After the completion of every rodeo season, some competitors are left thinking: If only I hadn't broken the barrier here, or what if I didn't get bucked off there? On the other hand, some may be thinking about how thankful they were for a good draw at the right time, or "I can't believe I made that heel shot."

This is a sport of infinite variables — from the livestock to the conditions, to just plain old good or bad luck — and to those who were able to hang on for the ride of those variables, congratulations are in order. The top 12 and can now breath a sigh of relief and look forward to competing at the Canadian Finals Rodeo in its new home in Red Deer, Alberta, at the end of October. 

Watch the Canadian Finals Rodeo LIVE on FloRodeo October 30 to November 4.

Many of the big moves happened on Thursday and Friday at the CPRA's Grass Roots Final in Calgary, Alberta. A maximum payday of $5,000 — a large number for this time of year — kept the cowboys and cowgirl in full-throttle mode all weekend, and it showed on the scoreboard. 

Round One: 2018 Grass Roots Final

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Round Two: 2018 Grass Roots Final

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It was a nail-biter right until the finish, with swaps happening right up until the conclusion of the final performance in Hanna on Sunday. While we will wait for the official word from the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association, we couldn't help but add the results from the Grass Roots Final and Hanna Pro Rodeo to the Canadian Standings to figure out who UNOFFICIALLY made the cut for the 2018 CFR.

Bareback: Stemo Slides Into 12th And Final Spot

Jacob Stemo was on a mission this weekend. A mission that included a $3,750 paycheck at the Grass Roots Final and a $244.40 kicker at Hanna that rocketed the bareback rider into the No. 12 spot in the standings to unofficially qualify for his first Canadian Finals Rodeo since his novice days.

Steer Wrestling: The Frank Brothers Are In

The steer wrestling was one of the most exciting — and nerve-wracking — events going into this final weekend of competition in the CPRA. Seven steer wrestlers had a chance to move up, and it was two brothers that were able to get the job done.

It was exciting to watch both Dallas and Derek Frank qualify for the CFR side by side. The pair was No. 15 and 16 respectively before the weekend, and when all the was said and done, they will unofficially head into the No. 10 and 12 spots.

Curtis Cassidy — who was also on the bubble before the weekend — used the big paychecks at Grass Roots to improve his CFR seat from No. 12 all the way up to No. 6.

Saddle Bronc: Berg Rides His Way To CFR45

Before the Grass Roots Final, saddle bronc rider Justin Berg was on the outside looking in. Two round checks and an average win later and Berg had punched his ticket to CFR45 in Red Deer. 

Berg made two solid rides in Calgary and scored 162 points on two head to win the event and a total of $3,750 — which was enough to move him into the No. 11 spot in Canada. 

Team Roping Headers: Popescul & Buss Make The Cut

Jesse Popescul headed into the weekend just out of the finals with only a $50 deficit to surpass the No. 12 header in the Canadian Standings, but he wasn't going to stop at just $50. Popescul and partner Wyatt Eirikson placed second in round one, third in round two, and second in the average to earn $3,437.50 and shoot Popescul into the No. 9 spot in Canada.

Popescul has also qualified in the tie-down roping and will have a great opportunity to earn his first Canadian high-point title with two events to earn money with at the finals.

Buss was actually the 11th man in the Grass Roots Standings but was able to move up because fellow header Grady Quam was south for a college rodeo, and he made the most of his opportunity. He and partner Riley Wilson earned $2,500 between their second-round win and average placing to slide up into the finals.

Team Roping Heelers: Wilson Moves In, Buhler Battles Right Until The End

Riley Wilson did some winning this weekend to move from the No. 17 spot to No. 11 in the standings unofficially. Wilson was able to rope with his partner Brett Buss when he moved up the standings, and the pair made things happen to both move up enough spots to qualify.

One competitor that literally battled until the final day of the season was reigning Canadian champion Jeremy Buhler. Buhler and partner Levi Simpson made some good runs, but ultimately failed to collect a check at the Grass Roots Final, so it literally came down to the results after the final performance of the season at Hanna.

Buhler and Simpson won the second place check worth $823.44 each — moving Buhler all the way from No. 13 to No. 10.

Tie-Down Roping: Warren Will Be No. 1 At CFR

The top 12 list remained the same after the final weekend of competition, but it didn't mean it wasn't an exciting race to watch. The race was going on at the top end of the standings between Riley Warren and Kyle Lucas.

Warren was leading the standings going into the weekend but after both he and Lucas had a strong Grass Roots Final, Lucas was able to edge Warren out of his spot at the top. Lucas wouldn't enjoy that position for long though. 

Warren showed his ability to be cool under pressure when he made a 7.8 second run at Hanna, earned $1363 and regained his spot at No. 1. Trevor Brazile remains the season leader with over $30,000 earned this year, but did not compete at enough rodeos to qualify for CFR so Warren will be the top man there.

Barrel Racing: Ladies Hold Steady, Ganter Adds To CFR Bucks

Renee Leclercq can breathe easy now that she's made it through the weekend and unofficially qualified in the No. 12 spot for CFR. In fact, all of the ladies were able to hold their spots in the standings after the weekend. 

The Grass Roots Final did pose an opportunity to gain more dollars to put towards a Canadian title though, and Angela Ganter took full advantage of the opportunity. The Texas cowgirl dominated at the final by winning both rounds, the average, and the maximum $5,000 paycheck. 

Bull Riding: Nash Moves In At Grass Roots, Tetz At Hanna

The race at the bottom of the Canadian Standings was insane to watch this weekend — first Nick Tetz was in, then he was out, then battled his way back by splitting the win at Hanna. Austin Nash, who had just recently lost his spot in the top 12, jumped out and won the first round of the Grass Roots Final and second in the average to regain his CFR qualification. 

Both of these competitors — along with their fellow bull riders — kept us on the edge of our seats all weekend long.

Jared Parsonage was also able to use the weekend to check something off his bucket-list - winning a season leader title. Parsonage won from the Grass Roots Final and Hanna to surpass both Jordan Hansen and Zane Lambert in the standings and earn the coveted title.