We can’t wait for the 2018 Canadian Finals Rodeo when all the best professional athletes that competed on Canadian soil this year will go head-to-head for six rounds. As CFR45 draws near, we’re going to be counting down the best athletes in each event this rodeo season, starting with the No. 1 man in the CPRA bareback riding standings, Richmond Champion.

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

Canadian Standings:

1st - $41,133.98

World Standings:

6th - $119,818.86

Big Wins In 2018:

Ponoka Stampede

Williams Lake Stampede

Ellensburg Rodeo

Black Hills Roundup (Belle Fourche, S.D.) 

Top Scores In 2018:

91.25 Points - Ponoka Stampede Showdown Round

91 Points – Black Hills Roundup

90 Points – Washington State Fair (Puyallup)

Analysis:

Richmond Champion has been a dominating force ever since he stepped onto the scene and claimed a million dollars at The American in 2014, but this year feels a little different. The Texas cowboy has been on fire, laying down some impressive rides this season; according to the PRCA rider stats, has ridden 97.33 percent of his horses this year – his highest rating yet.

He has certainly set himself up with a strong chance for a Canadian title this year with $41,133.98 in earnings, which is nearly $7,000 ahead of the No. 2 man, Ky Marshall. 

He’s also been known to thank his Olympic-athlete fiancé Paige Lawrence for showing him how other top athletes train, proving the point that the new-school cowboy needs more than grit and gumption to get the job done. 

So all that going for him makes us wonder. Could this be Richmond Champions year?