Full press release
Sales of goods to directly support Canadian Pro Rodeo Breakaway Roping and a new scholarship for ladies in western sport
CALGARY, Alberta – Former Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall (Cypress Hills, Saskatchewan) has teamed up with the podcast and clothing company Cowboy Sh!t of Calgary, Alberta to launch a new line of clothing supporting the breakaway ropers of amateur and professional rodeo in Canada and abroad.
Starting February 29th, 2024, western sports enthusiasts, contestants and supporters will be able to purchase the new ADD BREAKAWAY caps, stickers and tee shirts that will support the addition of breakaway roping to all of the major rodeos in North America not already hosting the event.
“Through breakaway roping, rodeo can greatly improve its engagement with and offer opportunities for women,” Wall said. “There are young women in our part of the world as handy as any, who are enthusiastic about rodeo, and without breakaway, might not rodeo at all. Through my business I am proud to partner with Ted and Storm to support efforts to promote breakaway to every level of rodeo and to expand rodeo opportunities for these young women.”
Cowboy Sh!t was created in part by western sports media personality Ted Stovin who is also the founder of Everything Cowboy Inc.
“What most people don’t actually know is that my fiancé, Storm Dafoe, was the one that decided we should start the clothing brand. We’re a team and I think more people should know she’s the one really moving this brand forward,” Stovin said. “Anything I can do to promote ladies and their recognition in our sport, I’m all for it. When Mr. Wall asked me about this idea, I was all in. While the tradition and heritage of rodeo is important, so is evolution and growth. It’s time to ADD BREAKAWAY.”
Stovin contacted three-time Canadian Finals Rodeo (CFR) breakaway roping qualifier and current Canadian Pro Rodeo Association (CPRA) breakaway roping director Lakota Bird (Nanton, Alberta) about this initiative. Bird, through her efforts with the breakaway ropers in Canada and her family, have been some of the major supporters thus far in the breakaway movement in Canada.
“Breakaway roping has quickly emerged in the world of professional rodeo in Canada and the United States,” Bird said. “While breakaway roping is now featured at the majority of the biggest rodeos in Canada including the CFR, many rodeos south of the border are stepping away from the event. Breakaway is not featured in the performances at the NFR and many rodeos have either never had the event or are dropping it in 2024. It is my hope that the ADD BREAKAWAY movement will encourage more rodeos to have breakaway roping by showing how many fans support the event. This initiative will also help close some of the financial shortfalls the breakaway group faces at Finale events.”
Breakaway roping in the CPRA started in 2019 and the contestants themselves have self-funded and raised their own prize money for select events.
“The breakaway event has grown immensely in both numbers and popularity over the last few years,” CPRA General Manager Denny Phipps added. “The CPRA is proud to be on the forefront of this growth. In 2023, there were 44 CPRA events that included BAW, roughly 90%, and we hope to see that support at the committee level continue to grow. In 2022 the CPRA brought a full complement of ladies to the CFR for three performances. With a new agreement for CFR 50, we are implementing them into all five performances and expanding support as the event grows. We are looking forward to announcing our plans further for CFR 50 at our AGM March 9th.”
The initial launch, designed by Storm Dafoe, consists of two t-shirts, two cap styles and two stickers. Customers can find these items at www.CowboyShit.ca and local retailers supporting the cause.
Not only will the sales of the items support the CPRA Breakaway Ropers organization itself but a new scholarship, at the request of Mr. Wall, will be brought into fruition. Details on the scholarship will follow in a subsequent press release.
About Canadian Pro Rodeo Breakaway Ropers
The Canadian Pro Rodeo Breakaway Ropers was founded in 2021 by Lakota Bird and many of her fellow competitors with the intention of gaining rodeos to compete at for breakaway ropers at the professional level in Canada. Breakaway roping is now in the performance at the Canadian Finals Rodeo (CFR), Strathmore Stampede, Armstrong IPE and many other top events across the country. For more information, sponsor packages and more, visit CPRA Breakaway Roping on Facebook or by contacting Bird directly by email at lakotabird@yahoo.ca
About Brad Wall
Serving as the 14th Premier of Saskatchewan from November 21, 2007, until February 2, 2018, Brad Wall is the fourth longest-tenured premier in the province’s history. He is the owner of Flying W Consulting Inc. and a Partner of CW Cattle Co. Ltd. Wall and his wife Tami ranch in Cypress Hills, Saskatchewan. You can follow Brad Wall on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.
About CPRA
The Canadian Professional Rodeo Association (CPRA) with headquarters in Airdrie, Alberta is the official sanctioning body for Professional Rodeo in Canada. The CPRA approves 55 events annually with a total payout exceeding $5.7 million. The organization oversees the SMS Equipment Pro Tour Finals each fall in Armstrong, BC, holds their premiere event – the Canadian Finals Rodeo (CFR) – at Rogers Place in Edmonton, AB in early October and endorses the Maple Leaf Circuit Finals as part of Canadian Western Agribition in Regina, SK in November. Follow the CPRA on Facebook and Instagram @prorodeocanadaofficial, on Twitter @prorodeocanada or online at RodeoCanada.com
About Cowboy Sh!t
Started in 2017 by hosts and western lifestyle personalities Ted Stovin and Dustin Edwards, Cowboy Sh!t the podcast engages in-depth conversation, analysis and interviews with the most influential and interesting characters inside or adjacent to western sport. Cowboy Sh!t clothing, caps and more can now be found in western stores all across North America. Cowboy Sh!t is a division of Everything Cowboy Inc. founded December 2010. For previous episodes and the full offering of hats, tees, hoodies and more, visit CowboyShit.ca
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