Schiffner’s last ride

By Adelle Ellis, Times Reporter

Coming into the Canadian Finals Rodeo (CFR) in eighth place and ending his rodeo career as the sixth highest-ranked Canadian bull rider for the 2018 year, but known as the greatest bull rider of all time, Scott Schiffner left his 18th and last CFR in a bittersweet manner – he rode well but he didn’t get that last big win.
Following the announcement of his pending retirement from bull riding during this year’s Calgary Stampede, Schiffner went on to win Edmonton’s K-Days and place third at the Strathmore Stampede to earn him the eighth spot out of the Top 12 bull riders in Canada, securing his slot for this year’s CFR.
“There is no better place to end a person’s career than at the pinnacle of bull riding in Canada … at the end when everything was said and done, I ended up fourth at the CFR and I ended up sixth for the whole year,” said Schiffner. “You always want to win first, no doubt about it, you want to end on a high note.”
Schiffner managed to cover three out of his six bulls at the CFR, which went Oct. 30 through Nov. 4 in Red Deer, Alta. On opening day, Schiffner took fourth with 86.5 points on a bull named Willy Wonka; during the second round he won second with 85 points on Crooked Nose; and on his second last bull he scored 86.5 points on Big Dip to win him second place in the fifth round, placing him in fourth place overall at the 2018 CFR.
Although Schiffner didn’t win first, he rode hard and memorialized himself as forever a strong competitor in the game.
“At the end of the year, it’s my last one and I’m going to walk away with my head held high knowing that I think everyone still thought I could win any day,” said Schiffner. “I wanted to make sure that people still remembered me as a good competitor and someone that wanted to win.”
He added that he counts himself lucky to have done as well as he has and to be able to walk away from the sport in relatively good condition, with a few aches and pains, but still able to chase his kids around and to shift focus to helping them fulfill their dreams.
Schiffner has also taken to helping mentor younger promising riders. He was fortunate enough to have many great riders help him throughout the years and he now hopes to give back some of that experience. Schiffner works with Johansen Brothers Steer Riding School which offers yearly bull riding and steer riding instruction, and he helps out at junior level events to assist up-and-coming kids build their passion for the sport.
“If I can learn anything from them that’s great; and if I can pass along any wisdom I have that’s a bonus too,” said Schiffner.
For now, he will be focusing more time on his family, on working his cow-calf operation, following his daughters around to trick riding, dance and ballet classes, and carrying on his life from there.
Although he was always the one putting his hand in the bull rope, Schiffner attributes all his success to a team effort from his family and everyone else who believed in him.
“Truthfully, I’ve got to take my hat off. I will never be able to repay the debt I owe to (my family) for always sticking behind me, to the fans and the rodeo committees, and the stock contractors and my friends. They’ve given me the opportunity to do things that most people can’t and I owe them a debt of gratitude,” said Schiffner.
“To be my last one, that hasn’t really set in totally yet. It has a little bit, but it’s the end of a chapter in my life and I’ll turn the page to something new now.”