All right, Gabi, you’ve only been here a week but it’s time for the gloves to come off. The Armstrong IPE and Stampede proudly displays the flags and anthems of both countries many of their cowboys, and often their fans, come from — so it’s time we show our own national pride.

We’re going to go head-to-head. You’ve picked your American team, but my canucks are going to #rodeowreck your team. 

Watch the Finning Pro Tour: Armstrong IPE & Stampede and the Finning Pro Tour FinalsLIVE on FloRodeo August 29 to September 2.

Tie-Down Roping

Katy’s Pick: Kyle Lucas

1. Lucas is No. 1 in the Finning Pro Tour standings, he’s been steady-eddy all year on the tour and has the points to prove it. He’s placed at Wainwright, Morris, Medicine Hat, and those are the events he’s made money at on the tour!

2. He should be riding “Fletch.” He’s had the horse since he was a 4-year-old and he’s been a rock star the entire time. Fletch has been everywhere from the smallest high school rodeo to the NFR and couldn’t care less about the excitement of this rodeo game — including the midway that is just behind the roping box at Armstrong. Plus, he’s been resting up…

3. He’s a four-time Canadian Finals Rodeo qualifier, gunning for his fifth. He needs a little more money in the standings to guarantee it so you know he’ll be ready to blast one in Armstrong.

4. The tall lanky dude can get down the line in two strides.

5. How could I not vote for my baby-bro? #Sorry

Gabi’s Pick: Cory Solomon

1. Nearly $1 million in career earnings.

He’s proven himself time and time again to consistently be in the money at big shows and at smaller rodeos alike. He’s a campaigner — an old hat. The pressure won’t affect this guy as it would a younger, less experienced roper. *wink wink*

2. Five WNFR Qualifications: What did the five qualifications say to the Canadian? Slap!

via GIPHY

No, for reals…Cory has made into the top 15 in the WORLD on five separate occasions.

3. Smoking 6.6 run at the 2018 Days of ’47 Rodeo.

That’s a SUPER quick run for a tie-down roper – only 0.1 seconds off of Cody Ohl’s WNFR record run of 6.5 seconds. Even The Flash can’t touch this guy.

4. Currenty fifth in the PRCA Standings with $83,052.90 earned in 2018.

He’s sitting pretty coming into the last leg of the season, but competition is stiff, so you know he’s going to want to solidify his place!

5. Fastest hands in rodeo.

I mean…did you see the video we posted on FloRodeo? ?

 

Bareback Riding

Katy’s Pick: Jake Vold

He’s up in the last perf, so Vold is going to get to see what score he needs to beat before he ever nods his head–not that he ever tries to be less than 100 points—but this true competitor can handle the pressure of knowing what he’s gotta be, and has three WNFR qualifications and three back-to-back Canadian bareback titles to prove it. 

Gabi’s Pick: Richmond Champion 

Champion has been spurring necks and cashing checks all summer. While the start to his season has been a little slow in the US, he’s been killing in up north of the border and is currently sitting in first place in the CPRA. He and Jake are traveling partners, so you know he wants to beat him that much more.

Plus, you know he made the highest marked ride of the entire Finning Pro Tour season, right?

Steer Wrestling

Katy’s Pick: Scott Guenthner

Guenthner is quiet and hates interviews, but you wouldn’t know if from the way he likes to win rodeos this season. He’s won two out of the eight rodeos on the tour so far — including taking home over $16,000 at the Ponoka Stampede. You brag because your man is No. 4 in the world, but mine is No. 2 and happens to be the highest-ranking Canadian across all events.

Plus, check out this rank score he pulled of when his horse didn’t want to wait at the Ponoka Stampede:

Gabi’s Pick: Bridger Chambers

Currently No. 4 in the world standings, Chambers is also having a hot streak in Canada. He won the Hand Hills Lake Stampede, the Williams Lake Stampede and was co-champion at the High Prairie Elks Rodeo. At 6-foot-5 and 240 lbs, he’s big enough, fast enough and experienced enough to wrestle whatever steers wait for him in Canada. Scott’s a hand…but Bridger is ready!

Saddle Bronc

Katy’s Pick: Zeke Thurston

Can you say “world champion,” Gabi? How could I not choose the 2016 saddle bronc riding champion of the world and three-time Calgary Stampede champion? Thurston's also No. 1 in the Finning Pro Tour, second in the Canadian Standings and fourth in the world with just over $100,000 on the board. Plus he just had his first baby and no one rides better than a new dad that just realized babies go through a dozen diapers a day. 

Gabi’s Pick: Isaac Diaz

Zeke has been doing well, no doubt. He’s young, he’s hungry…and he’s also a new dad, so you know he’s been having some sleepless nights. Diaz, on the other hand, has been cracking out all season, spurring the hide off of everything he gets on. He’s sitting fifth in the world right behind Zeke with less than $1,000 between them — you know he’s going to want this win bad!

Team Roping

Katy’s Pick: Denver Johnson/Tristin Woolsey

No. 1 in the tour, No. 1 in Canada – Johnson and Woolsey have been straight-up running away with the team roping season this year. The rest of the pack has only recently started to catch up to them, but I don’t think they’ll let that happen for long. Both of them have a little bit of a renegade style when it comes to their roping. It’s almost like Johnson doesn’t know how to take more than a couple swings, and Woolsey can pull off any heel shot, whether he’s really in position or not.

But that beard though…

Gabi’s Pick: Cory Petska/Derrick Begay

The dynamic duo of Petska/Begay is one of the most seasoned partnerships in the sport of team roping with each man as a legend in their own right. Derrick has qualified for the WNFR seven separate times and Cory has done so on 14 different occasions. The numbers don’t lie, Katy. Need I say more? 

Barrels

Katy’s Pick: Carman Pozzobon

I’ll give you one thing: Kinsel is a tough competitor, but Pozzobon has the home province on her side and has been repping them well everywhere she goes. Not only is Pozzobon No. 1 in Canada and leading by more than $15,000, but she’s also No. 9 in the world and has a chance to make her first WNFR. 

The cool thing? She’s barely been to the U.S. to compete since the winter run and has earned enough North of the border to keep her in contention for her first national finals.

Gabi’s Pick: Hailey Kinsel

Kinsel has been on fire since her qualification and star-studded performance at last year’s WNFR. She’s sharp, she’s athletic, she’s super hungry, and the girl is winning! I honestly don’t think that Carman stands a chance.

Bull Riding

Katy’s Pick: Jared Parsonage

A clean set of x-rays means Parsonage is back and you can bet he’s wanting to regain his spot at the top of the Canadian standings. He might have the bull to set him on that path too. I talked with Parsonage about OLS Tubs Buckington from Outlaw Buckers and it sounds like he’s rider-friendly but will help you to a quite a few points. He’s going to come out and spin to the right, kick over his head and hits hard when his feet come down.

Gabi’s Pick: Jordan Spears

Jordan Spears is one of the best-known names in bull riding. He’s on a hot streak this year and has won five different rodeos including being the co-champion at the Sisters Xtreme Bulls. He’s sure to put on a show!