They don’t hand out rodeo’s Canadian championships until after Sunday afternoon’s final round. But Jake Vold couldn’t wait. The Airdrie bareback rider clinched his title Saturday night with a score of 86-1/2 points on a horse called Mile Away.
“Wow. To finally have that buckle that says Canadian champion means the world to me. I can’t think of anything better,” said Vold, 27, who has only been a pro for five years.
“It’s finally accomplishing a major professional goal for me. I can’t believe it. It feels so good,” said Vold, who won a dozen rodeos this year, which is believed to be a record.
Vold won the Canadian title the right way — with a big score that was 3-1/2 points the best and an almost flawless ride on Kesler’s nine-year-old brown gelding.
“I had that horse twice before. I won a round at Cloverdale and I had him here a couple of years ago. But that time it didn’t go quite as good but that was all my fault.
“I knew I couldn’t make that mistake — trying to be 90 like I usually always did, and still do.”
Instead, Vold said he was more patient.
“Just slow down and keep a hold of him for an extra jump and then get after him,” said Vold, who did just that.
Headed to Las Vegas next month for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo after finishing in 11th place in the world standings, Vold said he couldn’t be more ready.
“This is just what I needed going into Vegas. This puts me on Cloud 9. I feel good. I feel confident and I can’t wait to go down there.”
Jake Vold was trying to add up the number of rodeos he won this year, but he kept losing count. No wonder. If you throw in the finals go-round wins at Ponoka and Strathmore, Vold won a staggering 12 Canadian rodeos as he heads into this week’s Canadian Finals Rodeo at Rexall Place.
“I was trying to add them up, but I couldn’t remember them all so I just gave up,” said the 27-year-old Ponoka bareback rider.
Congratulations Jake on a truly remarkable season! – Pipeworx Ltd.
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