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Cloverdale Rodeo finishes with upsets, injuries

The finals saw one major injury, three $20K cheques and one $45K cheque
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Grace Kennedy photo Bareback bronc rider Ty Taypotat after his winning ride at the 2017 Cloverdale Rodeo finals.

The rodeo finals were not a smooth ride for many competitors on Monday afternoon, especially not for Ponoka, Alberta representatives.

Ponoka saddle bronc rider Luke Butterfield got his foot caught in part of the saddle during his ride, and ended on the ground with a broken leg. He was taken out of the arena and brought to Royal Columbian Hospital, where his family met him.

Ponoka bull riders Wacey Finkbeiner and Tyler Pankewitz were both bucked off their rides during the finals — as was every other bull rider. As a result the top contestant in Pool A and Pool B, Scott Schiffner and Finkbeiner respectively, faced off against each other.

In Finkbeiner’s ride, he slapped the bull with his right hand and was disqualified, leading to a 90-point win and $45,000 for Schiffner.

That was the largest prize given out at the Cloverdale Rodeo, although saddle bronc rider Cort Scheer, bareback bronc rider Ty Taypotat and barrel racer Kirsty White all went home with $20,000 cheques, in addition to the rest of the money they won during the rodeo.

In total, more than 110,000 people attended the Cloverdale Rodeo and Country Fair during the long weekend, and 21,000 of those visited the rodeo itself.

Bull Riding

Scott Schiffner, Strathmore, AB – ($45,000 FINALS)

Bareback Riding

1) Ty Taypotat Regina, SK– 91.5 points ($20,000 FINALS)

2) Wyatt Denny, Mandan NV– 91 points ($10,000 FINALS)

3) & 4) Seth Hardwick, Laramie WY – 88.5 points (TIED) ($5,000 FINALS)

3) & 4) Clayton Biglow, Clements CA– 88.5 points (TIED) ($5,000 FINALS)

5) & 6) David Peebles, Redmond OR – 87.5 points (TIED) ($1,666.67 FINALS)

5) & 6) JR Vezain, Cowley WY– 87.5 points (TIED) ($1,666.67 FINALS)

5) & 6) Chase Erickson, Helena MT – 87.5 points (TIED) ($1,666.67 FINALS)

Saddle Bronc Riding

1) Cort Scheer, Elsmer NE- 91 points ($20,000 FINALS)

2)Mitch Pollock, Twin Falls ID-89 points ($10,000 FINALS)

3) Layton Green, Meeting Creek AB – 87.5 points ($6,000 FINALS)

4) Chuck Schmidt, Celdron SD– 86.5 points ($4,000 FINALS)

5) Clay Elliot, Nanton AB– 86 points ($3,000 FINALS)

6) Heath Demoss, Heflin, LO – 83 points ($2,000 FINALS)

Ladies Barrel Racing

Kristy White, Big Valley AB – 15.925 seconds ($20,000 FINALS)

Carmen Pozzobon, Aldergrove BC – 15.964 seconds ($10,000 FINALS)

Nikki Hansen, Vale SD – 16.042 seconds ($6,000 FINALS)

Becky Fuson, Conrad MT – 16.107 seconds ($4,000 FINALS)

Kylie Whiteside, Dewinton AB- 16.244 seconds ($3,000 FINALS)

Jessica Leech, Rockville, NE - 16.504 seconds ($2,000 FINALS)

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Grace Kennedy photo Saddle bronc rider Luke Butterfield was hung up on his horse at the 2017 Cloverdale Rodeo finals.
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Grace Kennedy photos Saddle bronc rider Luke Butterfield was taken to hospital with a broken leg after a fall at the 2017 Cloverdale Rodeo.
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Grace Kennedy photo Bareback bronc rider Chase Erickson at the 2017 Cloverdale Rodeo finals on Monday, May 22.
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Grace Kennedy photo Bareback bronc rider Richie Champion at the 2017 Cloverdale Rodeo on Monday, May 22.
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Grace Kennedy photo Many riders lept or fell of their mounts during the 2017 Cloverdale Rodeo finals.
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Grace Kennedy photo Every bull rider was bucked off their mount during the finals at the 2017 Cloverdale Rodeo.
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Grace Kennedy photo Every bull rider was bucked off their mount during the finals at the 2017 Cloverdale Rodeo.