Steer rider competes at CFR

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Just days after receiving a trophy from the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association for being the best of the best in junior steer riding, 11-year-old Ryan McDonald was riding with the best at the Canadian Finals Rodeo in Edmonton.

McDonald, a Grade 7 student at the Caslan School on the Buffalo Lake Metis Settlement, 200 km north of Edmonton, was Alberta's top rider in the junior steer riding category at the big show which began on Nov. 11.

McDonald finished in top spot this year in the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association's ranking. The placement is based on cash winnings throughout this year's pro rodeo circuit.

Dale McDonald, Ryan's dad and a former bull rider, said his son grabbed quite a bit of cash this year. . . eight seconds at a time.

In total, Ryan took home $4,119 in winnings this season in the CPRA. He won more than $1,200 on the amateur circuit .

For his hard work, the youngster was presented with a trophy by the CPRA in Red Deer on Nov. 9.

Ryan doesn't seem to think about the money or the glory. He likes the rodeo for the eight second rush and the fun of competition. He wants to keep his spurs in the rodeo world for a while yet.

He has his sights set on the saddle bronc once he finishes with the steers, although he admits he would have to practice.

"I've never been on a real saddle bronc horse before," he said.

Before he gets onto a real buckin' bronco, however, he's been doing some training on a reasonable facsimile.

"I've been riding my uncle Dean's mechanical bull," said the youngster.

This will be Ryan's first appearance at the Canadian Finals Rodeo, but it's not his first showing at big rodeos.

He's been steer riding for two years and rode at the Ponoka Stampede and the Calgary Stampede, just to name a few. Ryan's mom, Karen, is proud of her little cowboy.

"It's something he's worked hard at all season long," she said. "I'm really glad he's made it. I'm really proud of him."

The junior steer riding competition is open to cowboys between 10 and 14 years of age, which puts the Buffalo Lake rider at the low end of the age range. He's also at the low end of the size range.

He's not too big," said his mom. "He's 83 pounds - soaking wet."

When asked if he was scared about his national competition, he didn't hesitate with his one word answer: "No."

"Most of them are pretty good, but I think I have a good chance to win the CFR," said Ryan.

OK, so the kid's not scared of competition. So how about his four-legged rides? Does he get scared about riding a big beast that doesn't want to carry any hitchhikers?

"No."

The plucky Ryan said he doesn't think about steer riding as dangerous.

"I do it because it's fun."

His secret to staying on is technique and trust in his family.

"I pull my rope real tight, so I can stay in there real tight," he said, adding that his dad is in the chutes with him, making sure all the ropes are tied tight.

The family, and a big chunk of the Buffalo Lake community, travels with Ryan on the circuit.

The Buffalo Lake Metis Settlement has helped to sponsor their newest and youngest role model, and the family is continuing to find other sponsors to help pay for travel and accommodation costs for the CFR.

The practice seems to be paying off. He has gone from an up-start rider just a year ago to a national champion.

"Last year when we took him around he used to fall off and fall off, but he always got back up and go better," said Ryan's mom.

Although his days are spent dreaming of rodeo fame, he is also a good student in school.

Ryan's favorite class is Cree.

"I like it because you get to do beading projects and crafts and other fun stuff," he said.