The Canadian Finals Rodeo is not about what country you’re from — it’s about finding the best competitors that rodeo’d on Canadian soil, no matter where you get your mail.

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

The CFR has allowed up to five U.S. citizens in each event to qualify for the finals each year, giving it an international flair and allowing those are that the most talented to compete for this illustrious title. So being a CPRA cardholder doesn’t mean you have to be Canadian, but it does mean you love Canadian rodeo enough to many the many mile trek — sometimes driving three days or opting to fly — just to compete at the rodeos north of the border. 

The career cowboy goes where the money is, and Canadian rodeo has the money that has always drawn big American names. Names like Shane Hanchey, the Minors, and Richmond Champion not only compete during the season but have qualified for a chance at the $1.65 million offered at the finals — and of course the title of Canadian Champion to forever be stamped on your resume. 

This year, it looks like 18 Americans are unofficially in the CFR. Some have been there before, but there’s one “newbie” who is excited to be making his first trip to the pinnacle event of Canadian rodeo.

Texas steer wrestler Kody Dollery has had a strong CPRA season after coming to his first Canadian rodeo on a whim earlier this year. 

“Around the first of April right before the California run I called Curtis [Cassidy] to see if I could jump in the truck with him and ride Tyson then fly home after that,” Dollery said of the trip that started when he got picked up to do a run of rodeos in Texas. “We got to talking on the way out there and Curt asked if I was interested in coming to Canada at all, which I’ve always wanted to go up there and rodeo to see what it was like!

“It turned out I had my passport with me so I asked if I could just go up there with him… Then I just stayed hooked”

“Hooked” he was, the cowboy that’s smile seldom leaves his face (look, we have video evidence) start collecting Canadian cheques all season on his way to his first Canadian Finals Rodeo. The Caldwell, Texas, cowboy competed in a total of 36 rodeos on Canadian soil and will head to the CFR with $18,440.12 in earnings.

Dollery spent many days this summer between two “first families of steer wrestling” homes—the Cassidy’s and the Milan’s—and has them to thank for giving him a home away from home.

“This year has been amazing, to say the least. I couldn’t have asked for it to turn out much better,” said Dollery. “Between the Milans and the Cassidys I can’t thank them enough for giving me places to call home while I was rodeoing with them up there! I’ll definitely be coming back.”

We’ll announce the entire list soon, but for now, here’s a look at some of the top Americans that will don their big winter coats and head to Canada at the end of the month:

Richmond Champion – Dublin, Texas

How could we not give season leader Richmond Champion a shout out when talking about all the great American talent coming up to the CFR this year? Champion has been killing it in Canada all year and has earned $41,133.98 in the great white north. 

Check out some of his stats from the season HERE.

Shane Hanchey – Sulphur, Louisiana 

The two-time Canadian champion is back for another one! Hanchey—who won his titles in 2012 and 2015 and a world title in between—is the highest-placing American in the tie-down roping at this year’s CFR (once you remove the competitors that don’t qualify due to their rodeo count). 

The past champion has $20,923.34 in Canadian earnings so he should have a good start on his way to a possible third Canadian title.

Dusty Hausauer – Dickinson, North Dakota

This saddle bronc rider has always been a faithful patron of Canadian rodeo. Hausauer competed in a total of 34 CPRA rodeos this year and earned $20,859.37 on Canadian soil. 

This talent also won a Canadian saddle bronc title back in 2008.

Angela Ganter – Abilene, Texas

If you missed Angela Ganter at the 2018 Grass Roots Final, you missed her whooping the competition like it was a day off. Ganter won both rounds at the average at Grass Roots and increased her Canadian earnings to a total of $22,903.36. 

She’s a great barrel racer, the mother of WNFR qualifier Jackie Ganter, a breast cancer survivor and if her last performance on Canadian soil is any indication, she’s going to be one to watch at the CFR this year. 

Riley Minor/Brady Minor – Ellensburg, Washington

The highest-ranked American team roping team heading into the CFR this year is the brother duo of Riley and Brady Minor. Both of these competitors have over $1 million in PRCA career earnings and are heading to their 9th and 10th WNFR’s respectively in December.

The pair has CFR experience as well; just last year they competed in the finals for the first time and walked away with two round wins and the No. 4 spot in Canada.