Schiffner gaining confidence

Times Reporter     

 

After a fourth place finish at the Chad Besplug Invitational Rodeo in Claresholm on March 8, Strathmore’s Scott Schiffner had trouble finding a strong finish at rodeos in Medicine Hat and Camrose for the month of April. A first-place finish at the Clunie-Cooper Memorial PBR event in Prince Albert, Sask. from May 2-3 however, has restored his confidence.

“Since Claresholm, I was kind of on a downhill spiral. I hadn’t won much, and I was bucked off quite a bit. That’s part of rodeo – it’s a mental game. You have to figure out how to get over that,” Schiffner said. “I was kind of in a slow run, then last weekend went well.”

Schiffner also competed at the Stavely Rodeo from May 8-10.

“I had a really good early spring,” he said. “I’ve been going to quite a few PBR events.”

From May 17-19, Schiffner will be in British Columbia competing at the Luxton Pro Rodeo and the Falkland Stampede; his big task is Grand Prairie’s Stampede from May 28-June 1.

“Grand Prairie’s got quite a bit more money for us to ride at. When there’s more money added, there’s more competitors – and better competitors. There’s better stock too,” Schiffner said. 

Schiffner has already pre-qualified for the Calgary Stampede, taking place from July 4-13, though he feels his season has been fairly average.

“As I get older, I do a little bit less but I expect more out of myself too. To be honest, the last few weeks I’ve been pretty disappointed in how I’ve performed so this weekend was good to change that,” he said.

Schiffner admits that now, he focuses more time with his family.

“Funny how as your get older, kids trump other things, that’s for sure,” he said.

The main goal is to make PBR Canada Finals in Saskatchewan come November, and Canadian Finals in Edmonton come November; it seems far away, but it’s coming quick for Schiffner.

“It’s amazing how fast the season goes. If you’re not winning, it goes real fast,” he joked.