Randle just misses rodeo championship

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Whenever the name Kenton Randle is mentioned at any rodeo, contestants as well as spectators tend to sit up and take notice.

Randle, you see, is one of professional rodeo's top bareback bronc riders.

He proved that again this year at the 27th Canadian Finals Rodeo (CFR) at Edmonton's Skyreach Centre.

The Nov. 8 to 11 gathering of Canada's top 10 cowboys in each event drew thousands on every one of the five days (six performances) with a new single-day record set on Nov. 11 of 16,931.

The first category contested each day was the bareback bronc riding, featuring such Canadian greats as Roger Lacasse and Davey Shields, Jr. who have been $50,000 winners at the Calgary Stampede. (Shields Jr., from Hanna, was the ultimate CFR winner, and was reported to be winning big at the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas at press time.) Other worthy CFR competitors were Shawn Vant, who once qualified for the National Finals, and Robert Bowers who made no less than three trips to the NFR.

Randle, a Metis from Fort Vermilion, was the season leader in Canada in 1998. He was the Bud Pro Tour champion in 1997 and '99, and was appearing his fifth time at the CFR.

The first day, Randle kicked out an 82 aboard Little Buck. Placing second by a mere half-point was Shields, Jr.

The following day, Randle's winning ways continued as he spurred Rascal Flats for an 80.5 and tied for first and second with Bill Boyd, one of his rodeo travel partners and the number one money leader on this year's Canadian circuit.

However, Randle?s 80.5 on day three was not near enough to overcome four other scores ranging from 82 to Neil Dietz?s whopping 87.5 top score. That was on a Franklin Rodeo firecracker by the name of Pop A Top.

Pop A Top was the horse that ultimately robbed Randle of the championship.

Going into the Sunday afternoon finals, Randle was sitting in the lead with a 95-point total. Close behind him with 90s were Shields, Jr. and Boyd.

As the final go round began, Shields spurred Pop A Top to a huge 84.5. Boyd managed an 82 on Rock N Roll, and Randle, despite a superb ride, could only rake his mount, Harvey Northcott's Dark Alley, for an 83.5.

So it was that Shields, Jr. won the title with a total score of 130 points compared with Randle's 125. As all cowboys know, the deciding factor when it comes down to a fine line can often be in what they refer to as "the luck of the draw." Shields, Jr. happened to draw a horse that usually scores better than the mount Randle drew.

And, while that draw may have beaten Randle out of the championship, he was more than gracious about his loss.

"That was a good little horse that Dark Alley . . . as good as any one of them," he stated.

Still, with two wins, a second and a third, Randle walked off with more than $21,000, which he said will go towards "a few bills to catch up on from rodeoing all summer," and for a good Christmas.

Randle said he felt fortunate to even qualify for this year's CFR, given the pulled ligaments in his shoulder last fall. That was operated on in mid-December and he needed a good six months or so to recover.

When spring rolled around, he rode in three rodeos in British Columbia, but felt he required more healing time. He laid off for a few weeks before returning to the circuit.

With rodeo season fast drawing to a close, Randle had to overcome two Canadian champions in competition - Travis Whiteside and Darrel Cholach. In the end, he managed to persevere as he squeaked into ninth spot and qualify for the CFR.

There have been rumours circulating that Randle, now 40, may hang up his spurs.

When Sweetgrass put the question to him, he replied, "I have to go back home, sit down with Audrey, my wife, and talk it over." He hopes to make his decision over the winter.

One of most cowboys' difficulties falls in the area of finances. They need money for travel, accommodation, meals and entry fees.

Randle feels fortunate that he gets somenancial support from the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority. They provide him with a flat amount plus a bonus any time he qualifies for the CFR.

Would he do it all over again?

"Oh yeah," said Randle. "I'd have went harder when I was younger though."

And, what about his sons? Will any follow in his footsteps? The two older ones, he explains, are more into hockey. As for young Clinton, 11, "he's starting to ride steers."