Cowboy Christmas. July 1. The 4th. These are all monikers for one of the most popular pro rodeo runs on either side of the 49th parallel.

The second stop on Pro Rodeo Canada's SMS Equipment Pro Tour is set for June 24-26 at the Wainwright Stampede in east central Alberta.

To say it’s a “wide open” field when it comes to the competition at this year’s Canadian Finals Rodeo would be an understatement. With only three returning event champions from 2019, just fourteen current and former Canadian title holders on the roster and less than half of the CFR46 competitors back this year—predicting potential champions in 2021 could be a dart throw.

“A Canadian title to me, would mean the world really,” Zeke Thurston said. “That’s one thing I haven’t quite slashed off the bucket list. I’m after it, for sure.”

A name we’ve grown used to seeing next to the "W" is back to compete at the 2018 Calgary Stampede this year, which kicks off today. Saddle bronc rider Zeke Thurston will be making another trip back to Calgary for a chance to make a record-breaking fourth consecutive title at the $2 million rodeo.