The 2025 Canadian Ranch Roping Association (CRRA) finals wrapped up at the Golden Mile Arena on Sept. 13 to 14, with skilled competitors from across the Prairies showcasing horsemanship, stockmanship, and traditional roping techniques.

The Open champion team of Colton Thiessen, Adam Thiessen, and Steven Millar scored 83 points across three head of cattle to secure first place. The trio — all former Canadian champions — impressed judges with steady, high-scoring runs.

“They had a really good weekend,” said Ross Smith, past CRRA president and longtime competitor. “All three of them are very experienced competitors, and all three of them have been Canadian champions before. I believe this is the second time for each of them. They’re very handy fellas, and all three of them ride horses and work cattle for a living.”

Rounding out the Open division, second place went to Colton Thiessen, Lars Baron, and Mike Ramage with 68 points. Third place was claimed by Darcy Welsh, Adam Thiessen, and Milt Mastad at 65 points.

In the Novice division, rising duo Kipton Kyle and Rhett Schmidt earned the championship buckle with 66 points over three head. Schmidt also collected the “Most Improved Novice” award, recognizing steady growth over the season.

Alongside the competition standings, several honours recognized the values of sportsmanship and service that underpin ranch roping.

The Sportsmanship Award went to CRRA president Trevor Stender. Smith said Stender represents the kind of cowboy always ready to lend a hand.

“The Sportsmanship Award goes to someone … who is always willing to help out, never looking for anything in return, always encouraging everyone, and cheering for whoever wins,” he noted, adding that Stender fit the description perfectly.

The Lee Bellows Award, named for the late Moose Jaw brand inspector and volunteer, was presented to Sherri Stender.

“The amount of work that this lady does is mind boggling — it’s just endless,” Smith said. “Unfortunately she was injured two weeks before our finals so she wasn’t able to compete. Even though she was in a lot of pain, she came and did a bunch of work in the office … (and) still did all the work she always would have done … and she didn’t complain. She just came and did her job, and that’s the reason why we gave her the Lee Bellows Award — because that’s something Lee would have done.”

The CRRA’s most coveted honour, the Kevin Pole Memorial Top Hand Award, went to Steven Millar, who also stood on the Open championship team. The award recognizes not just roping skill, but also horsemanship, sportsmanship, and leadership.

“Steven was a student of Kevin’s,” Smith said. “He’s a phenomenal horseman, expert roper and stockman — exactly what the award represents. It was emotional for all of us to see him receive it.”

Other highlights from the weekend included the Best Horse Award, which went to Cougar, a 15-year-old mount owned by Chris Williamson and ridden in the Novice group by his son, Cord.

The Best Loop of the Weekend was earned by Steven Millar in the Open category and by Kipton Kyle in Novice. The Hi-Point Run of the Weekend was captured by the team of Milt Mastad, Lars Baron, and Darcy Driedger, who scored 36 points. Meanwhile, veteran cowboy Byron Templeton was recognized as the Oldest Roper at the finals, completing all his own groundwork.

Smith said the camaraderie within the CRRA remains as important as the competition itself.

“We’re like a family,” he said. “We like to win, but the main reason why we go to these competitions is for the camaraderie and the family atmosphere that we have. If we happen to win, that’s a bonus.”

To learn more about the Canadian Ranch Roping Association, visit “Canadian Ranch Roping Assoc. 2023” on Facebook or CanadianRanchRoping.ca.

Aaron Walker

Reporter

Moose Jaw Express