Curtis Cassidy has been in so many Canadian Finals Rodeo’s (CFR) it’s become challenging to keep track.
When asked how many CFR’s he’s appeared in he pondered and said approximately 25 over his career.
The central Alberta steer wrestler continued his success Thursday evening at the Peavey Mart Centrium when he tied for first with Stephen Culling after a 3.6-second run.
Cassidy said to get that fast of a time you have to get good steers but he gave credit to the speed of his horse Dashin Haze also known as Tyson, who won the 2022 horse of the year.
“That’s super important as well, drawing good steers, and then the rest is up to us to get a good start and make a good run,” Cassidy said.
The horsepower makes a huge difference in this event but in this particular venue, Cassidy said the initial jump out of the gate is also important.
“The big deal here is having that quick speed when you drop your hand to go,” he added.
It was discovered early in Tyson’s career he would be too strong for barrel racing and once Cassidy began to train him he found Tyson was perfect for steer wrestling.
The competitors in steer wrestling make it look easy and Cassidy explained it takes a lot more strength to bring down a steer than people realize.
“Technique is also a huge part of it because I’ve seen bodybuilders, MMA fighters, and all them guys come and try to throw steers down,” he said. “They think they’re going to overpower a 600-pound steer. It does not happen,” he laughed. “You’re only a 200-pound man and you’re not near as strong as a steer. Strength is important but technique and athletic ability are huge as well.”
Out of the 25 CFR appearances, Cassidy is a two-time champion in steer wrestling, a one-time champion in tie-down roping, and has won the high point award nine times.
He explained it takes many years to master the sport but not as long as calf roping. In calf roping, there are so many fine details he said you almost have to grow up with a rope in your hand in order to be competitive when you get into your late teen years.
“It takes so much time to be good at calf roping but steer wrestling you can catch on to it if you have a little bit of horse background,” he said.
The results for the rest of the events are as follows:
Bullriding:
1) Dawson Shannon 86.50
2) Lonnie West 85.75
T3) Wyatt Gleeson and Jared Parsonage 85.25
Steer wrestling:
T1) Stephen Culling and Curtis Cassidy 3.6
3) James Struxness 3.7
Bareback:
1) Caleb Bennett 86.00
2) Ty Taypotat 85.00
T3) Leighton Berry and Dantan Bertsch 84.25
Ladies barrels:
1) Kylie Whiteside 13.94
2) Stacey Ruzicka 13.96
3) Bertina Olafson 14.02
Team roping:
1) Travis Speer 4.8
2) Dawson Graham 5.0
3) Logan Bonnett
Novice saddlebronc
1) Tyrel Roberts 73.75
2) Jaret Cooper 68.75
Novice Bareback
1) Blake Link 80.25
2) Chase Siemens 76.00
3) Jackson Stannard 66.50