2024 Featured Riders
Meet Our Rodeo Athletes
Introducing the Cloverdale Rodeo Riders of 2024! These incredible athletes have been invited from near and far to compete in the annual rodeo, and we couldn’t be more excited to watch how they perform.
Re-Live the Action at the 2024 Cloverdale Rodeo!
The 2024 Cloverdale Rodeo was one for the ages and now you can catch the action from all five rodeo performances even if you weren’t able to attend this year’s event. over 22,000 fans joined in on the fun and excitement as 96 professional rodeo riders brought their best in the Stetson Bowl.
Re-live the excitement and energy of the events from May 17-20, 2024.
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Barrel Racers
Jackie Ganter
Notable Accomplishments
- 2X NFR Qualifier
- 3X CFR Qualifier
- 2015 Resistol Rookie of the Year
Rider Bio
My name is Jackie Ganter. I live in Abilene, Texas. My mom and dad owned and operated bars and restaurants in College Station for 20 years. My dad passed away when I was 8 years old and we moved to Abilene to be near my grandparents. My mom, who is also competing at Cloverdale, and I own and operate a horse swimming and boarding facility in Abilene. I started out riding English but made the switch to barrel racing when I was about 12 years old and have been doing it ever since. I have been fortunate enough to make the NFR twice and the CFR three times. Cloverdale is a favourite rodeo stop for both my mom and me each year and we’re excited to be welcomed back.
What inspired you to become a Barrel Racer?
I rode English first, but my mom ran barrels my entire life. So when I decided to make the switch, it was because I wanted to do what my mom does.
What does being selected to compete at the Cloverdale Rodeo mean to you?
Cloverdale is a fun and unique rodeo that I look forward to every time I’m invited. There are not many contestants, so I am very honoured to be among the ones chosen to compete.
From your viewpoint, how has Rodeo Culture changed since you started riding?
Rodeo and the Western way of life as a whole are being heavily followed right now, and they are becoming more mainstream. Cowboy Channel has been a tremendous help in that, and I’m excited to see our sport keep growing.
What Rodeo Culture traditions are stronger than ever?
The great thing about rodeos is that they like to kick them off with the national anthem and a prayer. There’s nothing better than going to a sold-out rodeo and getting to experience those few minutes of the opening every time.
Lynette Brodoway
Notable Accomplishments
- 2023 Ladies Barrel Racing Canadian Champion
- 2023 Ladies Barrel Racing Season Leader
- 2023 Awarded Canadian Finals Rodeo #1 back number
- 2023 “Horse with the Most Heart” award, SR Boots on Fire
- 2022 CPRA “Cowgirl of the Year” award
- 6x Canadian Finals Rodeo Qualifier
- 2x Calgary Stampede Qualifier
- Calgary Stampede Go Round Winner
Rider Bio
Lynette Brodoway is a well-respected professional barrel racer, horse trainer and Canadian Champion. She has dedicated her life to continually furthering her horsemanship skills and mentoring others to do the same. Although her primary focus is barrel racing, she is an active pro rodeo contestant. Lynette has remained dedicated to broadening her skills by seeking experience and knowledge in various disciplines. She believes that as horsemen, we must “never stop learning.” Her willingness has allowed her to honour the horse’s truest style and turning technique. This has proven to be a winning formula for her and the horses she trains.
What inspired you to become a Barrel Racer?
The event itself lured me in. The fast horses and good horsemanship was appealing to me.
What does being selected to compete at the Cloverdale Rodeo mean to you?
Cloverdale has always been one of my favorite rodeos in BC. I feel extremely privileged to be participating in barrel racing once again in 2024!
From your viewpoint, how has Rodeo Culture changed since you started riding?
I have been rodeoing for a very long time and have seen many changes in our sport. All for the better in my opinion. More money, great setups, excellent competitors and very dedicated fans!!
What Rodeo Culture traditions are stronger than ever?
The cowboys’ and cowgirls’ commitment to do their very best and the committee’s commitment to provide a great event!
Bull Riders
Dakota Buttar
Notable Accomplishments
- 2x NFR qualifier
- 4x PBR worlds finals qualifier
- 4 x PBR Global cup qualifier
- 4x Canadian Bull Riding Titles
- 1x Calgary Stampede title
Rider Bio
I grew up just outside of Kindersley, SK. My dad rode bulls when he was younger, and I have an older sister who barrel races. That’s how I got started and involved in rodeo. I got on my first steer at 8 years old at a rodeo my sister was competing in. Fast-forward 23 years, and bull riding has taken me all over the world.
What inspired you to become a Bull Rider?
Growing up around the sport and my love for bucking bulls.
What does being selected to compete at the Cloverdale Rodeo mean to you?
It means a lot to me to be selected to compete in the Cloverdale rodeo, it’s one of the best rodeos in Canada and is one of my bucket list rodeo titles I would like to have under my belt.
From your viewpoint, how has Rodeo Culture changed since you started riding?
Rodeo culture has definitely changed since I started riding. I would have to say it has changed to be a lot more business-focused. It has evolved and grown to the point where we can make a living at it.
What Rodeo Culture traditions are stronger than ever?
The traditions that are stronger are that our rodeo families away from home are bigger and as strong as ever.
Edgar Durazo
Career Accomplishments
- 2x CFR Bull Riding Champion (2019, 2023)
- 2x CPRA Bull Riding Season Leader
- 2019 CPRA Rookie of the Year
Rider Bio
My name is Edgar Durazo I’m 32 years old, and I was born and raised in Moctezuma, Sonora, Mexico. I grew up ranching two hours south of Douglas, Arizona, in a vaquero region where the main industry is beef cattle raising. My wife, Karla, and I have been living in Alberta, Canada, for the last 10 years. Our oldest son is Edgar, who is 3 years old, Sophia is 1.5 years old; and Amanda is 1 month old. I have been riding bulls for 15 years. As a teenager, I was a team roper and fought bulls before I started riding bulls at 15 years old. From there, it was a whirlwind. I won my circuit in Mexico, making the finals in jr. bull riding, and I took home the championship. I then moved to the U.S. and competed on the college rodeo team at SWTJC in Uvalde, Texas. Following my college career, I started riding professionally and shortly after moving to Canada, where I joined the PBR bull riding tour. Then, in 2019, I started rodeoing and won the CPRA Pro Rodeo Tour – I was the bull riding season leader and rookie of the year. I went 6 for 6 at the CFR to win my first Canadian championship. Since then, I am honoured to have achieved many goals and am proud to be the reigning Canadian Bull Riding Champion.
What inspired you to become a Bull Rider?
My inspiration was my Dad, while he was in the university of Sonora, a group of students from the agriculture start the first ever rodeo association in Mexico where He rode bulls.
What does being selected to compete at the Cloverdale Rodeo mean to you?
The history behind Rodeo Cloverdale makes it unique. It’s such an honor to be invited to ride in this prestigious event.
From your viewpoint, how has Rodeo Culture changed since you started riding?
Rodeo has evolved greatly over the years. It was definitely wilder the way we took it 10 years ago and back. Now, it has reached the point where you prepare yourself just like an athlete from any other sport. With the big support of sports medicine and sports trainers, it has definitely progressed in such a big way. There’s no better time to be a rodeo cowboy.
What Rodeo Culture traditions are stronger than ever?
The Western way of life is stronger than ever because of its values and the importance of what we represent.
Jacob Gardner
Career Accomplishments
- 3x Canadian all-around Canadian champion
- 3x Canadian Global Cup team member
- 4x CFR qualifier
- 4x PBR Canada qualifier
- Calgary stampede qualifier
Rider Bio
My name is Jacob Gardner. I was born and raised in Fort St. John and currently live in Diamond Valley, Alberta, southwest of Calgary. I have been fortunate to make rodeo my career. I started going to rodeos as a young kid and progressed from riding sheep to steers and eventually to bucking bulls. I also do other events such as steer wrestling and calf roping. My main focus and goal right now is to make the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas. When I’m not in the ring, I enjoy fishing, hunting, and riding horses.
What inspired you to become a Bull Rider?
The adrenaline rush from bull riding is the best feeling and being able to travel around the world and get paid to ride bucking bulls.
What does being selected to compete at the Cloverdale Rodeo mean to you?
Getting to compete at Cloverdale means a lot because I’m from British Columbia and I love the rodeo fans we have in Southern BC it’s a great atmosphere to ride in.
From your viewpoint, how has Rodeo Culture changed since you started riding?
With technology, it seems rodeo has developed more, giving access for people to watch and keep up with the good sport and I think it’s a growing sport.
What Rodeo Culture traditions are stronger than ever?
The rodeo community is like a big family, and everyone is there for each other.
Saddle Bronc Riders
Kolby Wanchuk
Notable Accomplishments
- 2x NFR Qualifier
- 4x CFR Qualifier
- 2016 Novice Bronc Riding Canadian Champion
- Arena Record Holder: Calgary Stampede
Rider Bio
Kolby literally grew up in the Cloverdale Rodeo ring and rodeo is all about family for him. His father, Ricky Ticky, is a professional rodeo clown and Kolby followed in his footsteps until he turned his attention to Bronc Riding. Kolby’s mother competed as a barrel racer and his brother competes in team roping and tie-down roping. Outside of the ring, Kolby is an avid hunter, fisher, and skier.
What inspired you to become a Saddle Bronc Rider?
Bronc Riding has always been my favourite event. There wasn’t anything that looked cooler to me than a smooth ride on a big strong bucking horse.
What does being selected to compete at the Cloverdale Rodeo mean to you?
I was lucky enough to grow up in that arena [clowning with my dad Ricky Ticky], and I dreamed about competing there one day. So it is truly a dream come true.
From your viewpoint, how has Rodeo Culture changed since you started riding?
The rodeo stage has certainly grown, rodeos keep getting bigger, and coverage of them is consistently expanding.
What Rodeo Culture traditions are stronger than ever?
The culture remains very much the same: good people who love good friends, tough competition, and great horses.
Bareback Riders
Caleb Bennett
Notable Accomplishments
- 10x NFR qualifier
- 3x Cloverdale Champion
- Calgary Stampede Champion
- Ponoka Stampede Champion
- Canadian Finals Average Champion
- San Antonio Champion
Rider Bio
I was born and raised in Utah, but now I call Corvallis, Montana, home. I am married to the most amazing woman, Savannah Bennett, who competes professionally as a barrel racer. I participated in about every sport growing up until I found the one thing I couldn’t live without; rodeo and riding bucking horses. Although rodeo has been my focus, I am also a remote Personal Trainer and certified Nutrition Coach, entering my eighth year as the PRCA Bareback Riding Director.
What inspired you to become a Bareback Rider?
I grew up very involved in the sport of rodeo. I competed in multiple events throughout Junior rodeo, High School rodeo, and College. I was a freshman (9th grade) in High School when I started getting the hang of riding bareback horses. By the time I was a sophomore (10th grade), I had won my first High School State Title. From that moment on, I knew I wanted to make bareback riding a career. Plus, I loved working for myself and doing what I wanted when I wanted.
What does being selected to compete at the Cloverdale Rodeo mean to you?
Cloverdale has been one of, if not my favourite, rodeo since I received my first invite in 2010. The bucking stock is always outstanding, the crowd and the energy around the Cloverdale Arena makes my hair stand on the back of my neck. So, being selected to come to Cloverdale is a truly amazing accomplishment. They only take a few rodeo athletes, and Cloverdale aims to invite the best! When you get the call to come to Cloverdale, you know you’ve done something right, and it’s truly an honour to be a part of such an amazing event!
From your viewpoint, how has Rodeo Culture changed since you started riding?
The biggest thing that stands out to me as far as change goes, would be the athletes themselves. When I first started competing, you rarely saw a rodeo contestant paying attention to his nutrition, working out, warming up before he/she competes, etc. Nowadays, more and more guys and gals are in the gym, eating clean and healthy, stretching, warming up before competition, and digging deeper into making themselves feel the best they can do daily. I’ve always worded it like this: 10 years ago, we were rodeo contestants. Now we are Rodeo Athletes!
What Rodeo Culture traditions are stronger than ever?
I do feel that patriotism, comradery, and the Western way of lifestyle have become more noticed in recent times. I don’t know if they have necessarily become stronger because these have always been strong values in our sport, but they have become more recognized over the past few years. These few things are just some of the many things about the rodeo world that I love so much. We’re one big family, brother and sisterhood, and we respect others; we respect our elders, our veterans, our countries, etc.
Tanner Aus
Notable Accomplishments
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8x NFR qualifier
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Calgary Stampede Champion (2019)
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RFDTV’s The American Champion (2016)
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Cheyenne Frontier Days Champion (2015)
Rider Bio
In my spare time, I like to work on my home and in my shop. I also love to hunt and fish, especially when I can bring my Rodeo buddies! What I love most is spending time with my wife and children, teaching my kids about rodeo and horses, and letting them experience life on the rodeo trail!
What inspired you to become a Bareback Rider?
I grew up watching my parent’s rodeo. My dad rode bareback horses until 1998. Of course, I wanted to be just like my dad!
What does being selected to compete at the Cloverdale Rodeo mean to you?
I always love getting my invitation to Cloverdale! It’s the perfect time of year. The horses are fresh, and the Cowboys are fresh. It’s the perfect combination for top-tier rodeo, action, and high scores.
From your viewpoint, how has Rodeo Culture changed since you started riding?
Rodeo athletes are doing more to take care of themselves and promote longevity, but otherwise, Rodeo culture has changed very little in the span of my career, and that’s why I love it. It’s a world filled with great people who believe in upholding tradition.
What Rodeo Culture traditions are stronger than ever?
One thing that is stronger than ever is The Cowboy Code! The people you compete against day in and day out are the first to lend a hand when you’re in need!
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