaming up with 2x CFR heeler, Denim Ross.
For fans eager to catch the action, the first performance kicks off at 7 pm on Wednesday, November 22nd, with free admission courtesy of the Mosaic Company. Subsequent performances are scheduled for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night, with doors opening at 6 pm and the show commencing at 7 pm.
Stay tuned for real-time coverage and live results as the excitement unfolds.
-Around The Saddle Horn
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