Ardmore’s Lane Cust Looking to Bring Home the CFR Title

Lane Cust headed into the Canadian Rodeo Finals with a #1 ranking. With two rides left before the championship ride on Saturday evening, the novice Saddle Bronc Rider is hoping to bring home the CFR title.

Speaking with Lane before his Friday night ride, he seemed calm and confident with the rides ahead of him, likely due to his success at the CFR so far. “I won the first round on Wednesday night and last night I ended up getting second.” Entering the CFR with the top ranking and winning over $10,000 in prize money throughout the season, things are looking good for Lane to be riding a high placement in Saturday’s finals.

“You come into the CFR with your season standings, your money keeps adding up through the rounds. Whoever has the most through the rounds wins,” explains Lane.

The 20 year old, from Ardmore, had a fairly successful season capturing the Novice titles at multiple rodeos including; Wildwood, Sundare, Ponoka, Airdrie,. The Calgary Stampede title win was a huge moments for Lane, as well as, winning at home at the Bonnyville Pro Rodeo.

With all the success Lane has seen the Saddle Bronc rider is contemplating moving up, “next year I may compete in the Open.” There are options for Lane, he explains he could remain semi-pro and ride in the amateurs and go to some pro rodeos, “I think the plan will be to ride in the Opens.”

The love of Saddle Broncing has always been in Lane, “I wanted to try riding out, so I went to school and got on a few. I liked it quite a bit and wanted to keep doing it. I went to high school rodeos and worked away. I took a year off in between there somewhere, but I wanted to get back on. I went to school, college for a year and that’s when I really started getting on once-a-week. Since then it’s been steady going in the rodeo.”

Lane says rodeo is, “a family thing.” He grew up on a smaller ranch and has always been connected to the rodeo; whether that was attending them as a young boy, watching his brother, who was also a Saddle Bronc rider, or competing himself.

We definitely live for rodeo- Lane Cust

Rexall Place is transformed into an indoor rodeo grounds for the five-day event, with attractions, such as Farm Fair, happening at adjoining Northlands Coliseum. Lane competes tonight, rodeo starts at 7:30 pm. There’s a matinee show at 1:00 pm on Saturday before the Novice Saddle Bronc finals Saturday evening, performances start at 7:30 pm.