Local bull rider named ‘Cowboy of the Year’

Times Reporter   

 

Making an impression riding a bull is tough enough, but to make an impression in the rodeo community that you are a real cowboy can be quite another. 

Strathmore resident and bull riding star Scott Schiffner has continued to prove to the rodeo community he is a tried and true cowboy, while remaining humble enough to graciously accept the recognitions bestowed upon him. 

On Nov. 10 Schiffner was once again recognized by the rodeo community for all that he does when he was presented with the Cowboy of the Year designation.

“It was a huge surprise, they put a lot of time and effort into making sure I didn’t know about it and secretly getting me out into the arena, I didn’t think it was for that. It was definitely a huge surprise but definitely the biggest honour of my rodeo career,” said Schiffner.

“It’s a great honour to receive that because it’s kind of big in our deal, it’s the highest honour you can receive as a cowboy. It’s voted on by your peers, it’s actually what people think of you not just what you’ve accomplished in the arena.”

“There’s ‘cowboys’ and then there’s cowboys, and he is one of those cowboys,” Judi Wilson secretary-treasurer with the Canadian Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame. 

Wilson said Schiffner is one of those few cowboys who have gained respect in all aspects of the cowboy world. He’s an all around nice guy who truly cares about the whole sport, and not just what it can give him. 

Wilson continued to say he is very dedicated, will make time for everybody; he has a great family behind him and is a fan favourite. 

“I was very fortunate I won the Guy Weadick award at the Calgary Stampede not this year but the year before and it’s a very similar award, so those two are very special to me,” said Schiffner. 

This past weekend Schiffner also won his second Canadian Title. 

“It was pretty close, it was between me and Ty Pozzobon and I actually won the last round on Sunday and Ty got bucked off and that was enough to move me ahead,” said Schiffner.

“It’s a pretty good feeling as I get older, it’s been 11 years from one Canadian Championship to another so that’s a pretty long span.”

Schiffner said without the support of his sponsors, Duralite Trailers and FM trailer World, Wrangler and Conterra he wouldn’t be able to make it as far as he has and he wanted to thank them. 

Impending retirement is one of the questions the 32-year-old bull rider is often asked about. All he could say is he has at least another year in him, and he won’t be hanging up his hat quite yet.